2018 US Summer Tour

[Protiusmime]

Greetings all, The Facebook link goes to Mr. Ramirez website where he briefly mentions that he attended Libera's concert at Tobin Center and subsequently interviewed the three young men. There is no mention of any venue or medium where the interview was to be used. That is all.

[filiarheni]

Thank you for your review, Lucas. It was a pleasure to read, as it was a very emotional one and for me these personal parts are the most interesting: I love to hear about the way how everyone receives and feels what is going on as well as the indivdual interpretation of the music. The objective facts are important, but the subjective way of experiencing is what makes a review worth reading it and the collection of reviews colourful.

- The younger singers (Cassius, Daniel, etc.) were simply delightful. And from a teaching perspective, I found it equally precious, relatable, and humorous that they did not have the most stellar control over the bodies during stretches of the concert (fidgeting, fixing hair, BIG yawns, etc.). My singers and I regularly work on correcting these types of habits in rehearsals, so I did feel a certain sense of appreciation for the fact that even the stars of Libera might have to develop certain control, too. I sometimes forget that all of them were, at one time, beginners also! (This whole point is intended to be very positive, not picking on the youngsters!)

Actually, this is what I love about Libera: They bring us touching music of highest quality and affect our lives to the positive, but at the very same time they still stay the children they simply are. And so I appreciate seeing them on stage with all that personal behaviour: Yawning, fidgeting, drawing their sleeves hoping they will become longer (Ely 2017) etc. makes me smile for long after (also now while I'm writing this ), whereas a perfect stage behaviour would leave admiration perhaps, but not that kind of real enjoyment inside. They seem closer to us when they do that and I like it that Roberts lets them have their way. As long as it has no influence on the quality, it's fine. I'm not against training, but not too much, as something is won, but on the other hand, something can get lost as well ...
Please, don't see that as criticism. I got your point! It's just my thoughts in addition to yours, on that aspect of a children's choir.

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I'm pessimistic about Nearer being recorded for two reasons. The first is that it is not even on the program. While I am not sure why that is, it seems to demonstrate a sort of lack of commitment to the song....maybe. The other reason is that no fully acapella song has ever been recorded by them on an album (please correct me if I am wrong). The only exception was the "Danny Boy" live video, but that's a video not an album track.

Gladly there is correction possible with The Lamb and Mother of God. So this opens the door for hope. Btw, Mother of God will also be on "Beyond", so if this one is maintained a cappella, then it wouldn't be so alone, if Nearer My God To Thee were on the same album ... ... ...

I think you may be right! I had to listen very carefully and with headphones to double-check you. Are you 100% sure about "Mother of God"? It sounds like there might be a light instrument or synth sound somewhere in there, but my ear lacks the training to tell. But I would be inclined to believe that you are right. Definitely "The Lamb" is without any instrumentation. The result of this discovery is a marked increase in my optimism.

I listened again with headphones (which I rarely do) and heard what you mean. Not being completely sure, I think it is a cappella, but was worked on with diverse kinds of studio effects. By the way, I'd find it highly interesting to know how many voices sang the song for the recording. But this will certainly be a secret forever. I'm very curious whether the "Beyond" version will be a new recording and if so, what they will make out of this song!

I was wondering, too, why it is still not listed in the programme. Hard to say. Maybe they just want to remain independent and able to not perform it at short notice, as an a cappella song is very demanding, you can't support secretly with other voices or cover something with instruments. All voices soloing - that is very "honest".
Or perhaps they consider a sextet as so indivdual and different from the full choir pieces that they want to have it be "parallel" to the official set list?

That would seem to make sense because they could bail out on the song if one of the boys became sick and couldn't sing it or something. Logical. At the same time they never did that with songs that relied completely upon a single soloist (think Schubert's "Ave Maria").

Could it be as simple as they forgot to include it in Ely and then made the same error in the US? The program is pretty much identical in design and such too, so they clearly used the same template.

Spinning the speculation further : For such Ave Maria they had to rely on one, but here they are six equally important voices ... I can't say in how far they have trained other soloists for this piece to replace one of them if it came to the worst.
"Forgot" was my thought too, but it's hard to think that something like that happens twice, moreover because they did work on the page, as the swap of Salva Me and Wayfaring Stranger shows. Or maybe it was left out with intention in Ely to draw back in case the boys had not had enough training and the song was not finished and then they simply let the programme be that way also for the US, but what for?
Or is it simply meant as special surprise treat, not for us fans anymore, but for the new concertgoers?

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Next topic (so much work today! ):

I found something involving Libera from Xavier Ramirez, who works for Higher Intentions Productions out of Austin, TX. Three members (Alex G., Leo, Daniel) are shown being interviewed I assume.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlvfHi3lsmM ... rintention
https://www.facebook.com/higherintention. I can't view the Facebook photo, because I don't have a Facebook account.

It was posted on 23rd July, 10:00 pm, and the literal wording is:
"Just had a great interview with the young stars of the World famous Libera choir. They are performing at the Tobin center tomorrow. #tvinspires"

I also have another piece of information. Libera will be doing a service at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church Sunday at 9:30 and will be singing "Prayer".

As it can get difficult to access a link, here a view of it (with the pasted concert announcement of page 11). In addition to The Prayer, they will also sing Joyful Joyful.

Libera Service Plano 2018-07-29.JPG (260.38 KiB) Viewed 1669 times

Libera Service Plano 2018-07-29.JPG (260.38 KiB) Viewed 1669 times

[Surpinto]

Thank you for the correction, filiarheni. When I made my post about the service I was severely multi-tasking to try and get caught up with stuff after returning from San Antonio and I missed that part. In addition to "Prayer" and "Joyful Joyful" I failed to mention that the whole thing will be live-streamed!

https://www.standrewumc.org/live

[PaulWSpaceRockDodger]

Many thanks for all the online Forum reviews of the current Libera tour in the US. For those of us who are not able to attend the concerts, these reviews provide wonderful insights into the latest accomplishments of this impressive choir. As always, the consistent record of excellence that has been maintained by Libera over the years under the direction of Robert Prizeman is amazing!

[maartendas]

In addition to "Prayer" and "Joyful Joyful" I failed to mention that the whole thing will be live-streamed!

https://www.standrewumc.org/live

Off topic but I'd love to find out what the Killer Fish bit is which is announced in the programme
This particular church seems quite to my taste in terms of an open attitude, regarding the small print on the bottom of the page: "Please rise in body or in spirit", and explaining how "catholic" in the Creed means "universal".
Ofcourse I know this would be a great church - after all, they host Libera!

Ok, back on topic...

[dani]

Is Joyful Joyful a American song as out of the concert set list I can not fathom why they would choose that as one of the two songs on a live feed?

It’s a ok song but they have a lot better songs that would sell them better IMO.

[filiarheni]

I think they chose it, because it is a well-known tune to everyone and many people like to hear something they are familiar with. Plus, with The Prayer they have a soloist song and this one is choir only, so that is balanced. I'm not a fan of Joyful Joyful either (too familiar ) and would prefer a different song, yet I can comprehend Robert's choice.

[frankstuart]

Is Joyful Joyful a American song as out of the concert set list I can not fathom why they would choose that as one of the two songs on a live feed?

It’s a ok song but they have a lot better songs that would sell them better IMO.

The piece that "Joyful, Joyful" is based on is the final movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The melody is one of the best-known pieces of music in the world. Libera has presented several versions of it over the years and it continues to change and evolve as Libera has changed and evolved in its music and Dr. Prizeman's vision. For those who hear it for the first time in concert, it is always a fantastic moment that is always remembered.

[bachmahlerfan]

Was the service at St. Andrew's UMC from earlier this evening live streamed, because Libera apparently sang at that one. Also, I noticed in recent photos, including one from the service earlier this evening, that Daniel White is often standing next to Leo. Does that mean he has a similar high range, or are there other reasons for him standing there?

[Surpinto]

Was the service at St. Andrew's UMC from earlier this evening live streamed, because Libera apparently sang at that one. Also, I noticed in recent photos, including one from the service earlier this evening, that Daniel White is often standing next to Leo. Does that mean he has a similar high range, or are there other reasons for him standing there?

No it was not live-streamed. Photos from the service? I only saw one on social media. Can you maybe link some for us?

Daniel has the same range as Isaac who previously sang that song. That range is somewhere in the middle; definitely not the high range Leo is on. The boys would not appear to be positioned on stage based solely on their voice ranges. Many choirs do that but Libera does not appear to in concerts.

I am not sure exactly what the pattern is to where they stand. If anyone knows I hope they can share! But they are certainly not placed into position on voice range alone.

[bachmahlerfan]

No it was not live-streamed. Photos from the service? I only saw one on social media. Can you maybe link some for us?

Daniel has the same range as Isaac who previously sang that song. That range is somewhere in the middle; definitely not the high range Leo is on. The boys would not appear to be positioned on stage based solely on their voice ranges. Many choirs do that but Libera does not appear to in concerts.

I am not sure exactly what the pattern is to where they stand. If anyone knows I hope they can share! But they are certainly not placed into position on voice range alone.

Well, that's alright, since I'll be free to watch the live stream tomorrow morning. In regards to Daniel W., I suppose his true range will become clear in the next six months to a year. I hesitate to determine his range based on a solo, because there have been high-note specialists in the past who did solos which were strictly in the low-mid range.

[Yorkie]

I also have another piece of information. Libera will be doing a service at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church Sunday at 9:30 and will be singing "Prayer".

As it can get difficult to access a link, here a view of it (with the pasted concert announcement of page 11). In addition to The Prayer, they will also sing Joyful Joyful.


Libera Service Plano 2018-07-29.JPG

I like how they have to clarify the meaning of Catholic in the Apostles' Creed

The St Andrews Website is a little confusing to me and I see there are two services at once - a traditional and a contemporary. I assume that Libera will be at the traditional service but does anybody know the correct link for the live feed?

[dani]

I think Daniel W will become a leading soloist within the next year as he is 9 and got a solo in his second concert and is now doing promo with some of the other boys. He seems to definitely be of the current batch to watch.

[feinstei]

I sponsored this tour. I'm going to be attending the 3-August concert. A friend of mine who has connections to Libera's history and I will be taking a road trip from South Bend to LA for the concert. I have never been to a Libera concert before and am looking forward to hearing the kids... From the reviews I've heard of the San Antonio concert, these kids are AT LEAST comparable to the very best choirs from the past... They sing beautifully and with incredible inspiration. The soloists sing beautifully...

I would ask a huge favo(u)r of all of you... We need to fill up these venues on the 2018 American tour. If you have any relatives, friends, etc who are in the vicinity of the concert venues, please let them know how inspiring and how wonderful Libera is and encourage them to go to these concerts. If you go to church, university, or are in a social club in Dallas, San Francisco, or LA, please spread the word. There are great seats still available and full venues guarantee future tours of North America. As we Libera fans know, these concerts are wonderful "family friendly" events. Please act as "Libera Ambassadors" for the kids and the wonderful volunteer personnel staff who support and care for the boys. Even if your friends and family can't pre-buy tickets, there will still be seats available at the door.

From what I've heard, the kids had a wonderful time at the movies on Saturday....

[Surpinto]

I like how they have to clarify the meaning of Catholic in the Apostles' Creed

I noticed that as well!

The St Andrews Website is a little confusing to me and I see there are two services at once - a traditional and a contemporary. I assume that Libera will be at the traditional service but does anybody know the correct link for the live feed?

I assume the same. The only live-stream link I am aware of is https://www.standrewumc.org/live