The beauty of the perfect intonation of these singers - ensemble and choir - is delightful. When I started singing in really good choirs, I thought that what I was experiencing was the sound of heaven. Guys and girls, what you did here is just that sound.

I love Voces8 and I love this song. I’ve sung in many choirs, including some outstanding ones, and listened to God knows how many choirs. The sound that this choir makes is extraordinary. Absolutely gorgeously blended, balanced, rich, warm sound. This is as beautiful as any that I’ve listened to. I’m in awe of these singers and their director. Bravo. Thank you.

Absolutely brilliant. Calendonia is one of my all time favorites by VOCES8, and this version is stunningly beautiful. The richness and pureness of the voices is just incredible.

I don't know if you can see the changes that have come over me In these last few days I've been afraid that I might drift away So I've been telling old stories, singing songs That make me think about where I came from And that's the reasons why I seem so far away today Oh and let me tell you that I love you That I think about you all the time Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home For if I should become a stranger You know that it would make me more than sad Caledonia's been everything I've ever had Oh and I have moved and I've kept on moving Proved the points that I needed proving Lost the friends that I needed losing, found others on the way Oh and I have tried and kept on trying Stolen dreams, yes there's no denying I have travelled hard with conscience flying somewhere with the wind Oh and let me tell you that I love you That I think about you all the time Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home For if I should become a stranger You know that it would make me more than sad Caledonia's been everything I've ever had Now I'm sitting here before the fire, the empty room, the forest choir The flames that couldn't get any higher Well they've withered, now they've gone But I'm steady thinking My way is clear and I know what I will do tomorrow When the hands have shaken and the kisses flow, well I will disappear Oh and let me tell you that I love you That I think about you all the time Caledonia you're calling me and now I'm going home For if I should become a stranger You know that it would make me more than sad Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

I was so privileged to be at this concert. We don't usually get these experiences in USA flyover land. The beauty of the voices and the acoustics of that amazing church made this absolutely stunning. I can't help but laugh that this is an ancient Scottish folk song that dates all the way back to...1977, when Dougie McLean was sitting on a beach, homesick for Scotland ("Caledonia" was the name the Romans gave that land) and composed this in less than an hour.

@McAzn

4 жыл бұрын

I was able to attend this concert as well!

@emncaity

4 жыл бұрын

I thought I'd lost my mind for a second when I saw last fall that these guys were going to be the November event in a local church (a pretty massive Gothic-style Methodist church) in Lubbock, Texas. The church has a series of several events like this every year, and they've had some great international artists. It's an amazing thing. But this was just dropped into our laps. I still can't believe it happened. I'm not telling you anything you don't know when I tell you they were every bit as great as any of their videos here, and then some. Even met them at a reception afterward. I can honestly say I never had a greater experience at a musical event, at least not one where I was a spectator and not a participant. Stunning doesn't even begin to describe it.

@curtisgrindahl446

4 жыл бұрын

As Minnesota native I have to take exception to such "experiences" seldom being available where you live. Perhaps it was because I grew up Lutheran but I'm aware of two Minnesota colleges, Concordia and St. Olaf, whose concert choirs travel internationally. Music in the Lutheran churches was always good, often spectacular. Both the Voces8 group and the choir are wonderful. This was a beautiful performance. My guess is that choir of young people and that director are doing wonderful music throughout the year. That said I wonder if my cousin who is a piano teacher in Buffalo and her husband who was band director in Buffalo attended this concert. Small world.

@mitchm1770

3 жыл бұрын

@@curtisgrindahl446 Minnesota is indeed blessed with a long lived and very solid choral music pedigree. The same cannot be said for other Midwestern locales. They are, in fact, an outlier.

@davidhoadley39

3 жыл бұрын

@@curtisgrindahl446 Point taken, but...Voces8?? An international group that may or may not have ever heard of our little slice of heaven?? With so few "artists" in "the business" in THIS country acknowledging that there's anything between New York and Hollywood, it is refreshing that "fly-over land" got the attention of one of the premier ensembles in the world.

The chorus makes me cry every time. Blessed be!

@1021ajr

2 жыл бұрын

The chorus makes me cry every time, too! I recently discovered this song and have been listening to it a few times each of the last several days. When I hear or try to sing “Let me tell you that …” I get choked up every time and can’t finish the line. It’s a simple statement of a fairly gripping emotion.

I always love hearing Voces8 and they are great here, as usual. But I was also struck by the richness of the sound coming from the St. Michael-Albertville Concert Choir. They may be one of the best high school level choirs I have heard in a very long time. They are getting a tone and a resonance that is well beyond what is typical of a high school level choir, sounding more like not just a college level choir, but a REALLY good college choir. But I guess I am not surprised because the upper midwest produces some truly outstanding choral groups.

@josephosowski5056

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. I was the director in this recording and I couldn’t be more proud of how my students represented our community that evening. It was a night I will never forget. Voces8 are truly champions of education and it’s been a privilege every time we have collaborated. Hoping to do it again very soon.

Had totally missed this. Absolutely love both VOCES8 _and_ Dougie MacLean. I had the opportunity to see VOCES8 live, just kind of dropped into my lap. I can only say that if you ever get the chance, don't miss them. It was unforgettable.

OMG this is just gorgeous! Those harmonies are absolutely amazing. Thank you!!!!

I’ve loved “Caledonia” forever. It’s amazing to listen to this! Beautiful arrangement.

Literally goosebumps all the performance long

A stunning performance. Thank you Voces8 and the equally wonderful St Michael-Albertville Concert Choir. Love from Australia.

What a fantastic evening! What a fine choir! Great opportunity for those students!

Absolutely beautiful.

This should definitely have more views

Heartbreaking! Thanks so much for this performance!

Como siempre, totalmente coordinado, afinado y sublime. 👏😍

Thank you, from Lockdown Wyoming. Such a blessing to see this. Be well, everyone.😷💞🌟

@Evangelist1909

4 жыл бұрын

Hey Melanie, from Lockdown Sapcote (Leicester, UK) Loved that song, and somehow in this Coronavirus I felt close to you guys in the US. I guess we are sharing something in the music. God bless.

@melanieohara6941

4 жыл бұрын

Richard Dixon Hi, Richard, I was married to an Englishman for 40 years. We lived, worked, and studied at Oxford University for three years, then lived in Northamptonshire teaching at OLD Stratford Primary and admin. at Open University in Milton Keynes for another seven years before moving back to Wyoming. Love you Brits-be well, mate!🙋🏼‍♀️💞🌟

Simply Epic!! Love from India🇮🇳

Beautifully done ❤

You can hear the harmonies so much better here than on the enchanted isle album, I love it! A lot of new things stuck out to me

@yongjunpyj

3 жыл бұрын

There's another video of VOCES8 singing this live without a background choir on KZread. The harmonies are even clearer there and it's my favourite recording of Caledonia by far!

Absolutely breathtaking. 😍😢 Greetings from New Zealand ❤

I so love this! And Blake's voice is exquisite!

This is such art. Thank you for sharing this

Beautiful 😭❤️

Absolutely gorgeous sounds!

Absolutely sublime!

Beautiful piece and lovely singing

Totally amazing. The resonance and balance of the soloists and the choir are spectacular!

Really stunning !

so great! i really wish i was there

This is beauty.

This is my school and we are singing with Voces8 tomorrow 😊

Magnificent in every way. Having covered a few pieces from the folk canon please Voces 8 look at the many, many fine songsmiths that folk and roots music has produced. The vein is rich and rewarding.

You all sound amazing!!!

Che mazzata! Veramente eccezionali! 👏👏👏

As a Scottish heritage lass I love this-but Bobby Watts’ is my favourite folk version if memory serves...

As a Scot, I was surprised how much this beautiful song, full of longing for the homeland, was so suitable for the VOCES8 treatment. They are a supremely talented group of singers. However, it should always be a simple song, without mass voices, (the addition of the other large choir, however good) is not so appropriate. Have you heard Voces8 sing Elgar: Nimrod (Lux Aeterna)? I defy anyone to find any choral work to compete in the emotion stakes with that. Astounding, hankies at the ready!!

@alifmuhammadchicago

4 жыл бұрын

That Lux is staggeringly beautiful.

What if we never get to see choirs together like this again 😢

@churchofamerica3612

3 жыл бұрын

God is with us Brandon. Keep it close to your heart and don't let them take it.

Blissful music

Happy chills.

@BrendaOwens

4 жыл бұрын

Exactly!!!

I cried and its real

💛💙

I love this version. It is so different to every other one out there. Seems a really weird choice for a group like yours but koudos to whoever arranged it, they did a fantastic job.

@YourClassicalMPR

2 жыл бұрын

This incredible arrangement was done by Voces8's immensely talented Blake Morgan, the tall, bearded guy.

@Theagchm

2 жыл бұрын

@@YourClassicalMPR It would help if I read the blurb rather than just scanning! Thanks for identifying Mr Morgan and thank you Mr Morgan for this fantasic rendition.

Somewhere there is a class or seminar or something that teaches audience members how to cough during the silent moments.

@bella-bee

Жыл бұрын

Ah, no it’s better than that! They are concentrating during the music, and then cough when released by the silence. They were just saving it up. Helps to think of it like that and I think there’s some truth in it. You don’t notice your cold when mesmerised by beautiful music.

How common for me to make a comment on Katie looking so smooth in the beautifully cut dress. Now, I will return to the performance, I hope! Thanks to you all!

4.14 really warm bass notes

Also Celtic Woman song. I love it.

@brucecollins4729

3 жыл бұрын

not a celtic women song they only covered it.

Acknowledging that VO8 performers are singing an arrangement they might not be familiar with, I noted that the accompanying choir needed no sheet music for their parts. It’s great to see Voces8 in a "natural" environment with their voices still pure and clear in a non - studio recording. . Or maybe it’s all been remastered, but a nice rendition regardless.

@YourClassicalMPR

8 ай бұрын

The audio from this performance has not been altered in any way. If it had been, we would have removed the coughs and baby crying. ;-) You are hearing the live audio exactly as it was recorded with the microphones on view in the video. It was a magical performance.

1:11 the guy smashed the timing of the cough 🤙

Whose arrangement is this? It is breathtaking!

@moishemillerr

4 жыл бұрын

The arrangement is by Blake Morgan!

@mariajosem1860

4 жыл бұрын

@@moishemillerr Thanks!

@davidhoadley39

4 жыл бұрын

@@moishemillerr Who with his brother (one of the altos) was one of the founding members of Voces8.

@woodwardwoodworks

4 жыл бұрын

@@davidhoadley39 Blake Morgan (Tallest gent in the center with long hair and Glasses) is the Only American in the group-He was not a founding member. The Founding Members were Barney and Paul Smith. Barney is still in the ensemble as Artistic Director-seen on the Far Left of the VOCES8 group on stage. Paul Smith leads the entire VOCES8Foundation. Blake Morgan previously sang with Cantus from the Twin Cities and Chanticleer in San Francisco be joining VOCES8 @2016 or 2017

@davidhoadley39

4 жыл бұрын

@@woodwardwoodworks You are correct, of course. Paul Smith was at this concert too with one of his amazing arrangements and I got my names mixed up. Thank you for politely correcting me.

There is nothing more choral than those first three chords 😂

@BrendaOwens

4 жыл бұрын

Heavenly....simply heavenly.

😭

I actually sang with them during this concert, but not in this song

@karenpidcock9872

4 жыл бұрын

ROCK KID526 - and where was the concert? Lucky you!

@davidhoadley39

4 жыл бұрын

Whatever you sang, it was great because the whole concert was amazing.

@gertraudschwemmer6356

4 жыл бұрын

David Hoadley ü

@RobinTheRandom

4 жыл бұрын

@@davidhoadley39 i sang the song Grace with them

@RobinTheRandom

4 жыл бұрын

@@karenpidcock9872 it was at Saint Michael, MN

レベル高い…！

H

First of all let me say I love Voces8. But this has to be the weakest harmony and arrangement from them I have heard. Not sure if its the recording or the acoustics, but it lacks something. Just my opinion and I will not stop listening to them just because of this recording. Caledonia is performed much better by Celtic Women on 'A new Journey' much more alive.

@BrendaOwens

4 жыл бұрын

Wow...while I disagree with your assessment of this performance, I will definitely try to find and listen to your other reference. TY! Choral performances are always subjected to all kinds of acoustical inconveniences (reverb, recording and/or structural acoustics) and you just try to minimize them and do the very best you can. I found this to very uplifting and beautifully well done. I would have driven to Texas had I known they would be there.! Thank you for posting a civil opinion. You sir, are a true gentleman.

@mitchm1770

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what you were expecting from Voces 8. They produce completely clinical (and almost completely soulless) virtuosic presentations of choral works predominantly of the Classical genre. Their musicianship is undeniable but when they need to be 'involved' in the music come up short. It's got nothing to do with acoustics as these are just fine for a live performance. What it lacks is heart.

@Paul.Morgan

3 жыл бұрын

@@mitchm1770 Well, we all have opinions. My opinion is that you're utterly wrong. Here is an example of an intensely emotional performance by VOCES8 kzread.info/dash/bejne/qYSYypKln7CYqbA.html

Sadly this is a travesty of the original song.

@brigro

4 жыл бұрын

I disagree.

@jakajakos

4 жыл бұрын

It is not

@Chris-qt5cb

4 жыл бұрын

Despite the talent of the singers. It has lost any of it's original charm. Plenty of music is universal. This isn't. Go and do a choir cover of a suitable song ffs.

@mitchm1770

3 жыл бұрын

This is a clueless comment. Dougie obviously gave permission to have a choral arrangement of his song completed and it is here performed by one of the premier choral groups in the world with a hand from a youth choir doing an excellent job. I'm not sure what you classify as a 'travesty' but the only travesty I see on display here is someone with a closed mind.

@mitchm1770

3 жыл бұрын

@@Chris-qt5cb in case you missed it the writer (Dougie MacLean) needed to give his permission for a choral arrangement to be published and performed. Seems the only person who doesn't get that this is a 'suitable song' for choral treatment is you.

Totally amazing. The resonance and balance of the soloists and the choir are spectacular!

I don't know if you can see The changes that have come over me In these last few days I've been afraid That I might drift away So I've been telling old stories, singing songs That make me think about where I came from And that's the reason why I seem So far away today Oh, but let me tell you that I love you That I think about you all the time Caledonia you're calling me And now I'm going home If I should become a stranger You know that it would make me more than sad Caledonia's been everything I've ever had Oh and I have moved and I've kept on moving Proved the points that I needed proving Lost the friends that I needed losing Found others on the way Oh and I have tried and kept on trying Stolen dreams yes there's no denying I have traveled far with conscience…