CWU Chamber Choir: Ola Gjeilo, Ubi Caritas (unaccompanied)

"Ubi Caritas" (Ola Gjeilo) is sung by The CWU Chamber Choir (Gary Weidenaar, director).

In mid-April, 2011, composer Ola Gjeilo spent 3 days on the Central Washington University Campus to join the choir in recording 3 of his pieces, (the teaser/trailer URL is found below)

This performance of Gjeilo's "Ubi Caritas" is from that session, following a rendition in which the composer joined the choir and improvised an accompaniment (URL below). In this video the choir sings the piece in its published (unaccompanied) version.

One behind-the-scenes comment: On the last page of the piece, when the first melodic material occurs again - Ola, who was sitting in the hall, asked half the choir to hum while the other half sang to create a more ethereal effect.

The CWU Chamber Choir also has recorded videos of the music of Monteverdi, Muehleisen, Singh, Victoria, and Rautavaara on YouTube

Gjeilo "In the Moment" teaser/trailer:

"Ubi Caritas" (with the composer creating an improvised accompaniment):

To follow the choir on Facebook (page includes selected audio clips and URL's to all videos):

All CWU Chamber Choir videos found on YouTube are posted only after an agreement is reached or a contract is signed with the composer and/or copyright holder of the piece(s).

[Urban_snake_]

When I was in high school our choir teacher taught us this version of the song. When we performed it for the first time in the school hall, the whole school went quiet. I can't describe the feeling bros, it was ethereal af. Peeps were crying. This is my favorite choir song I've ever had the absolute pleasure of performing, and it's one of my favorite pieces of music ever. Just stunning

[robertsteely]

It's so refreshing to hear Sopranos and Altos singing in near-perfect, if not utterly perfect, unison without some Diva ruining the experience. Bravo!

[Nancy]

This piece is the closest I've heard to the indefinable perfect choral sound. And this choir's rendition really is perfection.

[Leelipus]

10 years ago... and still one of the best version of this masterpiece ! (*goosebumps*) ....

[kristinlexow]

I just love the sound of the different voices blending perfectly, the absence of soprano vibrato and over all the composed way of conducting this absolutely wonderful piece of music by Gjeilo. I can listen to this piece over and over again ...

[LootFragg]

Damn. Here I thought WE were singing it well. Cough. What really kinda got me was the half-hum, half-sing bit in the end. Found it curious but it gave me slight goosebumps when the Amen finished. What a guy, that Gjeilo. Good choir. Good mustache on that conductor.

[Fulano-de-Tal]

Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.

Thank you, Gary and Choir, for this beautiful music.

[ntombigijana]

they are absolutely amazing....angelic voices on earth, God is alive in music 

[lynholl]

This extraordinary performance of Gjeilo's masterpiece gave me goosebumps. It is perfection itself!!💖

[devonharris]

Wow. My high school choir just got introduced to this today. We have a long way to go

[noahcoe]

open two separate tabs of this video, play one video until 0:34, stop, then play the second one at 0:11 simultaneously with the first video at 0:34!
Enjoy the beautiful canon.

[ProLifeLife]

This is the song I was singing when I met my now-fiance at a Lent concert!!!! I've been looking for a good version. OH MY GOSH. You are all my HEROES!!! This is PHENOMENAL. Absolutely breathtaking.

[rb]

Everything about this recording delights me, right up to the final decrescendo on that sustained "n." Lovely work, folks.

[PurplePanda]

I just love this song. My high school choir did it so I was humming along to the alto part. :) This was a beautiful rendition!

[monster]

This piece is stunning! This choir performs this piece brilliantly! Bravo!

[MoogieB]

My all women church choir just performed this at a Tenebrae service last Sunday. I brought my music home to practice along with this magnificent choir. Thank you for posting on YouTube. I love singing it—2nd Alto.

[beckycompton]

Wow! So beautifully sung. Thank you for posting.

[gsptufg]

In this crazy chaotic world this reminds me of something truly important.

[doloresvb]

I think this is the best interpretation of this piece! Well at least my favorite! ❤️ Great job!

[gardener]

The superior vocal dynamics emitted from this wonderful choir is an audible tribute to the directorship of Gary Weidenaar.  While listening, one need only to close your eyes and feel transcended into a historic, Europian  cathedral or basilica and a thrilling spirituality..  Outstanding choir, outstanding director!