"Homeland" - TMEA 2009 Texas All-State Choir, Symphonic Band & Orchestra

This majestic piece opened the first general session of the 2009 TMEA conference in San Antonio. These are the top high school band, orchestra and choir in the state performing Z. Randall Stroope's arrangement of Homeland, based on the Jupiter theme from The Planets by Gustav Holst. This video doesn't do justice to the thrilling sound of more than 500 of the state's best young musicians filling the hall with their music. It was amazing

[@PeaceLovePercussion]

Singing this with group of people from my choir and alumni on Saturday at a funeral... We lost a loved singer of ours, and this was his favorite song. Such a beautiful piece with so much meaning to me.

[@HerrProfessorDoktor]

This was the last meeting of TMEA that I attended before retirement from full-time teaching. Memories of my own student experiences many years ago, my love of Holst's magnificent music, and my knowledge that I was approaching the end of my long run as a teacher were more than I could really handle. It was one of the half-dozen or so most moving and memorable musical moments of my life.

[@shelbymaberry3823]

Texas All-State choirs are superior to the rest because of their selection process. They choose you to sing in the choir based on your ability to sing as a choral singer and how well you know the music, not as a soloist. As a result, you get this beautifully blended, warm sound. Other states do it based on your ability as a soloist. And let's face it, a choir full of soloists is just a recipe for disaster.

[@DaftRetrop]

Not exactly true. Yes, Texas is well known for having a great All-State Choir, but this year the Tennessee All-State Men's Choir was a hell of a choir, and after listening to the Texas TTBB choir I can honestly say they were no better than Tennessee's. The sopranos completely overpower the other parts for a lot of the song, yeah it's good but there is little balance to the parts as it's literally just sopranos at times (to my ear). Also, other states have 2nd tier auditions (or at least Tennessee does) where the singers are judged based on how well they sing the music with other voice parts, so it's not based totally off solo singing, though as a first chair myself, I've learned the best singers will know when to differentiate between choral and solo singing when needed. To be great at singing you must excel at both, I don't know too many great singers who just sound good in a group. My (all-male) school did this song and it's better than this recording, the song in general is much better as TTBB. Plus the instruments drown out the parts of the song where the singing should really shine through. So basically, Texas isn't the crown jewel of American All State choirs. Ill be sure to Listen intently to all the Texas singers at All National in the Fall, if I make it, and then maybe I'll let you know what I think ;)

[@shelbymaberry3823]

Pardon my ignorance. I wasn't aware of the selection process. I have only auditioned for state choirs in New York and Texas as I have not been a resident anywhere else. And while I, as a first chair qualifier in both Texas and New York, two-time NY All-State qualifier, All-Eastern qualifier, and now professional choral and collegiate singer understand the difference between choral and solo singing (as I am also a voice performance major), many other qualifiers who tend to get accepted do not. Which is why I stated that a choir of solo singers is a disaster; because I can recognize the difference. Perhaps I am bias because I used to live there, but it is my personal opinion that Texas turns out some of the best recorded choral music in the country when it comes to state-wide high school auditions. To me, it is the crown jewel. Good luck with Nationals! I hope you are humbled by the experience as I know I would be. You could use a dose of humility in my opinion.

[@DaftRetrop]

Shelby Maberry Sorry for my arrogance, but as a Tennessee singer I am going to back up my state and the choir I sang in! I'm sure you can understand where i was coming from.

[@udb1987]

I am not going to lie, it's something about Texas all-state that puts us at the top. I have listened to other states and I feel they do not even compare!!! Man, I miss being in the mixed choir!!!! Texan born and bred!!!!

[@suki3275]

DaftRetrop That is fairly typical in any choir. You can still hear the altos even through the orchestra but they do not come out as much. Even still, Texas does have an excellent and quite difficult process. Thats how beautiful choirs like this one come together. You memorize your part in a 6 part song (soprano 1&2, alto 1&2, tenor, bass), are prompted to sing in a random part of the song alone, YOU must figure out what part of the song you have to sing based on how the instrumental music sounds, sing in tune, without sheet music, then do a cold sight reading. I never really auditioned but I watched my classmates prepare for months in advance for this. It was amazing. Some of them are visibly in this video. Much respect to the hardworking allstaters out there.

[@AmiraStrawter]

This group gives me goosebumps ! We sang thing this at our Veteran's day ceremony a couple days ago and one of the Veterans cried and it was so sad. My last Veteran's day performance of my high school career ):

[@jordanmonstermurdoc2]

i am soo amazed by this choir and this ochestra it is so beautiful. and that descant part at the end amazing powerfull and beautiful. if u were in this choir under this mans direction u should be extremely proud of your self. and the bass1's and bass2's outstanding im a bass 1 and i would kill to sing this song at my school. once again fantastic job. every one of you and expecially the those soprano 1's that are apparently freaks of nature.

[@babblingmongoose]

"But the ruts run deep..." is seriously the most beautiful line in the entire song. So emotional. :)

[@blazilfrazil2]

after i performed this i fell in love with it, couldnt get it out my head

[@charleneschofield9551]

This is the real Texas and the real America that we love.

[@GPDL09]

i am so blessed and honored to have been in THIS group.. at THIS time..

[@Tonex312]

i love this song so much we we're supposed to do it for all state I was so excited i practiced and practiced and practiced and the day I was supposed to go I got sick and lost my voice I was tenor 1 I was devastated

[@andymilstenmusic8520]

Awww damn that sucks so bad, I feel so, so sorry for you. Yeah sickness is so evil, it ruins everything!!!

[@kmills62]

This is about the 50th time I've heard this (but, not over the past year) and even now it brings tears...wow, what a beautiful sound!

[@hiphopman610]

I sang this song when I was in All County in New York and I was 1st Tenor and we didn't have an orchestra,you guys were good!

[@Muoiix3]

love how texas' choirs actually know how to decresendo and cresendo!! other states stay the same lol. LOVE TEXAS' choir!!!

[@RobLobstuhh]

holy crap this piece is unexpected. it brought tears to my eyes.

[@udb1987]

I'm from Texas and I will gloat that we do have the best in the nation.

[@canyoubelievethis220]

I don't think I could hear a better version of this unless I was in heaven. Awesome job, awesome choir, awesome orchestra. Totally awesome!

[@samstandley8082]

I sang this piece in my high school choir and kind of teared up the first time we sang it. It's so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@timcmillan10]

This was probably my most favorite piece we performed I never get to perform with a orchestra much less choir and it couldn't get any better than with the States best I'll never forget this

[@prestokrevlar]

Though the road has bends and turns, and my spirit suffers: humans fail, systems fail, shadows fall...but the ruts run deep...cut by the blood of faces above, and voices now silent, but the message loud is heard: HOMELAND, HOMELAND! Renew your youth, restore your soul...Homeland, the country that I love, hold out your arms to me. I strive for you and give you the best I hope to be. My homeland, compassion be your sword! My your strength be forged with mercy, your courage lives restore.

[@cgchick27]

This was beautifully performed. I preformed this song when I was in youth choir 8 years ago and it made me tear up thinking about how wonderful this song is.

[@suki3275]

this brings back memories.

[@udb1987]

Brings back memories of all-region. We did this song in my junior year of mixed choir.

[@MatthewCroftMusic]

I'd played through the full score (orchestral setting) of this song, accompanied 2 choirs with it, and sang tenor myself on it. Nothing compares to hearing it in a glorious setting like this. And kudos to the violin section for sounding rich and in tune - not always easy to do with high school musicians!

[@udb1987]

I remember singing this in All-Region Mixed choir in 2004 in Texas. Man loved this song and Ave Maris Stella!

[@JATD913]

ive sung this before and the addition of the orchestra really adds a lot of emotion to the song, the one complaint i have is the tenors and women seem to be either left out or overpowered a lot in the song other than that incredible

[@Tahshi187]

NO ONE OR NO OTHER ALL-STATE CHOIRS IN THE NATION CAN COMPARE TO THE TEXAS ALL-STATE CHOIRS (ESPECIALLY THE TEXAS ALL-STATE MIXED CHOIR)

[@colinnolan2212]

Jupiter is the most beautiful piece of music.. ever conceived. Holst is a legend

[@BoraHaeYAYA]

This just plucked my heart strings and touched my soul

[@iLY0X8]

oh my gosh. i got chills and tears in my eyes. this was BEAUTIFUL.

[@LovaticAndJesusLover]

this choir is extremely amazing and beautiful and executed this song perfectly but to say they're the best in the entire nation is a matter of opinion in reality.

[@adrianetteable]

Beautiful!

[@hannahbrandon1]

@RazorbladeRachel omg, I was in the Northern Kentuckt Honor's Choir. We totally rocked that auditorium.

[@TkFtrd1]

I performed this song with the Northern Kentucky University Honor choir where the local highschool kids all come together and sing as a part of the select group chosen by NKU I beleive we had slightly less than 200 kids involved it is an incredible piece!

[@pulena51]

Homeland was my ultimate favorite piece of all times until Hard Times made us cry in rehearsal; then there was a tie. I loved to sing these two songs and I was sad when they took the Homeland score sheet away from us right after that concert... :(

[@KatieKo0223]

I am singing this for my national choir competition! Wish me luck!

[@jedipwnces]

This is fantastic...

[@kmills62]

3:01 makes the hair on my neck stand up...that is an amazingly moving part of this gorgeously beautiful choral work.

[@babblingmongoose]

but with this arrangement, the sadness of those words is emphasized, which in turn makes the remainder of the song more powerful.

[@JessieJay13]

my school sang this last year!!!

[@TheDon10120]

I'm from PA and we have a very good choir program up here. But you guys just rocked this piece. Thank you for this beautiful performance and the upload so people as far away as i am can see it.

[@littletambo]

I was 1st Chair Bass 2 in this Choir. It WAS amazing.

[@bwadykstra]

While all are good, it is often easy to tell from what state a choir is organized. For instance, minnesota choirs often have very similar techniques, very distinct sounds. Same with Michigan and Texas. Minnesota, Texas, New York, and Michigan are fairly widely recognized as having some of the finest choral programs in the country, and ALWAYS have IMPECCABLE All-States.

[@fretdemon123]

We're singing this song tomorrow for my high school's concert. I cry every time that i sing it, and I'm fucking proud to admit that.

[@benvasko]

i was in concert band this year- tuba 7(i'm gonna practice my chair music this year :) that stage is puny- we had 10 tubas and we were staggered across the stage- i kept bumping into the timpini :) good times- cant wait for the next three years!

[@li.nasian]

Oh God, why does song make me cry so much?

[@megansoad16]

wow wow;; I hope I make All State band;;; It's bee my goal for three years; im a 8th grader; im going as a freshman for experience, I know i dont have a chnace now lol but one day i will. i want to be a part of something amazing like this. texas has amazing musicians and directors!

[@alyssacroacia]

Stunning! I was just listening to The Planets... :)

[@MistaTwigz]

My college choir did this accompanied by the brass ensemble and a stirring video of images of Iraq War trrops. This video almost equals the sound of a college choir.

[@RangerLovingLonghorn]

As lame as this is going to sound, I sang this song in a Metroplex Honor Choir of sorts way back in middle school with help of a local high school. Of course, that does not compare to this wonderful performance of it. I enjoyed it and have always liked this piece. Well done, guys.

[@whateverfin]

I was in this ensemble! 1st horn!

[@prestokrevlar]

Homeland, the country that I love, forever reign supreme. And when time stands still, my homeland, may heaven hold your dream...My homeland, be my dream! My hope! Homeland! Homeland! Aaaa-AAAAAAAHH!

[@klins061]

This is a very nice arrangement for the piece. I heard this when the women's choir performed it for 2007 Oregon All State. The one thing they did that I liked better and I would've changed was on the words "Humans fail, systems fail". Instead of being legato and quiet there, be loud and accent them. I think the interpretation is supposed to sound cynical there, not dismal. We cannot rely on humans to band together and succeed, this is the harsh reality instead of the nostalgic ideal.

[@EmilyDrumMusic]

Incredible. Even with this horrible sound quality I get chills. Can't imagine how glorious it would've sounded in person

[@tjschafe]

Almost cried. I support the troops!

[@mwdot12]

You can do whatever you say you will do, kiddo, it can definitely happen with practice!

[@rapidd9]

oooooh i'm aiming towards the all-state choir in my freshman year ^-^

[@texastechnichols15]

we sung this last year in my choir...Permian High

[@RazorbladeRachel]

Kentucky Honor Choir is doing this piece this year, and im in it. and 2:30 to 3:30 alomst makes me cry.

[@bigw2012]

I would be estatic to be in a choir like this. I have pre area this tuesday. I made 3rd at region, so we'll see what happens......

[@adrianetteable]

Amazing.

[@jck1794]

ahhh, 3:00 never fails to give me chills

[@benvasko]

i had the same plan, and fufilled my late band directors wish- to make all-state as a freshman on tuba and hopefully all four years- anything is possible

[@prestokrevlar]

Musicmusicmusic---I vow to you my country, all earthly things above, entire and whole and perfect the service of my love. The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best. The love that never falters, the love that pays the price. The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

[@5emilylewis]

Wow. Goosebumps!

[@kmills62]

damn, I gotta stop playing this...it chokes me up almost every time!

[@ErinArroz]

Amazing! Oklahoma's all-state is singing this this year.

[@blazilfrazil2]

i wish i was there, id have been the happiest singer there

[@kmills62]

Damn it! Right at 2:00 where the huge booming crescendo is, always gets me and I know it's coming but it always affects me.

[@ChrisBier5]

Some talented Highschool kids!

[@suki3275]

i think i see a few people i know in here :o it started out slow but the middle part was incredible!

[@Ancalagon4554]

Zero dislikes. That's right.

[@pixygiggler]

we are going to perform this BUT THIS IS TOO AMAZING

[@ejm51395]

:) So beautiful. :) I'm singing this song in FCCC, and it is so hard and quite the work out but it's so worth it. :')

[@SiberianThunderT]

Goosebumps at 3:00 Nice. ^.^ I love this song.

[@nofattyindapatty]

wow, this is epic, haha puts my choir to shame when we sang this! XD

[@midnightsmoothie]

Excellent!!! but one comment: I could barely hear the sopranos except for the really high notes. They were a little drowned out by the men. So, something to be sure of. but this really was excellent. :D

[@JessieJay13]

nuh-uh!!! FLORIDA All-State choir is obviously the best!! (

[@Ichorose]

SPLENDID

[@monochromaticpurple]

I actually still have the music from a few years ago (granted it's only S.S.A. )

[@Bejulep]

sung this for choir ;D On the 13th.

[@robertetupper]

@oneonetwosix1126 Most kids spend months learning the music cold before competing for a coveted slot. When they get together, it's just to polish.

[@killer29209]

TENOR POWER!!!!!

[@SpeshulDan]

what a beautiful performance but i must admit i like 'I Vow To Thee, My Country' better but i would because i'm british

[@Celebk1]

don't get me wrong I understand why the instrumentalists are in front but acoustically it doesn't make sense. The singers are drowned out at some of the most excited vocal parts of the song. My senior year I sang in a veterans day concert with the band playing with us and it was a little aggravating because the choral kids weren't seen and it was hard to hear each other blending was difficult overall not the best concert for us but it didn't matter because no one could hear us anyway. at least there was enough singers in this choir that it was still able to sound AMAZING! I absolutely love this song and they did it justice!

[@darthpeanut112]

The singers are in the back because that is in accordance with traditional orchestral arrangement. Having them in the back creates a fantastic tonal blend that would be otherwise lost if they were in the front.

[@Celebk1]

I understand the theory and logic behind it, but this song would have been better without the orchestra drowning out the voices that's just my opinion

[@TacticalAce121]

I performed this piece with my high school wind ensemble and chorus. The singers were placed in front of the band and it blended perfectly! Everything sounded great.

[@justinphillips6930]

+carrie Kitchen you are not to bright are you now?

[@peytoncornn2727]

+Justin Phillips Says the one who can't tell the difference between to and too.

[@saracowley2106]

I'm looking to order this piece but am only finding instrumental parts for brass and percussion. Anyone know where I can get woodwind and string parts, too? Thanks in advance.

[@Renbirde]

It is. At least, part of it is.

[@2sleepysleepy2]

Ladies and gents: Only in Texas.

[@kinorobloodlust]

I came.

[@joshjones6674]

Sounds like Holst to me.

[@Annicamd]

Josh Jones it is

[@mstrTHEO1]

How is this not our National Anthem??

[@flaganpetska6179]

Kris Theodoseau it was written by an Englishman I believe.

[@gmangwilliam]

... no, I've meet Dr. Stroope... he is very American...

[@flaganpetska6179]

grayson gwilliam I guess you're right. For some reason I thought he was English

[@ericcooley4618]

Flagan Petska the hymn tune is English. Stroope penned this arrangement.

[@babblingmongoose]

@Ancalagon4554 Le Sigh. Someone just HAD to dislike it, after you said that! :P

[@prestokrevlar]

See replies for lyrics...

[@czechboy007]

no way....Chi-hi choir sang it as good as them...at least! :-)

[@georgelaurne6178]

lol i see scott hoying from pentatonix

[@cbb3480]

OH MY GOD

[@haileyyeargin8989]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

[@eienbeau]

There should be Mitch Grassi too. Both of them were rosters for the all state mixed choir in 2009.

[@michaelnguyen8936]

also kirstin too lol

[@steelvenom2003]

Says "01txguy." Not that you're biased or anything.

[@EscapeTheFateCRAIG]

That's just a little conceded, hm?

[@steelvenom2003]

@01txguy Calm down. Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois are all as good as Texas.

[@JessieJay13]

do you mean conceited? (not being rude, just wondering)