USC Thornton Chamber Singers: 'Brightest and Best' arr. by Shawn Kirchner

The USC Thornton Chamber Singers perform "Brightest and Best" arranged by Shawn Kirchner at the 2014 Winter Gala. Jo-Michael Scheibe, conductor; Clara Kim, violin; Teddy Gabrielides, double bass; Aram Arakelyan, piano.

[mamafromcalgary]

We’re singing this this year and I thought we were keeping our pianist on her toes until I heard the violin. Bravo!

[barbarawinters]

I don't just "like" this; I LOVE it. What a worship experience....

[michaelvalinis]

I love this arrangement and performance!



BRIGHTEST AND BEST

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning;
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Based on Isaiah 60: 1-6, this hymn was written in 1811 by Anglican bishop Reginald Heber (1783-1826) to be sung at the feast of Epiphany. It was set to various tunes in the 19th century, the melody heard here being “Star in the East” by American Baptist William “Singin’ Billy” Walker (1809-1875), song leader, shape-note “singing master, ” and compiler of four shape note tunebooks. The most notable of these was “The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion” (1835) from which this piece is taken. The spectacular arrangement, a showpiece for SATB chorus and piano, with added violin and string bass, is by Shawn Kirchner.

[avadakedavra]

This is, by far the most energized performance of the piece I’ve heard. Love it!

[jjsmith]

Great sound by the USC Chamber singers. Love choral music and the various parts. Love it!

[katstarrmusic]

Wow! Amazing arrangement and performance! That violinist is awesome!

[caseychildersphotography]

This is so refreshing to watch and listen to. The energy and connectedness to the music and line, especially watching the violinst. Wow!

[evedavies]

My daughter sang this from r her school program. She played it for me. Still my beating heart!❤️

[angelosdaughterc]

Just heard this hymn this morning on PBS and fell in love. Such energy and joy!!!

[durban]

I’m playing this with my high school chorus. I’m playing solo violin. Thanks for this!

[soniaharden]

Love this. We did this on 19 Nov at DVC in Pleasant Hill CA.

[rogerbro]

Hail the bless’d morn, see the great Mediator down from the regions of glory descend!
Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger, lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.
Star in the East, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining, low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

Brightest and best …

Shall we not yield him in costly devotion, odours of Edom and off’rings divine,
Gems of the mountains and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?

Brightest and best …

Brightest and best …

[peaceandallgood]

Tune: Star in the East, from the Southern Harmony, 1835.

[nagol]

I’m supposed to do this for class and we’re going way slower
I’m scared now

[mr.shinypikachu]

I sang this song in a Christmas concert a few weeks ago. The Tenor part gets pretty high by the end... I couldn't quite hit the A over Middle C.

[jenniferbrooke-davidson]

Wow!  Where could I get that arrangement?  Love

[daytonglitch]

too many Christmas song son YouTube with too little views

[phyllispetras]

I do like the version by Jean version!!!

[pravoslavn]

This is a paradigm example of a modern "arranger" wreaking havoc and ruining a perfectly good, traditional and stately hymn of the church. What a terrible, graceless mess ! The arranger does not know the aesthetic difference between sacred and secular, and he has secularized a work of sacred music. I would not patronize a church where "music" such as this was "offered."