Smile (a cappella)

Smile is one of my favorite songs of all time, and I’ve always wanted to arrange it. Today seemed like a particularly apt day to bring a little sunshine to everyone, so at the last minute I decided to get a little crew together to make it happen.

Much love to everyone!

"Smile" by Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, and Geoffrey Parsons

Soprano: Erin Bentlage
Alto: India Carney
Tenor: Kenton Chen
Bass and arrangement: Ben Bram

Filmed by Ryan Parma
Mixed by Ed Boyer
Edited by Alex Green

Charles Chaplin was a genius. Wonderful rendition. I wish you all "just smile", always.

[ronlarson]

Last August, 2019, I became a widower after 53 years of marriage. As a chorus and quartet singer, I know what it takes to produce such beautifully balanced sound and yours is among the best I have ever heard. It reminds me that until my beloved wife and I meet again, one of the best ways to meet the challenges of living alone for the first time in my life is just to smile often and move on, one foot ahead of the other! I would love to hear more songs by your great group!

[tomboy]

I don't know if you will ever see this, Ben Bram, but I have an immense thanks to give you. My high school a capella choir worked on singing this arrangement for our big state competition in the 2019-20 school year, and some of the most transcendent musical experiences I've ever had were rehearsing this song with my friends and teacher I loved, us all being collectively brought to tears as we sang. We never did get to show off our 6 months of work at the competition because of covid, and now this song is something of a mourning melody to me. It reminds me to smile even though the things I loved are now passed, like our competition, and my choir group going in different directions after that school year ended. And now I find myself coming back to this song years later, after my 15 year old cat passed away a few days ago. You and your fellow performer's incredible talent would make anyone emotional without the nostalgic tint I have, so needless to say, this song has gotten me through a lot, for a long time. Thank you. ❤

[yosua]

My childhood was not that happy. I was not confident of myself and my family who lost the dad's figure. My single mom kept saying to me: Never complain. Be happy for what you have, not for things we don.t have. Smile. Just smile to make people happy. Every time I hear this song, I cannot help crying, remembering my mom who just passed away this year.

[sherryyancey]

I have listened to this Wonderful quartet many times singing “Smile”. This group’s tight harmony with it’s superb message deeply touches my heart & spirit. I have posted it several times also so it can inspire many others. Thank you for sharing~~~such a marvelous experience!

[denisallenlax]

I am a Barbershop nutcase and live for 4 part harmony . The mix of male and female voices is fantastic. The facial expressions and performance are world class.
Spirit of Harmony Barbershop Chorus

[AprilLaManzana]

I get a bass solo! Chamber choir never gives me a solo, but vocal jazz prevails!

[morganmurphy]

I've had an extremely saddening day today and I'm glad that you arranged this. It really made my day better. Thank you.

[dawnhutchins]

The intermingling of alto and tenor lines are pure brilliant. So easy to ignore the middle parts and the intricacies involved in making up the full chords. Excellent arrangement!

[landersax]

*Hi I'm from Brazil. Where is the thousand likes button?*

[robertosion]

One of the most beautiful vocal arranging I ever heard in my life! God bless Carlito's soul, all the love in the world and these wonderful young singers and their arranger! Roberto Sion, Brasil

[bogofusion]

In San Francisco with fire ravaged skies from hundreds of separate burns. This song really uplifted me on contact. Thanks for a much appreciated uplift.

[seyernob]

I can just see Charlie giggle in disbelief seeing how his song could sound so beautiful through the magic of human voices in harmony. Hard work pays off magnificently. Thank you for sharing your talents.

[macalif]

Beautiful. Charley Chaplin would be proud.

[kerriefraser]

I teach music at an elementary school and this song features two of our important vocabulary words: quartet and a cappella. All of my students have watched this. They have been absolutely mesmerized by the sublime vocals, the expressive facial expressions, and the lush harmonies. Thank you so much! They do wonder why the tenor doesn't take a turn singing the "main part". haha It's absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.

[austinstephens]

just realized after listening for a couple years now you've added a sneaky fifth part at the end!

[Sylvanoskovich]

Fantastic arrangement. Harmonic discoveries to die for. I cried. Thank you so much.

[yoshidano]

今日は良い日だったかも？
いつものように暇に任せてネットサーフィンしてました。


こりゃ何べん聞いても涙が出てくるぞ！

[dvdbeattie]

Ben Bram does love to arrange in 5 part harmony... (Pentatonix, etc.) As an arranger myself, I have to say I love it too. 5 part harmony is the best! There are chords you can do with 5 parts (including but not limited to 9th chords) that you just can't with a quartet! (Most of the song was in 4 parts though.) Truly a great arranger and a great arrangement. :) Loved the rich chords, and also the attention to guiding us through the challenging lyrics of the song, simultaneously sad and upbeat, with an appropriately serious, but also ringing and joyful arrangement. Thanks, Ben Bram.

[Grampz]

Absolutely mind-blowing harmony, timing arrangement and composition. This is medicine to lift the weight of covid 19 from anyone listening. The hairs stand up on my neck!!!