When Darkness Descends

[@TheBlackHandel]

This is really beautiful 😍 I like how your harmony paints the emotions of the words

[@jrwoodhall]

@TheBlackHandel thank you so much. That means a lot and I appreciate your kind words

[@anomusic5314]

really nice use of chromatic for symbolism with the words. It is a great balance between the chromatic feel and the angelic dissonances all reacting with the text. I really like this, great job!!

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you very much. This is exactly what I was aiming for. Thanks 😊

[@BigBerthaFromMerthyr]

This is beautiful! Me and my wife love choral music with chord progressions that make you feel something, and dear god did I feel it at “you shall not fall” (bar 14). Truly magical!

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you - really glad you enjoyed. I really appreicate your kind words.

[@basicallyimhannah13]

this piece is so pretty also you do a1 justice WE DONT STAY ON ONE NOTE WE ACTUALLY GO HIGH YAY

[@jrwoodhall]

Hahaa! Yeh - all parts get lots of nice lines but yes, I didn't want to have endless Gs... Thanks!

[@shayakchaudhuri2710]

Amazing piece! I love how the minor and major scales blend together with a tense and gloomy tone but end happily. The last phrase: “You are never alone!” A perfect ending.

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much! 😊 That was definitely my aim, for it to acknowledge that sometimes life is hard but for the piece to be uplifting. Thanks for your comment.

[@janicelove4627]

1:40 Absolutely perfect arrangement. I don’t think I have ever heard something so gorgeous. Very underrated which needs to be shared with the world, especially in these dark times.

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much. This feedback means a great deal.

[@janicelove4627]

It’s my lullaby now. A perfect way to end a day, full of hope for tomorrow, no matter what happens.

[@bethanywakim6175]

So happy KZbin recommended this video to me - what an incredible piece of music! It sounds both ancient and modern at the same time. Wonderful dissonances and resolutions! Hats off to the choir as well - they absolutely nailed the tight harmonies. Subscribed!

[@jrwoodhall]

Ah thank you so much. Yes, the choir are fab. I really appreicate your kind words.

[@GHØSTED.voices]

THAT BASS LINE- OMG. IM IN LOVE 😭

[@jrwoodhall]

Thanks!

[@kaes4922]

1:23 just gives me chills

[@jrwoodhall]

Amazing singing from the sops! ❤

[@janicelove4627]

Hello, me again. I'm in a small choir from NSW Australia. I am so happy I have discovered your beautiful music. I love singing. I'm a soprano. I absolutely love your work. Keep composing. Greatest respect for your talent. Janice.

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much. I'd be happy to send you/your choir some pieces. Do feel free to email - [e-mail]

[@Tamadehenzhan]

Sehr beeindruckt und Gottes Segen

[@jrwoodhall]

Vielen Dank!

[@aspen1588]

that s1 part is INSANE and the altos get tons of love!! huge fan of this beautiful piece!

[@jrwoodhall]

Glad you like it! Thanks so much.

[@renatahist5382]

Your music bring me hope. I want sing it one day

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you 🙏

[@usedevidence8362]

Can't get enough of this song! Greetings from Pittsburgh

[@jrwoodhall]

Thanks! Howdy from London 😊

[@juulcy]

Beautiful. Gorgeous choir as well 😮

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much! Yes, superb singing from the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir. 😊

[@RDS_Armwrestling]

Lovely piece

[@jrwoodhall]

Many thanks!

[@GlennAustin829]

0:45 1:32 love the progression

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you! Some nice scrunch, right? 😃

[@gordongt1272]

Breathtaking.

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you 🙏

[@elmasimons2906]

beautiful and haunting harmonies.

[@jrwoodhall]

Thanks for listening and for your comments 😊

[@elinatimonsson]

omg i love this

[@jrwoodhall]

Really glad you like it 😊

[@MusicSounds]

amazing singers, amazing arrangement!

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you 😀

[@JacksonJanney-m4s]

This is awesome!!!!!

[@raige3073]

I stumbled upon this masterpiece on my suggested content, is this piece available? The distinct colors and flavor in each segment is way too angelic. Btw, I love the tenor parts where they shine at 1:15.

[@jrwoodhall]

Hi thanks for this wonderful comment. If you’re after the score, send me an an email [e-mail] and I’ll happily send it over. Thanks; the tenors are fab singers which helps 😊

[@mjspour]

So happy my KZbin recommendations brought me here. This is such a beautiful work.

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@mjspour]

@@jrwoodhall It's my pleasure!! Thank you for sharing your art!

[@Roserosey04]

Wow. Just wow

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@adlfm]

Welp, that was one really good youtube recommendation

[@jrwoodhall]

Hi @adlfm glad you enjoyed. All best, jw

[@zacvee7255]

Incredible!

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you! 😊

[@1kalb]

This is brilliant.

[@jrwoodhall]

@1Kalb Thank you so much! Really appreciate the comment. 😃

[@StefaanHimpe]

Nice piece!

[@jrwoodhall]

😊 thank you

[@ericbelify]

Really beautiful

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ericbelify]

@@jrwoodhall you’re welcome! and btw mm14-16 take my breath away every time:)

[@jrwoodhall]

Huge thanks to all for listening to, sharing, and commenting on this. Here’s a recent live performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2qoaaKaja2LeKssi=M2db_55DF2cWa47f

[@rtg0025]

Stunning work!!

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much 😊

[@jadonj-man7578]

So beautiful genuinely so peaceful

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you! Glad yo like it 🙂

[@jadonj-man7578]

you gave the tenor ones some love finally.!!! @@jrwoodhall

[@jrwoodhall]

@@jadonj-man7578 🤣 gotta give those tenors love 🥳🎶

[@maximiliandc2]

Was there an additional D# at 3:08? Love that shimmering sound on the word 'alone'!

[@jrwoodhall]

Ooh I don't think so but that would be a lovely note to add... Thanks - glad you enjoyed!

[@benedictpreece]

That’s a great piece!

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@benjaminmaley9974]

This is absolutely phenomenal. I have a chamber group I direct in Orange County, and would love to record this piece with them. Is that possible? Do you have music available for purchase? Thanks!

[@jrwoodhall]

Hi. Thank you so much, this means a lot. Yes, send me an email [e-mail] and I'll send over the score.

[@davidrossharris]

that chord at 1:53 🥲

[@jrwoodhall]

Thanks 🙏

[@Froggie124]

Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year, Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year, Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year, Please be on TMEA list for next year, please be on TMEA list for next year.

[@jrwoodhall]

Hi! Thanks for this! I’d love to be on a list, I’d TMEA the Texas Music Educators Association? I’m based in the UK but studied at UNT for a year and would love to come back. Do let me know if there’s someone I ought to contact!

[@Froggie124]

@@jrwoodhall sorry, I’m definitely not the person that knows how to do that. I’m just a high school student that really wants to sing this.

[@jrwoodhall]

All good@@Froggie124 ! Do get your choir director to have a listen and get in touch if they're keen. This has happened a few times already - the guys at University of Tennessee showed it to their professor and it looks like they'll sing it in the new year! Thanks for your comments!

[@hiiexist479]

Was this playback on a program or sung, either way this is absolutely amazing i love every part of this!

[@jrwoodhall]

Hi! Many thanks. Yes, it was sung by the wonderful Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir but yes, it's so pure and clear I can see how it could be thought as being a program!

[@lindaheikkilawfis4135]

I would like to get pdf copies of this. Is that through you? I want to do this with my choir. It is absolutely gorgeous!

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you for your kind comment! Do get in touch, my email is [e-mail]

[@nahmemusic]

This is amazing. Thank you so much! Do you have the pdf perhaps? :)

[@nahmemusic]

Also sent you a mail. :)

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you! Sorry for delay, I’ve emailed you😊

[@obscureproduction]

cool

[@jrwoodhall]

Thank you 🙏

[@NiiceguySm3rk]

I CAN SEE THIS AS AN UFC ENTRANCE SONG

[@jrwoodhall]

Thanks!

[@Calxb]

how do i buy this for my ensemble?!?!

[@jrwoodhall]

Hi, send me an email [e-mail] and I'd happily send you the score.

[@jacksonjanney1302]

Hey, what is your compositional process like? Very curious!

[@jrwoodhall]

Hi! Thanks for asking. The process for this piece was slightly different as I wrote both the music and the words sort of simultaneosuly. I am a pianist and so often start with improvising at the piano to decide on a 'sound world' for the piece. I often work with modes, jazz and other extended harmony. In this case, the piece is mostly aolian and dorian mode but I wanted the real 'bite' of dissonance of the clash between A minor and Ab major. Once I've decided on the structure and tonalily of the piece, particularly if it's for voices, I sing the lines aloud and write them (as best I can) how they sound in my head. I sometimes sketch by hand but most often straight into sibelius. It's a challenge to keep the sound in one's head alive once the sibelius sounds play ideas back (particularly vocal) but it is useful in many ways.

[@danminhsonlangdu]

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