Video of the Week - Mansions of the Lord
This week, we look at one of the possible pieces for next year's Swing Out. The Mansions of the Lord is a Men's Piece (TTBB - in this recording, female altos are being used to cover the high tenor part. We would do something similar) that was originally performed by the West Point Cadet Glee Club as part of the closing credits for the movie We Were Soldiers. Of the piece, the creator of the video clip wrote the following:
"During the closing credits of the movie "We Were Soldiers", I heard this hymn sung by the Cadet Glee Club of West Point. After listening to it over and over, moved by its reverent lyrics sung to a melody that healed a generation of soldiers so unjustly held in scorn and, at the same time, conveying a comforting eternal Truth, I contacted the Glee Club Director Constance Chase and proposed the production. Many of the Glee Club's followers consider this hymn to be the signature performance of the Glee Club. The opportunity to create "Stand Ye Steady" became a reality in 2004.
What makes this hymn so special is that it is based on Scripture from the Gospel of John, Chapter 14:
'Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.'
This is a possible selection for Swing Out theme War and Peace, encompassing songs of patriotism, battle, and the hope for lasting peace.
BASED OFF OF THE PMEA RUBRIC, EVALUATE THE CHOIR'S PERFORMANCE
- The West Point Cadet Glee Club is a student organization at the United States Military Academy at West Point. What do you notice about their posture, their sound, and their accuracy that might lead you to believe that they are all professional musicians?
- The piece was recorded in the chapel on the campus of West Point. Even though the room echos a lot, can you understand their words. Why or why not?
- What do you think of the piece? Is this something that fits the style of what we do? If you are a middle school chorus member, is this something that we can accomplish within the course of a concert season?
- Be sure to answer the questions using some of the terminology on the adjudication form provided to you in class.
A Copy of the PMEA Assessment Rubric can be found here: PMEA Assessment Rubric
Compose your answers in 1-2 paragraphs of approximately 5-8 sentences, and submit either online at:
or email to:
West Point Cadet Glee Club - Constance Chase - The Mansions of the Lord
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