St. Olaf Choir - "Flight Song" - Kim André Arnesen

The St. Olaf Choir (Anton Armstrong, Conductor) perform "Flight Song" by Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen, with words by Euan Tait.
Published by earthsongs: bit.ly/1e3uPz8
This performance was part of the St. Olaf Choir's Spring Concert, May 3, 2015.
To view the complete concert, please visit stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?e=...
Music Copyright © earthsongs, posted by permission.
Copyright © 2015 St. Olaf College. All rights reserved.

[@ponyo7097]

also lets talk about this choirs tone because 👀👀👀👀👀👌👌👌👌👌👀👀👀👀👌👀👀

[@laymeht5564]

it's 2 am on a school night and this is usually the kind of stuff I end up on. It's so beautiful

[@bfskejhfb0]

wow their sopranos sound so good i'm dying this is a blessing to my ears

[@jurgenalbrecht]

Absolutely!

[@animelord2464]

What about the basses???

[@faeriecake]

THOSE CONSONANTS GIVE ME LIFE

[@JustGeneric734]

You should hear how he instructs us to sing them.😂

[@mateojames3231]

@@JustGeneric734tell us. I am an addict to choral diction.

[@mdafafirmansyah3005]

All we are, we have found in song; you have drawn this song from us. Songs of lives unfolding, fly overhead, cry overhead: longing, rising from the song within. Moving like the rise and fall of wings, hands that shape our calling voice on the edge of answers you've heard our cry, you've known our cry: music's fierce compassion flows from you. The night is restless with the sounds we hear, is broken, shaken by the cries of pain, for this is music's inner voice, saying, yes, we hear you, all you who cry aloud, and we will fly, answering you: so our lives sing, sing wild we will fly, wild in spirit we will fly. Like a feather falling from the wing, fragile as a human voice, afraid, uncertain, alive to love, we sing as love, afraid, uncertain, yet our flight begins as song.

[@maicohann1658]

M Dafa Firmansyah thank you

[@johnclements9085]

Thanks google

[@t.subhashri7887]

@@johnclements9085 HAHAHHAHAHA nice one

[@GC-hn3dq]

oh

[@mykkie100]

Thanks for sharing the lyrics. I read the lyrics before listening to this glorious choir. I have a mental health issue, though I have a minor in voice.For under 4 minutes, every fear, every debt, everything that gives reason for taking medication,did not exist. The Level Of anxiety that I have to endure, for 4 minutes, faded away. The lyrics,the interpretation, and the performance, did to my soul, what good music does. Thank you for touching my soul.

[@joeysalinas8056]

There's something about this piece (and performance, of course) that comforts me even in my worst hardships. I cherish this so much

[@lauriegravelle1856]

Glad to know I’m not the only one❤

[@adelecappucci1919]

St Choir is a premier college choir I have loved for my entire life. Truly exquisite voices. and a privilege to see them perform live twice when my niece was a member.

[@michellewoodruff604]

I’ll never forget when I stumbled upon this performance in PBS and I was stunned at its beauty. My search for it online took a bit of work but I’m so glad I can listen to it every so often. It still gives me goosebumps every time. ❤

[@dragonfire3871]

I actually met Anton Armstrong in person once and it was an incredible experience. He taught me new ways to sing and to be taught by him personally is truly an honor.

[@iqbalconan21]

Sung this beautiful Flight Song on my choir competition back in 2016 at Busan, South Korea. Conducted directly by Mr. Anton Armstrong

[@billiederham8398]

The pianist is accompanying this song so beautifully.

[@morgangreen8528]

Doing this song for highschool choir right now, every time we practice I get so tired afterward I feel like I'm going to pass out

[@mostlyoriginalpianomusic2174]

Just try this piece with Dr Armstrong directing. He expects so much out of everyone, but he makes you sound beautiful as a whole. I had the honor of being under his direction for the Missouri All-State Choir, it was truly an unforgettable experience

[@blytheganje8305]

​@@mostlyoriginalpianomusic2174I was lucky enough to have him for Montana All-State last year! He was amazing to work with.

[@Churchcantor]

Highlight of my life was to be a member of this choir, 1990-1991, Anton's first year...

[@oliviasanborn5970]

Ugh this year's TMEA lineup is sooooo good

[@curtisswalker2520]

The Heaven's Flock tho

[@cass6973]

true true true

[@jordanpennell859]

so much better than last year omg.... i cannot dance o lord MURDERED me last year

[@kalinafajardo3227]

+jordan pennell oh man I feel that in my soul me too

[@katersss]

Anyone else's fav song out of all the pieces?

[@malikjulien8537]

Yeeeesss!

[@MisterMalleable]

I prefer weschellied zum tans

[@sarahjacobson5014]

Meeeeeew

[@palucheben]

Yes, we sang it last season in a newly formed Community Choir in Naples Fl under the direction of Todd Peterson.. Eager for the new season to begin.

[@Megansings01]

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. We are singing this for a college choir master concert in a couple weeks and I am so excited. It is one of the most beautiful songs and has such beautiful text. Thank you Kim Andre Arnesen for this piece

[@activistpanda70]

“Afraid, uncertain, alive to love.” Such a beautiful line

[@minh-vanvo6575]

This song is my favorite, I listen hundreds of time and still loving it ❤‍🩹❤‍🩹❤‍🩹❤‍🩹❤‍🩹❤‍🩹❤‍🩹 Thank you St Olaf Choir🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Atehari_Saile]

Singing this with the Choirs of America at Carnegie Hall was truly an amazing experience.

[@jencypetersen3410]

I love how they all hold hands; it's such a sense of unity!! Beautiful choir with a great tone.

[@shorty4539]

The basses at the end... I wanna hug everyone one of you! LOVE THIS

[@smallpotato5445]

I have been going through the songs for my choir season. When I first listened to this, I found it unimpressive. But then we listened to it again with the entire choir while looking at the score, and suddenly it came together, I got powerful goosebumps and I feel people next to me breathing with lots of quiet gasps and tears eyes even. It is such a big contrast and I am still thinking about it.

[@tearoses9940]

My high school choir did this song last spring! We were all standing angled inward for the whole concert, and then for “all of you who cry aloud” we would turn our bodies out directly to the audience to sort of show vulnerability there. Then at the very end of the song we slowly angled ourselves back in. Our director definitely knew what he was doing. One of my friends who was in the audience said she actually started crying during this song!

[@crixous8278]

i was at this performance with my choir. Since im in shoemaker high and stuff, this performance was beautiful and inspired me to stay in choir and keep working on my voice.

[@randyjsing]

Killeen ISD? Music will never die. Keep singing and never forget!

[@theyaredakota]

Easy to say tenors have one of the best lines in this piece. Sung this as a tenor in my freshman year of high school, very beautiful.

[@halledouglass5124]

Just sang this song in Carnegie hall on Sunday, directed by Dr. Armstrong. He did such an amazing job directing us, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with him.

[@SOGNN]

+Halle Douglass OMG! I was in the other choir, directed by Dr. Copley!

[@gerloeffenmedia]

magnificent. my favourite. I want to listen to every day. greetings from the Netherlands.

[@rebeccadegregorio5850]

I performed this song with the TMEA All-State Treble choir in February of 2019 under Dr. Anton Armstrong. Such a beautiful memory ❤️🎼

[@randyjsing]

I was there to see the woman’s choir that you were a part of. My daughter was in the Mixed Choir that year but we wouldn’t have missed your concert for the world. She watched the TMEA Mixed Choir 2 years before performing this SATB version of the piece with tears and a resolve to be a part of this choir and that’s exactly what happened in 2018 and 2019.

[@alyssa9310]

i had such a hard time singing this for TMEA because i cried everytime we sang it. It's so good!

[@cbruman2]

I'm having the same problem! This song is just so beautiful and moving it brings me to tears. What a gift this man gave to the world by writing this song! So blessed to finally have discovered it. And good to know at at age of 67 I have not heard it all and we can still discover beautiful things in life.

[@nelesedelky1008]

Oh my gosh, I'm a foreign exchange student and I'm in choir in my High School here and we're singing this and it's my absolute favorite! Makes me tear up every time. My favorite part: "We sing as love." It's so beautiful and our choir is already doing so good! Love it forever! ❤🎼 PS: THIS is true music!!🎶

[@dankramer6967]

June 2024 and this song still hits me every time. The beautiful voices, harmonies and dynamics are heavenly! Thanks for sharing your voices to minister healing to our souls!

[@whytho8008]

We're singing this for my choir teacher funeral tomorrow

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Prayer sent

[@Gilmoro]

Has several little motifs that reminds me of "Dirait-on".

[@tvtimetravel]

Me too! That's a choral favorite of mine!

[@performingartist]

Just coming to the comments to say the same thing

[@kaigray4957]

my high school choir did flight song last year, and my college choir is learning dirait-on right now!!

[@JackMFromBoca]

same key too

[@bobareebop]

I thought the same.

[@katherinethegrr8]

Just sung this at a concert! So beautiful

[@jordanpennell859]

SOP 2S WHERE ARE YOU

[@tionnalb]

Herrrrree!!!

[@sarahjacobson5014]

Here

[@hannahstewart1276]

Right here!

[@diavion2573]

I’m everything except bass!

[@Oddnichols]

whoop whoop

[@matthewhastings6940]

I see Altos, Sopranos, and Tenors...where are all the basses? Why aren't any basses getting love in this comment section?!

[@Z0mbi3bait]

Right Here!!!!!!

[@NuggetEternal]

Bass/bari right here

[@malikjulien8537]

Bass here!! Woot. 🙌🏾

[@rickdesignationc-1373]

Right here mate.

[@jamjamismycity2023]

Right here B), love your profile pic bro.

[@MeredithAnne88]

Breathtaking.

[@amberlynnjuarez8131]

Anyone else looking up the songs for all state choir auditions???

[@pyrogue7491]

TMEA was lit that year! I miss it so much

[@christopherblanchard536]

Transformative words by Euan Tait which are further transported by this ethereal music into the upper realms

[@lokipokey]

St. Olaf's is amazing! I love the way you have relaxed faces and natural movement, and the joy you express. We won't mention the precision and musicality :)

[@jeffreysmythe1873]

Anyone know who the guy in the back row, 4th from right is (blonde guy with glasses)? He looks just like my cousin. Resemblance is incredible. People do have doubles. I always enjoy hearing the St. Olaf choirs sing. Such beautiful music.

[@kristine6153]

This song is too beautiful to describe with words. I love it! I sung it in region, and it was just breathtaking.

[@omea-zingaidan6210]

1:57 was perfect. I love this Choir. Their songs are always so majestic and beautiful.

[@greypriest9161]

this choirs expressive movement really brings out the flow of the music, makes you feel the beat more. beautiful.

[@crazycookie76]

This gives me chills, man....

[@queent5089]

you guys sang it the best. no section trying to overpower the other. perfect blend and volume. so great

[@jaquan6499]

We are singing this for our concert this year! So beautiful

[@triciazuttermeister4824]

I read the title as "FIGHT SONG", so was expecting something quite different.

[@elizabethlake3580]

I just got back from All Northwest (first time going, since I'm a freshman) and Anton Armstrong was our conductor for the weekend. That man is amazing. We sang this song, and Dr. Armstrong told us that Arnesen wrote it for him for his birthday. It was so cool.

[@meganallen5385]

Beautiful piece

[@NicolasKirk484]

This recording makes me really excited to sing this. We just got this at my choir. 😎😍😄😄😄

[@Oddnichols]

probably favorite piece for this year

[@JBizzlerocks]

Was in the ANHE choir with Dr. Armstrong, we performed this song, which was quite beautiful, and I enjoyed it very much. Even though it wasn't anywhere close to my states honors choir , I will always remember it.

[@MadChristoph]

We're doing this song for our District Choir, when I first heard this song, I felt sad and relaxed at the same time, maybe it's because the piano in Db major really sets the mood

[@adelinechoo5820]

Thank you for sharing this. I needed this ❤️

[@KenWAnderson]

Stunning. Just lovely! Superlative.

[@marykatherinemitchell9548]

I was near tears! Beautiful!

[@alecsaucedo492]

one of the best TMEA songs I have the honor to sing,hands down.

[@maddiemay446]

aye anyone else for tmea 2018-2019 and can’t find the ssaa version but also wants to relive 2016-2017

[@joymartin9710]

St Olaf always brings tears to my eyes. The music is beautiful beyond words. It speaks to the heart and soul.

[@melissamaddux7006]

This song is so beautiful...my choir is singing it this quarter and it is going to be amazing

[@savvasconstantinou293]

Instant tears. So beautiful

[@rachel1152]

tmea 2017 anyone?

[@kornykornkenny]

Basically

[@phillipv6220]

team early start

[@Z0mbi3bait]

Adding this to my playlist right now.

[@tkrc1888]

SAME

[@joelonaroll]

+Rachel Greenwald There's already an entire playlist of the repertoire, bless

[@hannahstewart1276]

Just got chair 14 yesterday with this song and Sing Joyfully, and advancing to Pre Area :D

[@genabrie]

I absolutely love this piece. You sing it beautifully!

[@connorwalls.]

Singing this at region auditions this Saturday #bass

[@saramcadams7537]

me too but soprano 1

[@shoonebunsk577]

how did you do?

[@connorwalls.]

Shoon Ebunsk placed 35 bass 1 ... Did alright though

[@shoonebunsk577]

Nice. what state?

[@connorwalls.]

Shoon Ebunsk south east Texas

[@markluebbers5781]

My favorite song right now. Beautiful St. Olaf!

[@ssboooy4153]

"Alive to love, We sing as love. Afraid, uncertain yet Our flight begins...as song" Wow

[@winkie2018]

WHERE MY ALTOS AT?! edit: omg I've never gotten this many likes before!

[@kalinafajardo3227]

YOOO ALTOS

[@tkrc1888]

Alto 1 Here :)

[@AbbySitton]

here and loving the TMEA music!

[@kennanlukacs]

+Abby Sitton SAAAME.

[@amelia.landry]

Yep just super happy about All State songs

[@falcomgreear4042]

Gosh... so many memories from All national choir in 2016, to All northwest in 2017, to Oregon Bach Festival. It was an amazing experience to work with Anton Armstrong all three times 😄

[@Oaktownrob]

I love you, St Olaf Choir, but I will have to keep my eyes closed at your concerts, when the swaying goes too far. It really does take my attention Off the music. Only said in LOVE!

[@cynthiapitts7487]

You're exactly right. Too much a distraction to the beautiful sound and faces.

[@calebstewart7464]

The swaying is a sign of unity, love, and trust inside a choir.

[@matthewharris1660]

Robert Harrison it also helps prevent tension, especially if they’re doing a 2 and a half hour concert like the one I just saw them do. It keeps them loose and helps them not to lock up their knees from the amount of standing or tighten their throats from the demand of their style of singing

[@peterwingate3999]

It doesn't bother me one bit.

[@bassethound1]

I’m sorry to have to agree. Said in love but it makes me seasick.

[@tayxtalks]

This has me in tears, y’all! You all sounded SOOOO GOOD! 😻 amazing✨🙌🏼

[@out.of.nowhere]

So beautifully done! Their vowels are incredible

[@ktang001]

Beautiful!

[@meyercombrinck]

Beautiful performance, with such clear diction - well done to all involved!

[@livamoore5566]

Beautiful song!❤

[@EmilyRose-fl6hr]

I'll be singing this with the ILMEA All State Honors choir in a little over a month 😍 SO so so excited.

[@tayxtalks]

That’s crazy this is definitely one of my favorite songs now. Tfs 🙏🏼 ❤️

[@kadiecarrell3959]

Where r my soph 1 at

[@PerryKassupo]

Wow amazing everything was connected and well balanced!!!

[@lindseystraus9055]

Absolutely beautiful. We have two more practices and one final run through on Sunday morning two weeks from now. I can only hope we can sing it half as well as St. Olaf's.

[@dothatch5147]

So so beautiful.

[@sallietaylor8503]

How very lovely.

[@kadarikeller1]

My goodness, that’s beautiful.

[@urbandude823]

Amy! I see you Amy! Also this song is beautiful. And they sound absolutely stunning

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Came back to listen and gaze once again to refresh and acknowledge the prayer in the future of mine and ours ......... soar upward . Thanks be...

[@jordanwilson1030]

Alto 2's, where you at?

[@mollycatherine3773]

took me forever to find an alto 2 comment! hello i'm here!

[@davisatdavis1]

That low D-flat bass at the end gave me chills...

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Recital at U of Richmond '17 brought me here to reprise this very beautiful piece in which that blessing was performed by the Schola Cantorum Choir under the direction of Dr Jeffery Riehl

[@BroJoeBass]

Florida All State Concert Choir 2019 Did this song so well

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

time passes quickly beauty lasts eternal

[@vdavis7509]

Gorgeous tone in all sections. Interesting, the swaying movement among the choristers. I can imagine that the singers are less tense having the freedom to move a bit, and the audience is also positively affected by it.

[@ariannacirksena5320]

super awesome all state year

[@madelynlewis8902]

gorgeous

[@terryadal731]

C'est magnifique, et magnifiquement joli

[@peterwingate3999]

Perfect, all around. Although I admit that the altos really got my attention. Well done everyone!

[@triciadampog6857]

Alto 1 heeeere!! 💕💕

[@rosadiaz2650]

omigosh i hope to be part of Dr.Armstrong's choir....he is great to work with....I love his choir and Dr.Anton is just a very nice person.🎶

[@emilehuston4662]

I sang this song with him in a state choir....he's such a great man. Really funny, too. He whipped us right into shape haha

[@ShootNowAskLater01]

+Emile Huston Come to Oregon Bach Festival and be a part of the SFYCA group. You'll really see what working with him can do for you there. It's a two-week academy where we work on challenging literature, including classical pieces like [this year] Brahm's "Ein Deutsches Requiem", a piece that lasts an hour and a quarter. Two years ago, the classical piece was Verdi's "Requiem," and last year it was Anton Bruckner's "Te Deum." It is well worth the cost, and you get to study with Anton and other well-known composers and conductors from around the world with 79 other high school students who are passionate about music. PM me if you'd like some details.

[@vr7037]

very similar to lauridsens setting of "sure on this shining night", no?

[@dear_totheheart]

Nice connection, it really does have a similar feel!

[@VanSensei]

Arnesen is very influenced by Lauridsen in this. D-flat major, the Lauridsen-esque use of added seconds, 6/9 chords, and the way Morten Lauridsen writes vocal parts, which feel not like vocal parts, but a mosaic of lieder. Every part is doing more than just harmonic support. Really, it feels more like Dirait-on. Both are also not afraid to get low for the tenors and sopranos.

[@ShinobiVocals]

Turbo Sheep agreed.😀

[@ponyo7097]

tmea 2017 is gonna be amazing!! #sop1squad B^)

[@elletaylor9711]

SAME

[@kailakitty9651]

you know it

[@paytonalaniz2759]

Same! ❤️ Dallas here!

[@connorwalls.]

Houston here #bass1squad

[@hannahschulze3849]

Corpus Christi here- sop. 1 for life ;)