Music and Traditions
As someone who has been making music more nearly all of my life, I have shockingly few specific traditions and rituals associated with particular songs, but there is at least one that I remember and still participate in. One of the traditions that still sticks with me connects to my high school choir. I went to Cane Bay High School, and every year, during the final concert of the year, we would perform Billy Joel's "Lullaby." Specifically, my choir would sing the King's Singers arrangement:
Additionally, there are a few other parts to this tradition. Before this song is performed, any Alumni of the school who were ever part of the choir are invited onto the stage to sing alongside the rest of the choir. This is an opportunity for alumni to sing alongside their former classmates and current choir members they may have known during their time. As well as serving as an alumni reunion song, this is also used as a senior send-off song. As the alumni make their way on stage, the current seniors all move to the front row of the choir, typically wearing some kind of shirt or hoodie from the school or career they are going into after graduation. When it comes to the solo verse, "Goodnight, my angel now it's time to dream / and dream how wonderful your life will be...", regardless of what voice part they typically sing, all seniors sing the melody and everyone else remains on their normal voice parts forming the harmonies. This allows the seniors to have the melody as they sing their farewells to the choir they are leaving behind. This song has always stuck with me as a way to remember four of the best choral years of my life and some of the amazing friends I made along the way.
I thought this song, particularly this version, was a mostly forgotten farewell song that only still holds meaning in the hearts of my former choir members and I, but apparently the King's Singers didn't forget about it either because they recently reused the opening harmonies in their album of Disney songs. Specifically, they used it in their cover of "Remember Me" from Coco to incredible effect. Not only will that opening always hold a special place in my heart, but they also used it to connect Billy Joel's farewell lullaby song to "Remember Me," a lullaby in the context of the movie which is also a farewell song. It may not be recognized by the majority of listeners, but regardless, the beautiful harmonies perfectly capture the feeling of a loving, yet somber, farewell.
Noah, great post! Even though are experiences are so different because I've never were a part of a choir group, I understand how certain songs can capture a feeling of farewell and that is truly a blessing. However, my parents are members of the choir for one of our local churches and even though the songs sang are different, there are so many similarities, such as the clothes wore! Also, I love the movie Coco and I find the song "Remember Me" very emotional.
ReplyDeleteHey Noah, I was not part of a choir group during high school, but I do remember specific songs that the choir group would sing every year. I also think it is so cool that they let previous alumni come back and sing with y'all each year. At every school event I remember us having to sing our school alma mater. They also have everyone at graduation sing it, especially the people who have already graduated and that are in the crowd. I agree when I hear specific songs it does make me think of my high school again.
ReplyDeleteHey Noah, I loved hearing The King’s Singers cover of Remember Me! The harmonies really evoke heartwarming feelings within you. I too have specific songs that I performed in my high school orchestra to send off the seniors. They definitely stay with you wherever you go and forever change the meaning of the songs.
ReplyDeleteHey! These are some interesting selections! I don't make music, but back in middle school, I was in the choir, and we had to sing "Remember Me." It's funny because I completely forgot about that song, but once I heard it, it took me back to that time.
ReplyDeleteYour choir’s tradition with Lullaby is such a meaningful way to honor seniors and bring alumni together! While I don’t have a tradition quite like this, I can relate to how music strengthens bonds and creates lasting memories. In my experiences, worship and gospel music have played a similar role in bringing people together, especially in church. It’s amazing how a song can hold so much sentimental value and even resurface unexpectedly, like with Remember Me. Music truly has a way of making goodbyes feel more meaningful and connected!
ReplyDeleteHello Noah, Listening to "remember me" will always leave me feeling peaceful and a little sad. It truly is a great song, whether it's the original or the disney version. I believe I cried when I first heard it play during "Coco".
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