It's nice to hear children singing it. I like the two-part style of the refrain.
It's also nice that the congregation was invited to sing along. It's
interesting to hear Mr. Stebbe's comments after the singing, too.

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Thanks, kristyjo. From one music educator to another, those are kind words.

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on a spiritual classic. The kids DID do a nice job. Kudos to the children
and glory to God! And thanks to Mr. Stebbe.

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Thanks, Mr. Conductor. Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to
listen.



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I liked how the kids sounded more confident as the performance
progressed.

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Thanks for noticing that, mungo. Yes, they did become more confident as
time went on. It's not easy to get up and sing for 500 adults when you're 9
years old (or even 46 years old!). But they are a great bunch of kids, and they
really came through.


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You are very happy.
Children are pure and beautiful.

You did very significant music.
I wanted to be there also me.


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Thank you, Tadashi.

Your comments are always very poetic, like a Haiku. Very enjoyable to read.

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So many years of chorus, jr. high, high school, college. I particularly like hearing the conductor (you) giving the breathing cues. I'm a little unclear though, are you playing this live, or are they singing to the track you made?

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Thanks, Chris. What you're hearing is the kids singing along to the recording
of the accompaniment track.

But I'm glad you had to ask the question. That's exactly the effect I was going
for! When you have the choir sing along to a well-produced, fully
orchestrated accompaniment track, it does sound good, but there's no doubt
in anyone's mind that the accompaniment is "cannned," even among those
who hear it later, without seeing the performance. But if the track is "piano
only," then people have to do a double-take -- is it live or not? And I'm glad
you thought that it might be live.

I have tried using real live human accompanists, but the benefits of having
prerecorded tracks for my choirs far outweighs any benefit of the "human
presence" in the accompaniments.

Thanks for your kind words, Chris.

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Very nice arrangement, John! The piano part provided an excellent foundation for the vocals.

I, too, thought at first that the piano might be live. The acoustics of the room reminded me so much of my childhood, when my piano/vocal teacher mother directed the kids' chorus at my elementary school, while playing the piano. It sounded very much like this. Anyway, after reading here that the piano was recorded, I am amazed at how good it sounded in this performance.

The kids DID indeed do a great job here! This song goes straight to the heart, and is a very nice change of pace to listen to on this site.

I particularly enjoyed your commentary at the end. It heightened the freshness and immediacy of this performance.

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Thanks, Cameron. I just read your bio, and it's great to have a pro like you
on this site. I will definitely have to check out your stuff.

The songwriting is strong on this track (no thanks to me), and the
accompaniment track did help the kids sing well, I think, but the main event
is (are?) the children themselves. They are the heart and soul on this track,
and they are a great blessing to me. One fourth-grade girl a couple weeks
ago told me that she sings "It Is Well" all the time now, and it is now her
favorite song. Makes me think I'm doing something right!

Again, Cameron, thanks for stopping to listen and thanks for your generous
comments.

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walking on a cloud!!! teachers are the same the world over!!! that being said... what a delight - these voices are like a breath of fresh air john - please, please keep sharing their beautiful voices with us for they dwell in the house of tomorrow which i cannot visit, not even in my dreams.

thank you - all of you xoxo

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Boy, those are very kind words. Thanks, Caroline. Those kids are a real
blessing to me, too. I suppose I forget how privileged I am to be their teacher
sometimes, but comments like yours make me count my blessings.

And your comment, "they dwell in the house of tomorrow which i cannot visit,
not even in my dreams." -- that's very intriguing. (And poetic.) I wonder
what you mean?

Best,

John

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This is my all time favorite hymn. Great job everyone!

I always sang bass in choir. The response through the chorus, %u201CIt is well, (It is well)%u2026%u201D are my all time favorite lyrics to sing in harmony with others. What a wonderful opportunity to sing with these children, and then with the congregation.

%u201CWhen sorrow, like sea billows roll%u2026%u201D always bring me to tears, when I think of my Dad who now is with the Lord, and never echoed a single complaint in his suffering last days, but would have proclaimed to all, %u201CIt is well with my soul%u201D to the very end of his life.

Thanks for posting it.

-Harold

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I apologize my quotation marks left %u2026%u201D on everything

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Thanks, Harold. I'm glad this song could touch you in this way. It sure does
affect a lot of people. One of my ten-year-old girls in the choir now says, "I
sing this all the time now. It's my favorite song!" Makes me think I'm doing
something right.

I look forward to meeting your dad in glory.

John


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I agree, i love children singing songs, there is something pure about it.
Love the music part aswell, very soothing.

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I was completely sure the piano was live!! :) it is truly beautiful melody, brilliantly played on piano. Those high repeating notes, straight from the beginning, bring to my imagination an image of fluttering wings of a little skylark somewhere high on the blue sky, with a big shining sun behind. I don't know this song, never heard it before. It has lovely melody and the children are really sweet. It reminds me of my childhood as well. Oh how I adored singing in the choir and what an event it always was, to have a concert on public :) Very lovely and sweet, but have to say an entire highlight of this song for me is, when all the church join in and starts singing with the children. John THAT is something. It has such a strength... It sounds like a enormous gigantic wave of water, coming to flush away those few little angels singing so innocently in front of all church. But the wave doesn't flush them away, the wave sits them on her tip like a fluffy foam and carries them there till the end of the song. It has such a power! It is simply fantastic. And amazing thing is, how beautifully is the sound balanced. Few gentle voices against the whole church. It is great to hear it in the earphones. Do you know, who has that fantastic bass, i can hear in my left earphone during singing the completely last "it is well with my soul"? Great voice :) John truly lovely recording. Very sweet singing. Lovely.

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Wow, Pavlina, thank you so much. You are very generous with your comments.

This is a familiar song to most American Christians. So you will probably hear it again in the future.

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