It Gets Better: "Testimony" by SF Gay Men's Chorus & Stephen Schwartz

TESTIMONY - Music by Stephen Schwartz
Lyrics taken from and inspired by the It Gets Better Project
bit.ly/Testimon...
In writing TESTIMONY, Stephen Schwartz collaborated with Dan Savage, creator of the groundbreaking "It Gets Better Project." Schwartz has set the heartfelt words from the "It Gets Better" videos to music, weaving them into a breathtaking, emotional new masterpiece that speaks to anyone who has ever felt out of place.
TESTIMONY was recorded and mixed by Leslie Ann Jones and Dann Thompson, with Judy Kirschner (assistant engineer) on The Scoring Stage at Skywalker Sound, a Lucasfilm, Ltd. company, Marin County, CA. Performed by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus under the direction of Dr. Timothy Seelig.
DOWNLOAD THE SONG
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Testimony Video
Paul Saccone, Producer
Walt Shires, Director
Darya Gol, Assistant Director
Production Crew: Salvatore Catanzaro, Manny Gallegos, Roger Graham, William Henderson, Travis Huntington, Chris Kohler, Ramin Mehrabani, Kaveh Nikpour, Mike Tyson, and Randy Ubillos
SFGMC Website - www.sfgmc.org
SFGMC Facebook - / sfgmc
SFGMC Twitter - / sfgmc
SFGMC KZbin - / sfgmcvideo
SFGMC Pinterest - / sfgmc
SFGMC about.me - about.me/sfgmc

[@bethbrittenbach3301]

This gives hope and a way forward to anyone who is lost--gay or straight--if you have no one to support you come here--several times a day. Know you are important and loved and YOU MATTER!!. Blessings to all.

[@curtispsf]

Thank you Stephen Schwartz, Dr. Tim Seelig and EVERYONE at SFGMC, SkyWalker Ranch and volunteers from Apple (video) for daring to undertake and be a part of a project like Testimony. I was there, I sang and the tears, heartbreak and happiness we all experienced getting this song ready and performing it will resonate in our hearts forever. WE are forever changed and Testimony WILL save the lives of OTHERS. Truly historical!

[@billbb46]

This is deeply moving. Yes, spread the light and the love.

[@MrDuboce]

This is a song of triumph. Thank you Stephen Schwartz for your sensitivity to the subject, and of course, the musicality is off the charts. A home run if ever there was one.

[@RobbieMartin]

you are all heroes. thank you thank you thank you!

[@ieguy3]

Part of me "hates" you for dredging up memories I've long thought buried over the years, but most of me wants to thank you for giving voice to something many still go through at this moment -- something I fought hard my whole life to help avoid. Thank you all - composer, artists, conductor and most especially all of "us" who've had someone to help us get through what we did.

[@paulfoley3222]

Singing this in June here with the KGMC. Even at 47, it brings up so many deep emotions of the times in my life when I thought all hope was gone, that I was almost given over to despair. As a young man facing the beginning and continuing pandemic of HIV/AIDS, homophobia, inequal rights, hatred from bigots, fear that I would never find love, rejection. I cry each time I hear it, and wonder how I can ever sing it through the tears that come each time. But you feel it so deeply, each time I feel like I let a little bit more of that pain go away, for good. It gets better.

[@kentuttin]

Makes me cry. I share these feelings and knowing that i am not alone, makes me stronger every day. I hear ya, it indeed gets more than better!

[@sfociscogmail]

I'm crying too. That line "When it's my time to go, I want to come back...... as Me" hit me hard in the heart. I know these feelings to well. This is how I felt when I attempted suicide in high school. I would have missed my first kiss, my partner, my daughter... and life more beautiful that I could have ever imagined. Yes, indeed. Thank you Stephen Schwartz and SFGMC.

[@leighbesstoad]

Thanks to HuffPo for posting an article about the SFGMC and their link to this video. What an amazing piece of music by an incredible chorus who believes every word and sing with the conviction which carries this song. Thank you Stephen Schwartz for this amazing contribution to the It Gets Better Project. I'm not sure it gets better than this though. Simply amazing. And more than a few tears

[@JJSF2]

Thank you Stephen Schwartz for this wonderful gift to the world. This song and you are amazing and astounding.

[@martinguerra4730]

This video inspires me to be grateful for all the angels and friends in my life who helped me unlearn all the hopelessly wrong messages of self-doubt and who instead guided me to the joy of being simply who I am. These are the messages I take to heart now: "You belong." and "God loves you the way you are, not the way you think you're supposed to be." Thank you SFGMC and Dr. Seelig for continuing to spread the truth through music sung beautifully.

[@ffamsterdam]

Goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes, what can I say more..

[@jtinsfo]

A great day for a great organization - I am so proud to sing with these beautiful men. Let this work shine a caring and healing light on anyone who is suffering because they are different.

[@calspace]

I love Steven Schwartz and I love this piece of music. I hope every child who is uncertain of his or her place in life, gay or straight, gets a chance to hear this.

[@danfromnva]

Fortunately the ears keep working even when the eyes are filled with tears. Beautiful...and beautifully done. I sang with the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington for 18 years, and moments and messages like this are the reason why. Thanks, gents.

[@immabandgeek05]

Wow, I was in tears almost the entire song. I just joined the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus and for our next concert, we are singing this song. I had never heard of this song until the first rehearsal last night, and even then, we didn't do the entire song, we went over the end of the song. I am excited to see (and hear) our version of this song. The SFGMC was AMAZING! And highly recommend everyone watch this video!!

[@RLSSacCA]

Words can not describe how this makes me feel. This is an extrordinary work. Thank you, SFGMC and Stephen Schwarz.

[@rhelenem]

I saw this performed last night and cried then, and just cried again rewatching it. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

[@malphone7940]

7:09 I kept it in until then. I almost made it through without crying. But seeing them smiling, happy and loving themselves for who they are...I cried like a damn baby.

[@christarista]

I was fortunate to see this live last night at Davies Symphony Hall. The audience was captivated and the air felt charged with emotion. I doubt there were many dry eyes in entire building.

[@saltovar]

One of the most amazing experiences, in my life, was to be present when this was sung last night at the SFGMC Concert. To see an entire audience touched and moved with a powerful song as this made me proud to be a part of the "It Gets Better" movement. Mr. Schwartz, your vision with this song and many voices of the San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus will be save many lives. I am sending this to a friend who needs to hear this song. Bravo to Mr. Schwartz, SFGMC, and Dan Savage.

[@indigowithstars]

Glorious singing and a powerful message. I am weeping.

[@emartino138]

I am grateful to have experienced this, and profoundly moved to have been able to see my baby brothers face in the chorus. It allowed me to share his experience in such a unique way. Dan Savage, Thank you for your strength!

[@a19musician88]

It is quickly becoming obvious to me that everyone should hear this piece at least once, after which they will want to listen to it again and again. What I would give to hear this group performing it live..Oh, and haloshepard, while we may not be there for you in person, know that there are millions of people in this world who will stand behind you. It's nice when other people like you for who you are, but it's more important that you like you for who you are. You are perfect just by being you.

[@peggypisocpo]

Touched deeply. Thank you for explaining what my brother had lived in his 50 years before he became himself for the first time. I am able to support him all the more now.. xoxoxo

[@NotesToMe]

As a bisexual woman married to a trans woman . . . I can say that it DOES get better. It DOES get amazing!

[@NotesToMe]

That being said, I still can’t even watch this video without crying like a baby for my younger self 😭

[@BlindNewfie]

Can't say much about my personal jerney here but this always makes me cry too. There are so many days I wonder if it really does change. Today is one of those days. I am ftm and this song touches me every time. Sitting here crying

[@FetishEwing]

As inspired and uplifted this testimony has made you, Mr. Coville, you've been just as inspiring for a generation of readers. I, for one, as a childhood stutterer, read your books about Jennifer Murdley, who had issues with her appearance, or Charlie Eggleston, who was a good kid, but always seemed to do bad things (exactly like how I was) and so many of the other different, and disenfranchised, and misunderstood children in your books who their own glorious finale was always within reach.

[@jtinsfo]

First, thank you for your beautiful son and for joining us this week. And we just popped to 5,000 views so we are making progress.

[@GrandmaofMac]

Heartbreaking and beautiful. You made me cry.

[@MATTinRENO]

This is one of the most uplifting, wonderful and emotional pieces of music I have ever experienced, and live in Denver last week it was overwhelmingly powerful. As a lifelong GLBT activist, it reminds me of why I do what I do, give where I give, and serve where I serve. Because "it gets more than better, it gets amazing and astounding" and everyone should have the experience of being out, proud and happy. Thank you SFGMC. You guys are amazing and astounding as well!

[@pantowriter]

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. If you're watching and English is not your first language...There are subtitles. Press the CC button below the image.

[@larryocca]

What a wonderful video. Thank you SFGMC and Stephen Schwartz. You are making this world a better place!

[@seanchapin1]

It's the most beautiful song that I have ever heard. Thank you Stephen Schwartz and SFGMC for this glorious and triumphant gift to humanity.

[@kateray6477]

I saw this last night at the Boston Gay Men's Chorus. Everyone around me, including myself, was crying. The room went silent. Beautiful piece.

[@FetishEwing]

If anyone should make an It Gets Better video, Mr. Coville, it's you. You've definitely shown me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

[@jeanfitzday]

I also was fortunate, to see this performed yesterday by the Boston Gay Men's Chorus. Such a powerful piece, a song for the ages, a message of hope.

[@SFbigcelt]

I saw this performed last night, and was moved to tears. I thought of the great sorrow of all the people who have killed themselves, because they thought things would never get better. I pray that anyone who is considering suicide because they can not accept who they are will see this video and re-think such a final act. There may be diificulties ahead, but the chance for an amazing life will be cut off for good. Stay strong, and you will triumph. It gets better!

[@JayJonson1]

A beautiful song beautifully performed. Thank you Stephen Schwartz and the SFGMC.

[@TheGreggster63]

I heard this performed yesterday in Denver by the GMCSF and can honestly say I've never been this moved by a piece of music. It is so honest, so true, and so very beautiful.

[@Tactixdtoid]

Its such an emotional song. Many of us cant get through it without tearing up!

[@thejeffreytaylor]

Such a privilege to have sung this. So proud that singing with SFGMC is my chosen team sport. May you all experience being a part of such a loving community.

[@ryrycalguy]

The fact that there are dislikes is reason enough to have inspirational pieces like this. Heartbreaking, hopeful, and beautiful all at the same time.

[@MattySwenson]

I am honored to know so many of the amazing men in this video. Each one with their own story proving that each day it does in fact get better. Beautiful work boys.

[@AxeMoose]

Outstanding. A joy to listen to this great message.

[@justdar]

Fabulous! Thank you SFGMC & especially Stephen Schwartz

[@ryanhomcy7759]

We listened to this recording today in choir class and I was crying like a baby. Like I couldn't breathe I was crying so hard.

[@XavierGuillaume]

+Ryan Homcy I almost started crying on the part that goes, "And when I die, ... and when it's my time to go..." even though it is about death, it feel so full of hope!

[@bethbrittenbach3301]

I cry every day too. Many times a day. But this chorus gives me solace. I hope it does you, too. Hang in there.

[@SFLeatherBear]

Thank you (from a Bass)! Dr. Tim Seelig, the Artistic Director and Conductor of SFGMC, is an amazingly talented man and conveys perfectly the sound he wants us to produce. Not only in this piece, but across the board, he has taken SFGMC to a completely new level of performance and it will only get better from here.

[@rgrimsinger]

I am so proud to be a part of this...it will surely change lives!

[@jonathanjones4906]

I love how exquisitely the lyrics of this song put words to my own personal journey. I love the line that says "I'd want to come back as me." It's astounding to think back on how I used to feel about myself, and how I thought everyone else felt about me, and to know that I truly would come back as myself, unchanged. Stunning. Beautiful. Perfection.

[@MereMusic78]

I heard the chorus perform this beautiful piece of art at GALA 2012....it’s just as powerful today. I’m sobbing! Amazing job, gentleman! 💙

[@phasenkontrast99]

great great great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@marcusroush6461]

....simply awesome....inspiring........wow.

[@ronviers9700]

It there is such a thing as a "miracle" for a 12 year old gay child, well, this may be it. Almost 50 years later, I wish I could have seen and known this back then. My life may have been much different. Tears and gratitude....

[@JerkyPuck]

We (CGMC) are singing this incredible piece tomorrow. We send all of you in San Fran our love and brotherhood and know you will be singing with us. Love from Columbus!

[@soulstatoo]

Wow - amazing! An impersonator. To find the courage and strength to be who we are and like it, to want to be me. What a challenge - to wait long enough for that to happen. I am moved every time I listen. Such beautiful music, words and voices...and people. I am blessed.

[@zintrepid55]

Guau...realmente muy emotivo....me llego al corazon...la letra..la interpretacion....es como que alguien te lee el corazon....me siento acompañado.....gracias por esta melodia por la interpretacion y sobre todo por la calidez que dan

[@rachel237linda]

This is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. I'm crying.

[@thejeffreytaylor]

Be relentless in your search to find the supportive community that resonates for you. I promise you, it's out there.

[@scottinphoenix]

Ok I can't stop crying. Amazing music, lyrics, and video. Great job guys !!!

[@SFLeatherBear]

Please be respectful! There's no need for that kind of attack. First of all, Izzy is one of the chorus members who performed this piece. Second, this video is about accepting people for who they are - regardless of whether their "difference" is sexual orientation, race, disability, social misfit, or whatever. While it is based on "It Gets Better, the song is not just about LGBT bullying. It is for anyone who has ever been made to feel less than perfect, less than loved, less than accepted.

[@roykozina]

I don't think I've ever been as moved by a piece of music as much as this. I've watched it numerous times and I still can't get through it without stuggling to hold back the tears. How did they know me so well? How did they read my memories? At the end of the video, I'm struck by a profound emotion that I can't place. Is it overwhelming grief at having needlessly wasted so much of my life in pain? Or is it overwhelming gratitude and joy for having finally found me? I think it's more the latter.

[@donaldrickels4971]

I have yet to get thru this without crying. And even having sung it with Nashville in Harmony as a member of the Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus and now we're singing it on our own..and it still gets me everytime! What amazing song writing!

[@brucecoville]

I had a hard time with the opening, because it is so negative, so painful. But then I realized it was simply channeling the real and horrible pain that people have felt. And the way this turns and goes to such an uplifting finale. Sheer beauty. As are the voices. Just glorious.

[@DrSmartyPantss]

Wow guys! This is absolutely amazing! Thank you for all you to make it get better for all of us!

[@hertiara]

Simply beautiful!

[@bri415an]

Cette musique va toucher votre cœur. Il est l'une des choses les plus extraordinaires et importantes que j'ai jamais fait, et je désespérément envie de partager le message de cette chanson avec tout le monde qui n'a jamais senti seul ou en dehors du lieu. Alors s'il vous plaît écoutez-le, et de le partager avec tout le monde vous le savez, puis de les partager avec un inconnu. Vous ne savez jamais qui pourrait être à l'écoute. Vous ne savez jamais, dont la vie vous pourriez être sauver.

[@mike5chico]

Sam's face at the end is so Adorable!!!!!!!

[@malfaro831]

I am so proud of my brothers in San Francisco and I am proud to make sure everyone I know, knows about this video. SFGMC and It Gets Better share a common goal. To make sure people know they are never alone. That there are people out there who care. In my 4 and a half years with SFGMC I felt and still feel these men are angles with love and support to not only the gay community but anyone who needs support. Keep singing guys. It does get better and you help make it so.

[@Geofman72]

Absolutely amazing! What can I say, I as there and I can't believe how astonishing this is. A moment that will live in my heart forever.

[@LAXbeast88]

It feels good to be straight person and to see all of these people who i view as equals knowing they deserve to be equals. my best friend is gay and he is one of the best people i know. i have always been there for him to help him through whatever difficult times he has had whether it be suicidal thoughts, or just loneliness. everyone deserves a chance to be happy and im happy to say i have helped someone one achieve that. i love all of you

[@tocxanh]

Change a life. Save a life. Share this.

[@Compumavengal]

I understand. Many of us who had been bullied as kids resonate with the theme of the song. I wish someone would have listened and protected you. And me. And all the others who went through hell during school. You did a great job on the video. Congratulations and better times.

[@TheDrESusan]

I had the privilege of singing "Testimony" with The Asheville Choral Society in its May 2015 concert. We had to have many, many rehearsals because every time we rehearsed it the choristers were crying. We had to get past our own personal emotional responses in order to share it with the audience.

[@Tactixdtoid]

So proud to have been a part of this project. One of the most amazing and astounding things I've ever had the honor of doing. Thanks to Stephen Schwartz for this beautiful piece of music!

[@smzeoanne3591]

The first time I watched your video I was touched by your words. Now, watching it once again, I wept like a child. I wept for the children that feel there is no other way out but to end their young, tender lives. I wept for the atrocities done by those who can't understand that it's not a choice. I wept for all the heartbreaks, the words that cut deeper than any knife could. I wept because I love my gay children, because I love you. Im a hetero mother who wants Love in the world. Hang on Strong!

[@Turanga1i1a]

To come out on top after a lifelong barrage of attacks, dear lady, you are a hero!

[@YesItsMeGuys68]

that was mighty powerful stuff ... it left a lump in my throat

[@eriakwinner]

At 4:40 it is just beautiful. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. It is a beautiful song with a beautiful meaning. Who cares if they guys singing it are gay or straight? What matters most is the music they are singing. They sound amazing.

[@Starmadien2019]

I would have missed the sunsets, so unique so beautiful like every individual. I would have missed friends that love me and support me. I would have missed amazing parties with others just like me. I would have missed so much of life. I would have missed my future. Bring me that horizon, I'm not afraid anymore.

[@rebeccafromherz]

Absolutely GORGEOUS. BRAVI!!!!!

[@FetishEwing]

You have always been a champion of the ones outside of what is supposed to be "correct." And growing up and realizing that I am gay, I took your stories, and ONLY yours, with me. And your words convinced me that everyone else may say that there's something wrong with me, and I didn't have a fairy godfather like in your story, but, deep down, I knew that I'd find my happy ending, and my "prince charming." I haven't found him yet, but I will. You very well may have saved my life, Mr. Coville.

[@SFLeatherBear]

It is difficult to sing this without choking up. I managed to get through the performance both nights, but lost it at the end when we hugged each other at the end. It still make me misty each time I watch this.

[@bonncaruso]

I watched it. Beautiful work, beautifully written, and more importantly, truly beautifully sung. Whoever did the coaching with this fine chorus really did his work, and he did it well: intonation, legato, diction, word stress, ease of voice (esp. Tenor I), fantastic Bass fundament - all of these things 1A. A pleasure to hear and to watch. You have a straight ally here...one who would like to hear more from your truly fine and musically advanced chorus. Best wishes to all of you.

[@kimakotrotman6860]

So touching!

[@toltschin]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@Briarboyfl]

Incredibly beautiful & awesomely amazing! For me, this song & it's presentation reminds me of why I'm glad that I was somehow able to rise above my impulse to self-destruct as a teen. Watching this video also makes me grateful for the positive effects of my support system. (Also for the benefits of my anti-depressants, otherwise I would be sobbing now.....because of the beauty & power of the message of this song & the beauty of those who inspired it, created it & performed it. THANK YOU!

[@Charleswestsings]

I am SO very grateful to have seen this video this morning and to every single person involved in the making of it. The simplicity, depth of emotion, importance of the message and beauty communicated by the choir is so moving. I plan on sharing this with as many people as I can.

[@donaldrickels4971]

I have yet to sing this without crying. What an amazing song. I'm thrilled to be a part of the Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus and we get to sing with Nashville in Harmony and do this song! WOW!

[@askdjlyons]

From your lips to God's ears! I pray for the day when people no longer sit in judgment of others. It indeed will get better. I hope it continues to get better and better so that our young people no longer feel tempted to take their lives and that people no longer bully people that are different from the so-called 'norm'. We are all equal in God's eyes!

[@aeonjoey3d]

can't stop crying.

[@JP-sj5zn]

Stunning (said with teary eyes)

[@QueerAndUnplugged]

Going to 100K hits on EASTER. Way to go SFGMC & Stephen Schwartz.!!!

[@rghassett]

Breathtaking, amazing, heartbreaking an heart lifting at the same time! Thanks!!

[@Walkersr2010]

Hi Andy, I'm new to the chorus too, I know what you mean. I can't practice and listen to this without getting emotional. It hits so close to home.-Dave

[@Texian]

I believe we are, yes.

[@MermaidKels2]

Wonderful!

[@PowerGlove79]

I can't wait to perform this with my chorus in March. Such a powerful song

[@ZdrohceChordz]

amazing! what voices!

[@mutekuro]

Incredible.....Incredible.