"Music of Stillness" by Elaine Hagenberg

[@frankcrow1155]

What a consummate musician Elaine Hagenberg is! She understands the human voice, with emphasis on the choral setting. She writes from the depth of her soul and for the depth of the soul of her audience. When she directs, it is with passion that only exemplifies the passion with which she composes. How I would love to be one of her students and profit from all that she has to share as a gifted teacher, director, and composer. She is music personified!

[@haasineeandree5533]

Absolutely amazing

[@carlylynn2537]

I got to meet Elaine in high school as she was good friends with my choir director, and she worked with us on this piece, and for our female group we did Song of Miriam. I love how she can make you feel the emotions through her music

[@Mal1ily]

Bless Elaine for being an alto and making us have a break for once

[@stevewinkleburg5300]

I can safely say that this is the song that made me discover my love for choir. For what its worth, I hope Elaine Hagenberg knows what immensely positive impact she's had on my life.

[@madih7362]

I’ve been in choir for 6 years, and hands down this is the most beautiful piece I’ve ever heard. I’m so excited to sing it in Paris over spring break with my school’s choir💕

[@secretstars]

Madi H Agreed! Enjoy your performance and time in Paris! It’s a magical city!

[@inessaaccilien5224]

Oh man I got sad reading this now

[@fsc4823]

my choir is doing this song right now and i cry every time we sing it. to me, this song is about retreating into the world in your head as an escape from the world around you, whether or not that means literal death or just some high level of numbness. it’s beautifully sad.

[@fsc4823]

update: we never got to perform it because of covid and now hearing this song just makes me painfully sad.

[@lux1975]

iconic for nobody to mention the alto’s.

[@anthonyhellman8544]

Because tenors always carry the choir

[@fsc4823]

@@anthonyhellman8544 tenors always ruin the choir in my experience lol

[@viv_dumbb]

That’s what happens when you have inexperienced singers. It’s not a bad thing, they just need more practice. Every part is important

[@ViciousEmpire]

@@fsc4823 funny how you say that but we performed this for Maryland All State and I was a tenor. We really did carry our choir through 2 songs. I think this song we tenors and Sopranos carried.

[@a.persson5728]

As an alto who sang this in IA All-State 2021, I can say personally that the alto part was an alto part: like 2 notes. Elaine made it sound beautiful tho :')

[@dreadlockbanana]

To me this piece is about the duality of reality, and the presence of God, the Tao, whatever you might name it, in all instances. The poem is supposedly a suicide note. Even in the darkest of places, there is still beauty that maintains balance. I can hear this in the chord changes. They go from the very edge of lamentation to brightest exhilaration-such is reality. When time stands still, you can see God. Truth might be the best way to describe what you see. This is what you see when you open yourself up to a "true" painting, and what you hear when you open up to a "true" piece of music. The music of stillness is always playing. You just have to allow yourself to listen.

[@carloserr1435]

I don't know if you'll ever see this but thank you. Your music soothes my heart when nothing else can. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@LuisRamirez1]

I keep coming back to this song/video on here because around this time last year me and my choir group had our performance week. The end of the semester concerts, all our hard work to be laid bare on stage to please by showing off our hard work to our audience; friends, family, classmates. It wasn't until our professor, (Joanna Medawar Nachef) explained to us the reason and meaning behind the lyrics and choice of it. I feel I can speak for everyone in my chorale group then that when she told us our hearts sank a little. This wasn't just another choir peace. We all felt it and it hurt heavy. Rehearsing and performing it felt a lot harder after that with the feeling of knots in ones throats trying not to break down. This year for obvious reasons I dont get to experience that. I miss this. I miss my class. I miss my friends. But I still have music.

[@marleekjeldgaard307]

i sang this for my step dads funeral with my choir. such a beautiful piece and always brings me to tears

[@iyanubanks100]

I’m so sorry 💔😞

[@simbasy99]

The high note that soars up on Stars I shall find 3:50 or so made me stop and catch my breath. I love the range. Floating soprano, rumbling bass. This song is just gorgeous. Thank you!

[@haileysimpson3927]

@Meredith Konechne Nah that hurt when I did it. Of course I’m only a high schooler and I didn’t hit it until we performed it but still. Fun to hit but painful

[@glibbergloop]

@@haileysimpson3927 Ouch be careful. If it's painful you'll need to revisit the technique used to sing the note

[@josieiris2441]

i would give anything to perform this in a group again. the vibrations and energies that are made in this song when singing it all together is one of the most ethereal experiences i've ever had. this song will never leave my heart.

[@luke_aaron_crockett]

this sounds like the mixer of SEAL LULLABY by Eric Whitacre/ and I AM IN NEED OF MUSIC by David L. Brunner! Elaine i absolutely love your music!

[@lionsmaine1238]

Luke Crockett I hear ittt

[@rileymccoy1643]

Iowa all staters, where we at? Congrats to everyone for all there hard work regardless of if you made it or not. It takes a degree of perseverance and hard work to audition!

[@B_RodXXVII]

I randomly remembered this song again today and am so glad I saw this comment. Also, did anyone else hate Fireflies as much as I did? It just was not good. At all.

[@richardbrockcurtis4565]

I loved this song! It is still one of my favorite songs I've done for All-State.

[@deadend3826]

Recently sang this song for all-state choir and it was everything I've ever wanted to sing.

[@joshuathedank9661]

Singing this with my high school choir this semester and considering the fact I am a bass II I adore this piece (Db below the staff is very hot)

[@mckenziehaskin7557]

My breath has truly been taken away, that mix of peace and power is insane!!!!!!!!!

[@jakewillenbring3078]

THAT BASE NOTE AT 1:53!!!

[@chanceyjean76]

It's phenomenal. We sang this for a choir festival and I'm a Bass II. It feels great singing it. With the right resonance and setting it sets up such a beautiful chord.

[@B_RodXXVII]

@@chanceyjean76 I was a Bass II in the Iowa All State Choir in 2021 when we preformed this piece, and I too can say it is a phenomenal note to hit. It's right there towards the end of my register, but man does it feel good to sing. The whole song is just great for me since I'm a 2-3 octave Bass. (That 3rd octave can be real picky.)

[@thooby2676]

this song and poem are both so cathartic and speak to the experience that the poet was going through. in preparing this piece for the iowa all state conference, i’ve been told the story of sara teasdale’s struggle through life, and every line of this song perfect captures what her struggle means to me. i speak for many people when i say that this song sounds like finding peace in what your life is to become, in the poet’s case, what her life wouldn’t become. thank you, Elaine Hagenberg, for perfectly capturing and respecting the essence of hope in the face of depression and hardship.

[@atomicr4y472]

I have 2 CD recordings of my Choir singing this at our Concert and at the ACDA East Conference. There was always one of us crying at this. Especially because the way we did it was as a combined piece with To Sit and Dream. No breaks in between either song, they were played as one giant song. It was easily the most emotional performance any of us had to give. It's one of the few things I would do again if given the chance.

[@dreadlockbanana]

This piece is beautiful in the same dark way that Mac Miller's "Swimming" is dark and beautiful.

[@CharlieWhitaker]

We sang this at last years MACCC conference. The first time i listened to it after quarantine I was bawling. Listened to it again, and oh. the catharsis.

[@manspence2203]

We did this song for Allstate this year, and it still brings me to tears.

[@ruthe.2292]

The choir did this for all-state two years ago, and the seniors in our choir that went that year requested it for our festival concert. I heard it for the first time today and it’s so beautiful!

[@retroking59]

Were you in good hands?

[@dulceguerrero1660]

We did this for all state this year too!

[@matthewamori7801]

Did this piece at Region chorus earlier this year. This piece has really grown on me and become my favorite choral piece. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

[@CENTRALISLIPCONCERTCHOIR]

So beautiful,...my goodness. Reaches inside and speaks to the soul. Loved it.

[@Realnad21]

After the concert, the song still stay in my mind, feel like the beautifully words that in my mind combines with the music, so successful and beauty 2:33

[@carrietconnelly7528]

I first heard this was in the movie The Elephant Man at the end. I was crying for half an hour!! So touching.

[@MeredithAnne88]

I wish my choir would get this piece. It's breathtaking!

[@cadenkarda508]

Sang this in the 2020 iowa all state chorus. This is by far the BEST song out of my 3 years of all state i've sung!

[@B_RodXXVII]

I agree, it was my favorite song from that year's Iowa All State Choir to sing. (Also, it was the fall of 2021)

[@oliviasinda6518]

my choir is singing this. it is my favourite piece that we’ve done in my 3 years

[@MrOpera-il6uz]

Wow!! Amazing and gorgeous piece! I cannot stop listening to it! It is so beautiful!! Well done!

[@jacobwinters9893]

Absolutely unreal. Love this song so much!

[@joaniepayne369]

Breathtaking Elaine !!!!!💜💙💜💙

[@okaydj1278]

I legitimately will use this song if I ever direct a movie specifically created after a certain book that has to do with "The Night Court". I'm listening to this on repeat because we're doing it in my choir and I cannot help but SOB at this masterpiece. I've heard a lot of pretty and beautiful music in my short life, but this is classical and modern at the same time with beautiful tones, ranges, chords, everything is masterful. It reminds me of a beautiful ball in an enormous castle with sparkling dresses and talented gentlemen. My heart cracks a little more each time I hear it. I can't wait to sing it.

[@zacharylavender1568]

Lovely! The passing tones are beautiful!

[@Asirah_Fall]

This is an absolutely beautiful piece, and one that I would be proud to sing. Composed by a master hand, to be sung by anyone, to make you feel depths of emotion that you rarely feel.

[@Realbmell]

I will be performing this soon and I’m Tenor 1. It’s so beautiful I could cry.

[@trevortomah8508]

A resounding blest Amen, an all encompassing beautiful Shalom.

[@henryibberson3701]

This is a simply stunning piece - a beautiful idea beautifully sung

[@heinzfast2685]

Amaaaaaazing composition and performance!!!

[@inPain.]

About to go perform this song in a few hours

[@YOOBEAR]

My choir is doing this song and wow its so beautiful

[@elysepauda7297]

Thank you so much for this beautiful music, Elaine. I just found you yesterday in a church choir director's fb group and I was moved to tears by your music almost instantly. I had a billion things to do, but I had to put it aside for like 10 minutes to sit and feel, sit and be surrounded by all the things inside me that your music reminded me of. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@justincombs7433]

Recently discovered this wonderful composer. You can definitely hear the influence of others like Whitacre and Clausen. It's nice to see this style is still going strong with emphasis on tonal reflection in text as well as minimalistic motifs.

[@hahaylen]

Thank you Mrs. Hagenberg

[@gabyfc101]

Beautiful ❤️

[@teoboggi76]

goin to study this one this month, so beauty inspired music :) happy new year to everyone^^

[@jamesonjones6581]

Thank you...

[@coledenner514]

This is by far, my most favorite song ever

[@m.e.cornelis9722]

Beautiful…..thank you

[@violanotes]

Crazy good!

[@avametz162]

I liveeeee for the alto part in this. We're singing it rn in choir

[@theofacciponti3213]

i’m so excited i get to sing this next month!!

[@VMGMultiTracks]

I'm about to mix a 414 voice virtual choir performance of this song. I hope to do the music justice. It helps that it's an all-state chorus. However, it's a shame these kids don't get to sing this amazing song in person.

[@shaebunker9840]

How am I supposed to choose between this and the Techeli? Both stunning. I'll just do both.:)

[@davidasch9335]

Magnificent!

[@Ashton123082]

Everyone is here debating whether tenors carry the piece and I'm here reveling in the super low bass parts - so hot!

[@jamestaylor3623]

muy épico

[@ViZiOMusic]

Lovely vid

[@Frenchlad]

What is the adjective "low" attributed to ? Why "holy and low" ?

[@marklondon1998]

Elaine Hagenberg i love because you are beautiful.

[@susanflakes6968]

Yes..

[@kate_undercover6184]

2:09 is my allstate cut!

[@elainehagenbergmusic]

Great guess! I bet you're right! :)

[@kate_undercover6184]

@@elainehagenbergmusic are you THE Elaine Hagenberg? if so, I feel so honored that you replied to my comment hahaha. Your music is so beautiful. Out of all the iowa allstate music this year, your piece is my favorite!! Thank you for gracing the world with your music 💖 the time stamp is my cut for the home elimination auditions! I hope it’s also THE allstate cut because it’s the perfect range for me as a soprano 2!

[@dulceguerrero1660]

@@kate_undercover6184 Elaine is dead haha, this person is just running the account

[@lenny____]

​@@dulceguerrero1660 she's not

[@hahaylen]

Oklahoma 24-25 where we at???

[@sousaman156]

Sang this at All state choir

[@alesmarin609]

It kinda sounds like "there will be rest" by frank techeli

[@Pigeonswain]

It's the same poem!

[@elizabethbaer574]

this song makes me so happy to be a saprano😭

[@music_and_other_random_thi1330]

Me too

[@maryannwellman6292]

🙏

[@danielho2739]

好像天使對人說話