Two-time Grammy Award-winning arranger Ben Bram has been featured on MotD previously for his arrangement of “Smile.” Here, Bram’s quartet, The Quad, performs his arrangement of “America The Beautiful,” featuring three downward modulations. Beginning in Bb, the first key change to G comes at 1:06, followed by shifts to D at 1:58 and C at 3:16.
The contemporary update of the lyrics was co-written by Bram and Jonathan Levine.
Ending our week with some much-needed uplift: A cappella quintet Committed, according to its site, “solidified their sound while at school at Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL…The group had the amazing opportunity to be featured on the second season of NBC’s hit singing competition The Sing Off and emerged as the season two champions.”
NPR’s Performance Today details the history of today’s feature, also known as the black national anthem: “Poet James Weldon Johnson’s ‘Lift Every Voice’ was written in 1900 for a Lincoln birthday celebration at the segregated Stanton School in Johnson’s native Jacksonville, Florida. The song became immensely popular and was passed on among students throughout the South. About 20 years later, the NAACP adopted it as the ‘Negro National Hymn.'” The tune has seen prominent covers by Melba Moore (backed up by Stephanie Jackson, Freddie Jackson, Anita Baker, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Jeffrey Osborne, and Howard Hewett), Bebe and Cece Winans, Take 6, The Clark Sisters, Rene Marie, and Beyonce.
In this 2015 version, Committed starts in Eb major with simple textures; a wordless bridge emerges at 2:25, building in intensity. There’s a whole-step modulation at 2:42 as the verse returns, adding a few piquant re-harmonizations and some spectacularly broad voicings.
We’ve featured Peter Hollens a few times and hope his rendition of “Danny Boy” (2016) brings you a smile and some peace during this strange, difficult period we find ourselves in. The key change is at 1:20.
Happy 4th of July to all! We’re not even going to attempt to describe this 2016 video, but rest assured that there are key changes!
Modulations, an impromptu gift from the vocalist to all of us, abound. Music Director and pianist Kevon Carter fields them all with an unsinkable spirit and world-class musicianship. Enjoy.
Zach Lapidus, a very talented accompanist indeed, attempts to salvage a performance of the National Anthem (2016). Buckle up.
From Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, featuring a double modulation at 1:11 and 1:23 (2018). Enjoy!
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