City Called Heaven - Salt Lake Vocal Artists

The Salt Lake Vocal Artists perform "City Called Heaven" by Edward Boatner arranged by Josepine Poelinitz live in concert on July 26, 2011 in Libby Gardner concert hall, under the direction of Dr. Brady Allred. This was the Vocal Artists Bon Voyage concert prior to their Argentine tour and performance at the 9th International World Choral Symposium.
Soloist: Melissa Bateman
Piano: Laurel Enke

[@notchrismartin]

They sing beautifully honestly. I remember doing this song at a Chamber Choir Festival. Our choir was mainly black and latino teens. So the black teens were showing us the techniques they used in church to sing this song in a more gospel/soulful way, which we went with at the festival. However, one of the judges was super against that. So it’s so weird how music is perceived or appreciated under different lights

[@AlyshaMonique]

My choir sang this song recently and I had the solo. I REALLY loved this rendition, however, the best so far. :) And big ups to the fantastic soloist. :)

[@sparrowcycle]

Can you believe it's been 7 years?

[@mikhailarobinson]

​@@sparrowcycle 10 years 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@AddieSlayz]

I’m in 6th grade and I had my choir concert, and the high schoolers sang this song and I’m just crying in the back.

[@billyfwilliams615]

THANK GOD FOR JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@InkwellCurtis]

LYRICS ------------ I am a pilgrim, a pilgrim of sorrow I'm left in this wide world, this wide world alone Ain't got no hope, got no hope for tomorrow Trying to make it, make heaven my home I am a pilgrim, a pilgrim of sorrow I'm left in this wide world, this wide world alone Ain't got no hope, got no hope for tomorrow Trying to make it, make heaven my home Sometimes I'm tossed and I'm driven, _Lord!_ Sometimes I just don't know which way to turn _Ooooooooh~_ Heard of a city, a city called heaven Trying to make it, make heaven my home Sometimes I'm tossed and I'm driven, _Lord!_ Sometimes I just don't know which way to turn _Ooooooooh~_ Heard of a city, a city called heaven Trying to make it, make heaven my home

[@dear_totheheart]

Not my favorite but undoubtably well executed, the timing is perfect, the soloist did amazing! I like how it builds and how you breathe in unision, this is how choirs are supposed to be :)

[@yoshidex64]

I have to sing this song in chorus class for our last concert.We don't have all of it down and our concert is tomorrow. Ha ha ha... were in trouble

[@nadiaishimwe3663]

wow im so late...but how was it???

[@mayrally7029]

I have to sing this in my choir

[@giannagarcia2878]

Hey me too. I sang the solo :)

[@xzayaivy12]

My choir is singing this for our concert June 4th so excited and I just auditioned for the 2nd solo part so hopefully I get it

[@flyaway1]

Did you get it?

[@EliasCenciPinate]

This song is just amazing... awesome voccals

[@Lauren-kx7tr]

this is a really good version, theyre kinda dragging the tempo but its still a really good song.

[@logancoryshares4040]

Pretty true to written tempo. Just did this piece and thought the same thing. Can be done significantly faster and doesn't compromise the piece at all. Arguably better. Beautiful performance none the less.

[@calarooni]

This rendition deserves far more than forty likes.

[@iluv2sing2011]

Superb performance I really loved your decrescendo into the crescendo at 3:05! Excellent!!

[@gibgabs2899]

Oh my goodness, 3:05 is my absolute favorite, those buildups and fast decrescendos are amazing!!

[@Emmy01077]

my school choir sang this it was awesome!

[@zoezachcommissaris2347]

It was a very good performance. And I know vowels are very important. But... The vowels were so pronounced that it was kinda hard to understand. More consonants next time.

[@singerboi588]

I love this piece!! Only recommendation, that I've learned through singing it with multiple venues and groups that it needs to be like "spiritual" like. But this performance is amazing though!!! Great soloist!!

[@jamalscott7293]

Very Great version takes a lot of breath control and great breathing technique when decresendo

[@momMAMORRIS3x]

Just loved the soul rhythm in this bluesy gospel! The soloist - Melissa did a superb job! Also loved hearing the piano accompaniment! I want to listen again.....just really love the strong beat you feel the singers exhibit! Thanks for a great performance!

[@annalisevezina]

They're crescendo-decrescendo are absolutely everything! My school tried to sing this song in eighth grade and it was kind of terrible... but they are so so good! It was so wonderful to hear what this song is supposed to sound like and just so nostalgic because I have wonderful memories attached to it!

[@MrWumpWump]

2:20 tenor line. Like damn.

[@brian_bk_keith]

Wow i sung this in MS and I had the solo...then puberty hit and i became a baritone lol...great job you guys

[@dracthealien5200]

this was one of my favourites back in school choir

[@juhanipalola9046]

beautiful!

[@maestrolynn12]

Awesome Job SLVA!! The thing about compositions like this: It's not "trying" to make it sound like a spiritual, It's being true to your spirit, and delivering the text, melodic and harmonic material, etc., in a truthful and holistic manner as possible. A gospel choir, in all actuality, would end up having to learn this from rote (many of these singers don't read music well at all)...If we're being truly honest, ultimately needing more time to understand all of the nuances of this composition.

[@downy1202]

But this is a negro spiritual. I don’t appreciate this composition at all. Hearing Mahalia Jackson singing this on a record many Saturday mornings as my grandma cleaned this version hurts my heart.

[@DaChamps15]

@@downy1202 That Mahalia Jackson version is for a soloist, this arrangement was made for choir. This version is one of the most popular spiritual choral arrangements, no need to put it down.

[@donnamariebeck2413]

Beautiful!!!

[@alicebrauwers9836]

Love this song sm❤❤❤ I am gonna sing the solo on our next school concert😳

[@stephanieashley4613]

Gives me the chills. Beautiful!

[@phmoreira_]

MY GOSH!!! THAT'S AMAZING!! we do the same arranging on my college! it's a wonderful music!

[@COAL3SCE]

learning this in 8th grade instead of somewhere like high school or college, what ya know about that

[@andyadams9174]

Absolutely wonderful! Perfect!!!

[@Jbm0230]

Hey! Soloists don't need microphones... ;) Very well done!

[@zoezachcommissaris2347]

I agree but... you do know she *was* using one. Right?

[@lancearyn8656]

She used one

[@xzayaivy12]

Wow the best I've heard it! Soooo amazed!

[@XCrazyDreX]

thank you for putting this on KZbin. i have a test on this tomorrow and this is helping a lot im praying that i pass because i singing bass so i have to go down an up singing this song and i would like to know if you can let a male bass singer sing the solo alone so i can learn it before next mouth please and thank you.

[@discombobulate2388]

1:17--I love the bass sound on this note!

[@Songabirdi]

Wow! Hope I and the chorus live up to your standard that you guys set when and if we ever do this version of City Called Heaven.

[@calypso9288]

They’re amazing singers but they tried why too hard to make this opera-y. The song is supposed to have soul, keep it that way.

[@patrickproctor3462]

I think you mean they tried too hard to make it black, while they're almost all classically trained which includes basic operatic techniques. They felt it. They were IN it. That doesn't mean that even the very best choir in the world can sound stupendous at everything.

[@thatsacoolone9038]

Too polished + too much vibrato = boring.

[@carlosalejandroalvarenga4913]

@@thatsacoolone9038 maybe to you. But I really liked it. Sure it was written for soul/gospel singing, but that doesn't mean that it cant be fun or creative in other types if singing

[@ElijahHogston]

@@carlosalejandroalvarenga4913 He was making fun of OP's taste in music

[@ElijahHogston]

Music is supposed to be enjoyed, you ruined my night

[@larryocca]

Bravo!

[@felixsatia]

Mr Brady Allred. Can you sing a popular piece, like The Majesty and Glory of Your Name, by Tom Fettke? Pleaseeee

[@spidaman0812]

I love the sFz at 3:05 (:

[@ericaantunes7917]

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Utahjazz416]

Good job Melissa B

[@paulhaynes6463]

So fine.

[@hortensiamanas1130]

Precioso!

[@PraetorLupus1]

@XCrazyDreX a little late but i am a guy and i sang the solo

[@Thicktorious]

This the closest version that I've heard to her arrangement! Everyone else sings it too fast! #allcityelementaryyouthchourus95-97

[@LilDP]

Sometimes, with this style of music it's better to feel them rather than "perform" them. You're little less of a musician and now you're a little bit of an actor. Feel the music. Regardless, great performance.

[@lizziem2912]

the soloist has a good voice but she doesn't have any final consonants. it sounds like she's saying "I've her of a city call heavi"

[@JulIan-qr7xm]

Melo

[@bl9298]

Pretty good i guess

[@bubbletea6269]

I didn't care for the solo trying to make sound like an opera, it's a soul song for a reason. The choir was good though.

[@mayrally7029]

GAH!

[@wwilfox720]

I have no problem with their performance...and I'm black.

[@afreenchowdhury5474]

Great technically, but there’s no soul!!

[@Emmy01077]

....:-)

[@cosmodusty]

this is a very... caucasian version of this song. executed well, though.

[@danubiaflamenco]

Lindo mas eu prefiro o Madrigale com solo da Clarinha :O)

[@drugdealer6]

They did really good... but if you could add just a little black women it would make it 100% better