<![CDATA[Baha'i Choral Music - Blog]]>Fri, 25 Aug 2023 04:39:01 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[The Divine Melody: Song of the mystic Dove]]>Wed, 23 Nov 2022 00:51:05 GMThttp://bahaichoralmusic.com/blog/the-divine-melody-song-of-the-mystic-dove
I am soooooo excited to share this new Compilation! This book is a ​collection of gems from the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith that refer to the Word of God as music emanating from the Mystic Dove or the Nightingale of Paradise. This beautiful and mystical concept refers not only to the Divine Word as a melody but also to the spiritual calling for us to spread the Divine Word in song and to lift up our voices to the praise and glorification of God.

Click on the image to access your FREE download in either PDF or ePUB format, or you can also purchase a physical copy with Print On Demand.

Let us know what you think of the book or if you have any insights on the topic!
The compilation "is so beautiful it made me cry. Music is truly a ladder for the soul." 
~ Eva. L.
Picture
The Divine Melody: Song of the Mystic Dove Compiled by Lorraine Manifold
]]><![CDATA[November 23rd, 2022]]>Wed, 23 Nov 2022 00:44:45 GMThttp://bahaichoralmusic.com/blog/november-23rd-2022We've been busy the last few years creating Contemplative Music Videos, which are meant to help us meditate and focus on the Word of God without being distracted by performers. Here is our YouTube playlist.

And here are some examples. Hope you enjoy them. Let us know what you think or which choral songs you would like to see in this format!
]]><![CDATA[Temple Songs]]>Sun, 21 Jan 2018 04:02:56 GMThttp://bahaichoralmusic.com/blog/temple-songsI think a lot about Temple songs. What I mean by a Temple song is a song that can be sung in one of the Bahá'í Houses of Worship. There’s specific guidance about that, you know. The most recent such guidance that I’ve seen is from the Universal House of Justice in 2015. The House stated:
 
“Lyrics used in songs being performed in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár need not be confined to the Writings; rather, what is required is that they be based upon Bahá'í or other sacred writings and contain Bahá'í themes. It should be noted that the standard for lyrics used in songs performed is somewhat different from the standard for Writings and prayers to be read or chanted in devotional programmes in Houses of Worship. There is therefore no objection to the use of songs based on the Writings and talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” [From a letter dated 2 November 2015 letter from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia]
 
In addition to the above guidance about lyrics, there is also the provision that only the human voice may be used in the House of Worship. No instruments may be used, nor is recorded music used. Songs may be performed by soloists or by groups, i.e. choirs.
 
There is some great Bahá’í choral music that can’t be performed in a House of Worship, such as songs that are not based on scripture, and songs set for choir and instruments, whether orchestra, piano, guitar, or something else.
 
But Temple songs hold a special place in my heart, and I don’t think that obsession is entirely misplaced, because I think it will become increasingly important. Just two years ago, there were only seven Bahá’í Houses of Worship in the world. Currently, there are ten and there will be at least three more in the near future. There is no doubt that this is only the start of a growing movement to have Temples at every level – continental, national, and local – all around the globe.
 
All of these Temples will need music! 'Abdu'l-Bahá expressed His hope that “… the melodies of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár may rise at dawntide to the Concourse on high, and the songs of the nightingales of God may bring joy and ecstasy to the denizens of the All-Glorious Realm”. He remarked on, “… how abundant shall be the freshness, tenderness, spirituality, and radiance that are attained when ye assemble in that gathering place of the spirit, occupy yourselves at dawn with the remembrance of God, and, after reciting prayers, make mention together of the Most Bountiful Lord in sweet melodies.”
 
In its 2012 Ridván message, the Universal House of Justice talked about “two essential, inseparable aspects of Bahá’í life: worship and service” and they went on to say that it was in localities where the correlation of these two is “especially pronounced” that “the emergence of a local Mashriqu’l-Adhkár can be contemplated”. Any community wanting to have a local Mashriqu’l-Adhkár should concentrate on creating a culture where worship and service are interwoven through all of their activities, which is basically to work on progressing the frontiers of the framework of the Plans.
 
When we get there, we’ll want to have lots of songs to sing. So, we’re already in the process of collecting songs that would be suitable. And we also encourage composers to add more and more songs to this collection. Every locality will have the exciting prospect of creating their own music that can be sung in their local Temple. But the songs that we can create and collect now will give them some songs to start with and hopefully some good models to build on as they create their own repertoire.
]]><![CDATA[Choral Favourites: The Next Generation]]>Tue, 26 Sep 2017 01:32:18 GMThttp://bahaichoralmusic.com/blog/choral-favourites-the-next-generation​The soul-stirring music from the 1992 World Congress took the Baha'i world by storm. It was the first time that Baha'i choral music hit a world stage, which gave it universal appeal. Add that to the fact that it was marvellous music, well performed by a large choir accompanied by orchestra, and made available shortly afterwards in recorded form, and you have the recipe for what has become the favourite repertoire for Baha'i choirs.

Now, twenty-five years later, Baha'i Choral Festivals have been held at three of the Continental Houses of Worship, an international choir was assembled for the dedication of the Temple in Chile, and several events have brought choirs together at the World Centre. The upcoming bicentenary of the Birth of Baha'u'llah is inspiring numerous Baha'i communities to include choral music in their programs. We have received inquiries from choirs asking for the sheet music for O Baha'u'llah, God Is Sufficient Unto Me, and other songs performed at the World Congress. These pieces, originally arranged for performance with an orchestra, have been adaptated as a cappella works, but may have lost something in the process. As this Bicentenary year is increasing the opportunities for singing Baha'i-themed choral music, the music from the World Congress, wonderful as it is, simply does not provide sufficient range and quantity.

Fortunately, growth in Baha'i choirs around the world is fueling a boom in the creation and discovery of new choral works, particularly including a cappella songs based on scripture (a must for singing them in Houses of Worship). On this site alone, we are making available sheet music for nearly 500 songs from composers all around the world.

It makes us wonder about the next generation of favourite choral pieces. There are already some contenders for this honour. From Germany, we have Ameli Dziemba's delightful setting of Alláh'u'Abhá, which has already been performed in at least three of the continental Houses of Worship. Pierre Weber from Kosovo has composed several awesome pieces over the past few years, including the remarkable Light of Unity. Perhaps new favourites will arise from Africa, such as Hannington Mutebi's Nakutonda or one of the many pieces posted on YouTube by the Johannesburg Baha'i Choir. Finland's Yrjö Mikkonen has several standout songs, such as his Rejoice, which we just performed at the 2017 Australian Baha'i Choral Festival. We'd love to see some Australian compositions make the list, and there is excellent music coming from composers in Asia and both North and South America as well.

Wherever the next generation of favourites comes from, we're greatly looking forward to the increased diversity and choice that will come from composers old and new. Everybody loves to hear old favourites, but it is only with new offerings that both audiences and choristers will continue to find vibrant life in Baha'i choral music. Bring on the new to supplement the old!]]><![CDATA[Sublime SACRED choral piece]]>Tue, 22 Aug 2017 10:03:14 GMThttp://bahaichoralmusic.com/blog/sublime-sacred-choral-pieceOk. This is really sublime. And because 2017 is the Bicentennial year of the Birth of Baha'u'llah, we decided we really had to sing it at the 2017 Australian Baha'i Choral Festival! The harmonies are so rich and glorious. The shape of the music reflects the text so well. The climax just brings you to heaven and the ending keeps you there. The composer is (or was) a student at St Olaf College in Minnesota, USA, where he was pursuing his Bachelor of Music in both Vocal Performance and Music Education. He writes the story of how he composed this piece, which can be found on the last page of his published music (available from Santa Barbara Music Publishiing):

"The inspiration for This is the Day originated with a friend of his Khashiar Shahbazi, who with great excitement shared this passage he had read as part of his daily devotional. Stanford was instantly touched by the sheer magnitude and power of the message, as well as its elegance and grace. This piece is my best musical translation of that sensation.  

The first part of the piece (mm 1-33) was composed with a sense of awe at God's power, and should be sung accordingly. The latter part of the piece is meant to give a sense of peaceful rest to the singer and listener, with an air of intimacy in mm. 40-46."

The quotation Stanford is referring to reads as follows:
​"This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving kindness". ~ Baha'u'llah.

Purchase the sheet music here: http://www.sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=916

Enjoy this beautiful rendition!
]]>