Libera sings "America the Beautiful"

As the United States of America remembers those men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives in defense of their country, Libera, the boys' choir from the south of London, has released a recording of "America the Beautiful," which I hope you will enjoy:

Bruno Mars is right: Something sings in Hawaii

I do not know the music of Bruno Mars (in fact, I can only think of one song he sings), but I know he is a musician from Hawaii. A little while ago, I saw a quote attributed to him:

A little more than four years ago, I wrote something very similar:

In their beautiful singing of “Something sings,” the boys of Libera sing, “But in the dark and cold of things, there always, always something sings.” In the Land of Aloha, something always sings within me. Something sings from the blue skies, from the rainbows, from the joyful Hawaiians, from the deep waters, from the forests and from the mountains and stars. Somethings sings, calling to me.

It is something I cannot fully put into words, and I feel it most deeply in Hawaii.

What is it that sings in Hawaii? You'll have to read the original post.

Libera returns to St. Louis

Today I received news that brought both great joy and great disappointment: Libera, the boys choir from the south of London, will return to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis on August 3rd.  That is the good news; that bad is that I can't go.
Here follows the e-mail I received from the Cathedral Concert Series, with my emphases and comments:

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 7:30 PM

LIBERA is coming back by popular demand!

You heard the unique, heavenly sound of LIBERA last summer [it was a glorious time and it lifted my spirits near the heights of heaven], so you know to prepare yourself for something very special indeed.

The boys who make up the South London based vocal band Libera have been described as “normal” and “ordinary”. However, as their recordings and performances demonstrate, the music they produce is anything but. With shimmering, mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies, often performed in Latin, they are unlike any other group you have ever heard [this is no exaggeration]. These are truly sounds to lift the soul. Celestial sounds for a new time.

Familiar to audiences across the world, the boys have a stunningly original sound, which is at once both ancient and modern [it's truly amazing and wondrous]. Their distinctive flowing white robes symbolise the traditional origins of their style - yet their music reaches across the generations to a new mainstream audience.  Libera’s success in album charts around the world bears witness to the extraordinary appeal of this unique ‘boy band’.   Enchanting audiences wherever they go, they have attracted an enthusiastic fan base in many countries, particularly the US, UK, Japan, the Philippines and Korea.

Tickets:
Section 1: $40 [these are well worth the price and are really worth much more]
Section 2: $25 ($15 student with ID, $10 Children 16 and under

This concert WILL sell out, so call soon, or order online at CathedralConcerts.org .  Groups welcome!

If you're free that evening, the concert will be well worth your time.  Here's a bit of a preview:



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On the concert

Last evening's concert of Libera at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis marked the last of the Cathedral Concerts under the guidance of Dr. John Romeri, who memborably described Libera as "not your mother's boys choir."

The concert was, to say the least, memorable, moving and most enjoyable. To hear the beautiful harmony of the boys and to see the enthusiasm and joy with which they sing was a great delight.

There are some forty boys in the choir school and twenty-two of them were present for the concert. Afterwards they signed CDs and programs and chatted with their audience.

All in all, it was a magnificent evening and well worth the four hours of sleep I had last night after my return trip to Auburn.

And now, for your listening pleasure on this Feast of the Transfiguration, hear Libera sing "How Shall I Sing That Majesty?":



Sadly, photography was not permitted during the concert, but I did manage to take a picture of some of the boys at their table as they signed various items. My camera isn't handy at the moment, but I'll try to post that later for you.

It won't be long

...before I'm hearing Libera in concert at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis:

I can't wait!

The award winning boys choir Libera will be singing at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (in St. Louis) at 7:30 p.m. on August 5th, 2010. I've already purchased my ticket; you can buy yours here.

And now, a little taste of the glories that await you if you attend:

What a delight!

On their Facebook fan page I saw today that Libera's new album, Peace, is available for pre-order on Amazon and you can even listen to the songs on the album (from the right sidebar)!


It's wonderful, and will be released April 6th!

I've written the happy news on my calendar and will download it through iTunes.


It looks as though the release date has been pushed back a month from what I posted earlier.


For your listening and viewing please, here is a video of the song "Time" from the forthcoming album:

Of all of the songs on the album, I think "Exultate" is my favorite.

Good news from Libera

Libera's new album Peace will be released in the United States March 8th.

Here's a music video of one of the tracks:

Gaudete!

Libera on YouTube

I've just learned my favorite choir, Libera, now has a YouTube channel.

Guadete, Christus es natus!

A musical treat

When a knight won his spurs in the stories of old
He was gentle and brave he was gallant and bold
With a shield on his arm and a lance in his hand
For God and for valor he rode through the land

No charger have I, and no sword by my side
Yet still to adventure and battle I ride
Though back into storyland giants have fled
And the knights are no more and the dragons are dead

Let faith be my shield and let joy be my steed
Against the dragons of anger the ogres of greed
And let me set free with the sword of my youth
From the castle of darkness the power of the truth

Just for a day or two

Must have music

One of the few pleasures - it was a chilly, windy, rainy day - of arriving early at Yankee Stadium in New York City for the Papal Mass was the pre-Mass Concert of Hope. It was comprised of organ pieces with lots of Handel and various musical groups performing.

I was introduced to a boys' choir from England - it seems the best singers all are - called Libera. They are outstanding!

I had sitting in my desk drawer several coupons for free CDs from a music company - you know, the buy one get ten free kind - so I ordered four of their CDs and have been extremely satisified.
I think this group might even sing a song or two on the soundtrack of the movie Millions (which is also very good), but I haven't checked that yet.

Here is Libera singing my favorite of their songs - Sanctus - in New York City:



Listening to them it's very easy to understand why choirs for the first many centuries of the Church were comprised of only boys. The world needs more choirs of their caliber!