If karma exists, you got a failing grade and all your homework was for naught. That'll teach you to blast loud music in the middle of the night while decent working folk are trying to sleep!

thank you from St. Olaf Manitou singers, this is our practice recording!

As one who has conducted this piece different times with piano or organ or orchestra, I agree sometimes the voices can get overpowered. I think at times that's desirable. (I think this renditon is just about perfect!) Beethoven's orchestral writing is so colorful and glorious, the overall effect is stunning. All those rapid triplets in the strings need to come out to give the rhythmic vitality that drives the piece. I love your comment about "simple" piano. Playing that reduction at full speed is a tremendous challenge! But yes, it's lighter in terms of balance. Either way, Beethoven gave us a glorious taste of heaven here.

I thought I was the only one who heard!

Yes, they are. This piece is much more vocally challenging than it appears. And it’s so easy to “relax” and sing without energy/pitch. Also the sopranos are a bit heavy in their singing - taking the chest voice and vocal weight to the top = flat singing.