The actual “awakening” part in the song is not appreciated enough. It truly embodies the essence of acceptance and moving forward.

I got to participate in this 300 person choir. One of the most memorable musical experiences I have ever had. So powerful.

We're singing this song at my high school and our director is inviting 12 years worth of alumni to make a point to not cut the choir at our school. Thankfully I'm a senior but I couldn't imagine my life without choir. Being to all the festivals, and the fact that I've been in chorus for 8 years of my life makes this song even more impactful.

The story behind Joe Martin writting this will bring tears to your eyes too. He wrote it in honor of his music teacher who was murdered the day before a school concert. Joe was the HS accompanist. He went home after rehersal, the next morning, his father came into his room in tears and told him what had happened. Thus the line, "No Hallelujah, Not one hosanna, no song of love, no lullaby".. The Awake part is to remember to let music LIVE no matter what!! There wasn't a dry eye after that.

This is my favorite choral piece I have ever sang. After performing it I was emotionally drained and it took me on a roller coaster while singing it. It brought so much expression out of me and I felt as if I was really telling the story the composer was trying to convey. The meaning behind this song is so heartfelt and powerful, I wish more people knew about it.

The meaning behind this song, as Joseph Martin himself told us, is the experience he had with his junior high school music teacher dying after resurrecting music at that school. Such a beautiful song, loved every moment of performing it with Joseph Martin himself.

literally the greatest moment in the history of all music....i burst into tears singing that part. Just hit so damn hard

I dreamed a dream, a silent dream of a land not far away where no bird sang, no steeples rang, and teardrops fell like rain. I dreamed a dream; a silent dream. I dreamed a dream of a land so filled with pride that every song, both weak and strong, withered and died. I dreamed a dream No hallelujah; not one hosanna! No song of love, no lullaby. And no choir sang to change the world. No pipers played, no dancers twirled. I dreamed a dream; a silent dream. Awake, awake! Soli deo gloria! Awake, Awake! Awake my soul and sing, the time for praise has come. The silence of the night has passed, a new day has begun! Let music never die in me; forever let my spirit sing! Wherever emptiness is found let there be joy and glorious sound. Let music never die in me; forever let my spirit sing! Let all our voices join as one to praise the giver of the sun! Awake, awake! Let music live!

My choir sang this in high school. Even with just a piano accompanying us, it was still, by far, the best song we ever performed and my favorite song we ever sang. It still moves me to this day, and I always come back to this video when I want to hear the song again because it’s my favorite performance of the song. I wish we could have had a full orchestral backing!

I have sang in every choir from church to national level, and this is by far the best piece to ever leave my lips. A must sing for all those with a passion for the vocal arts. Video cannot begin to do it justice, but this comes close.

This song will always be my most favorite one I've sang in high school 😭

I would have done absolutely anything to have been there for this performance. This video, and this song, gives me chills and makes me cry every single time. This is beautiful.

Wow, when I sang this song with my high school choir, I got shivers every time we practiced. And of course when we performed it, I had to fight back my tears ^.^ But now I can't even imagine singing it with an orchestra. I'd be a sobbing mess. Truly special, so original and imaginative.

I still get the shakes at no alleluias oh my gosh it is such great music

My mom doesn't like me singing so I didn't get to join a choir in college (even though I had auditioned and got myself a music scholarship), so when our 3 highschool merged choir sang this with a really amazing guest conductor I had to fight off tears. It was my swan sang for choral singing, reflecting my sentiments towards music. She can never take it away from me even if I have to submit stuff to KZfaq in secret. Let music never die in me.

I remember seeing this in competition in 2000, and that exact moment, "No Hallelujah" immediately brought tears to my eyes. Have never forgotten how that moment made me feel.

This was one of my very good friend's favorite songs. She died in a car accident the summer before our senior year. We sang this in her honor. You did an exquisite job with this song. It reminds me of what a beautiful soul she had. Thank you for executing this song with feeling and doing it so well

One of the most beautiful & soul shaking pieces of sound ever written in my opinion. 💖

This is a song that every advanced choir should have the chance to perform. It's quite beautiful and moving to be a part of it.

Absolutely cannot wait to perform this with my choir. Too bad we don't have an orchestra to accompany us, just a piano! But this never fails to bring me to tears, thanks for uploading this!!

I was apart of this choir!!! We rocked this concert and it was an opportunity of a lifetime! I wish I could be there with all these wonderful people again!!

I had the privilege of singing this with the 2016 All-State Men's Choir. Gorgeous. Chills every time

We sang this for state festival in highschool, graduated 2018. My choir director passed away in October. At her memorial, old and new choir students of hers throughout the years were invited to sing this song in her memory, which was one of the heaviest but uniting feelings. She made such a difference in so many kids lives, she was so loved. Rest in peace, Cate 🙏🏻

I WAS IN THIS VIDEO!

Every year at my High School we sing a mass choirs the night the seniors leave at the final concert. Last year my freshman year we sang this and it was so beautifull 250 + people singing it every single one being like family to me. And singing this song and watching the seniors go was so hard but an experience I will never forget. This was done beautifully bravo!!!!!

when the applause is over a minute long

14 years later, this song still takes me on the same cathartic roller coaster as the day I first learned it, maybe even increasing potency over the years. I still cry at "no hallelujah..." and shed tears of joy at "let music live!" every time. Absolutely phenomenal music and performance.

I recently had the opportunity to sing this song for the first time in over 10 years with my fraternity brothers in a men's choir at our national convention! After everything that has happened over the past few years and after personally not singing during that time, this song really hits hard. It's one of my all time favorites! Hail Sinfonia!

Singing this in A Cappella and it's everyone's favorite. Gives me chills every time.

I just listened to this for the first time in too many years. I'd forgotten just how much I love this song!!

this is the reason i get up every day and do what i do. AMAZING. lol( i was even there! sitting next to the camera guy!you can hear me say that this was the best concert of my life)

A world with out Music is my personal HELL. I simply could not live without music. Whether classical, jazz, blues, rock, or what have you. Without music in life, it's not living.

2:54 gives me chills every time! we sang this song at my school last year...hearing ourselves gave us chills up and down our spines.

I had to sing this my freshman year in high school. This is absolutely remarkable

I actually played this Sophomore year in highschool in my orchestra class. :D Memories!

I sang this in high school choir. This is my favorite choir song of all time. Just love it

Every year all the choirs at my school sing this and everyone ends up crying

I'm an eighth grader and every year, the eighth grade choir students from all the middle schools in the district and the high school choir students sing a song together at the whole district concert and we're singing this. It's the only song I've ever liked, and it's so beautiful. It gives me chills every single time I sing it.

I remember singing this in NJ All State Choir 2006 and when we finally got to rehearse it with the orchestra we all started crying. So moving and one of my favorite choral pieces

Performed this in high school in Texas, and after 10 years I still know every word and note- one of the most amazing choral pieces ever and a phenomenal performance by the vocalists and instrumentalists! Great job guys!

My choir sang this song in one of the biggest churches in New York City, Riverside church. The judge was moved to tears on how good a group of high school students performed it.

we're singing this for a concert in high school, hard not to cry lmao

My school has one concert a year where the orchestras, band, and choirs all combine to play together. This is one of the songs we are playing and I can only hope we have half this much power in our sound. Truly amazing.

BRAVO BRAVO!!! ENCORE!! I sang this song 10 years ago and i think it's THE best song ever written!! It's especially beautiful with full orchestra. I've never heard it with orchestra before!! amazing!!! Awake, awake my soul and sing! The time for praise has come!

There is something about this song, I can't say what excatly but...it rings true in my heart ever since i sang it in A'capella in high school. I just wish i had the copy from my school to listen to as well. with the full orchestra it blew my mind away. Let music NEVER die in my heart and soul, i don't know what i'd do without it.

The quality on this isn't great, but I've yet to find a recording that has more power at 2:55 than this one does.

I was in this group on the front row right behind the pianist. I enjoyed this experience so much. SWACDA 2008 in Kansas City and it was snowing!

Wow... this is such a stunning rendition of The Awakening! I fell in love with this song when I sang it in high school, and this is by far my favorite version that I've found online thus far. Gave me so many chills; this blew me away!

My choir director who met the composer of this song sang this in a 350 person all men's choir and now he's having our 20 person choir sing it for our spring concert. When I heard the back story to this song, listening to it made the emotion feel much stronger and I hope we can pull it off. We have a good bass line but only two really loud tenors including me. Of course it will not have the same effect as a small highschool choir but I hope it will still make a statement. I'm really excited to try it though.

"Let Music Never Die in Me, Forever Let My Spirit Sing!" That line is going to be the basis for my tattoo.

We're singing this in our choir in my high school. It's really hard to sing, but it's the most beautiful piece I've ever sang.

Dr. Eph Ehly! That man is insane! In a good way! I got to sing under him once back in college, and he was electrifying. Gorgeous performance of a gorgeous song. The orchestra's a great touch.

This performance made me cry. Completely fantastic. We sang this my junior year in high school in an attempt to prevent our music program from being cut. Unfortunately this year, two years later they decided to cut yet another music teacher from our district. Save the arts in our schools!

i'm a tenor in the High School Concert Choir at Aurora Christian, and we did this song for the ACSI festival. it was amaizing. its my favorite song that we did. and we get to do it again for our spring concert. Awesome job! you guys sang and played great!

Favorite part while listening and preforming this: No hallelujah! Not one hosanna. No song of love...no lullaby. Chills every time. I love the chord progression there.

I remember doing this piece my senior year in high school and our only accompaniment was a piano. Makes quite a difference when its a full orchestra. Absolutely astounding. Let music live!

ABSOLUTELY ENCHANTING. I REMEMBER SINGING THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND IT IS JUST AS CAPTIVATING NOW AS IT WAS BACK THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love this song me and my choir are singing it in a week!!!

Wonderful! My daughters high school choir sang this for district contest and received all 1+'s from the judges. Brought tears to the the director when they sang and all the parents in attendance.

We sang this song for the 2010-2011 All District choir..... I cried during the performance. The words are so thought-inspiring. I love the beauty of the piece ♥

at 2:55 I got chills and I NEVER get chills. well done Lee's Summit. This was extraordinary. Thank you for your gift of powerful emotion (which is lacking today). Keep it up!!!

this gave me chills, i have a tear in my eye and a great urge to applaud :')

I remember the time i sang this with the New Jersey All-State. It was probably one of the most amazing musical moments of my life. I love this song, and this recording takes me back. Bravo!

I sang this in high school, and I loved what we did with it, but all we had was a piano to back us up. The orchestra definitely adds to the piece. The performance was wonderful! This song is just so beautiful.

I have to sing this song in 3 days for my choir concert. This is an amazing song and Im glad to sing it.

Yes! I found it. I sang this song in high song and I still remember it!

This is such a beautiful song. We sang it last year and I always watch recordings on KZfaq to help calm down :)

Sung this my Senior year at Ware Co. High. 2010. Love this song. Gave me chills just listening to it.

the awake awake round part best part of the song

Let music never die in me! Forever let my spirit sing! Wherever emptiness is found, Let there be joy and glorious sound Some of THE most powerful lyrics in all of choral music. (For me.) Beautifully done. I live these lyrics, and will be doing this song with my alumni choir this fall. Can't WAIT! :)

this brought tears to my eyes. i'm sophomore music major. hearing something like this, makes me understand why i love music. And, nothing can change that. Thank you for uploading this.

Dr. Ehly is so amazing. I'm watching this again 6 months after performing this in Carnegie Hall. Still that good.

Thanks for putting this up on KZfaq. It was nice to get a sneak peek before I get my DVD in the mail. I didn't know we sounded that good!

I don't get goosebumps when I hear this song - I cry. Profusely. Every time. One of my school's Choirs sang this at competition, and I've thought of this as the most beautiful song in the world since. It also symbolizes my turning point, when I realized how powerful music is and how much a part of me it is.

this is possibly the most beautiful and most amazing song ever. for those of us with a burning passion for music and a love of great compositions. it is songs like this that make one love music soo much

Beautiful. I love this song, and hearing it with an orchestra is a real treat. Brings back high school memories.

Before the piece even started, I was impressed. Just the sheer number of performers was amazing. Then the choir opened their mouths, and I was blown away.

I sang this song in 6th grade. This is my favorite song that I have ever done in choir and this choir was amazing. I really wish that I could go back and sing this song again.

I remember when my high school performanced this song. It was Chamber and Madrigal Choirs. It was stunning...they sounded so wonderful!! T.T From PCEP Choirs in Michigan.

At my school the plains men group that I'm in is singing this song and so far we are doing so well at singing it I give myself chills

"i think this is the best concert that i've seen...ever" lol good job guy at the end

I was in this choir! So amazing! I was on the front row right behind the pianist!

I can't believe it's been three years since my choir director introduced this video and this song to all of us going on the Colorado trip. We worked so hard on this song and blew each of our audiences away. And now my senior class is singing this one last time next month at graduation. This song has been with me since freshman year and it will always be with me.

We sang this song in my choir one day just to see if we all liked it. turns out were not going to sing it... but now it's stuck in my head and I'm obsessed with it.

I'm singing this in my Madrigals choir now. This arrangement was absolutely beautiful! I can't imagine what it would sound like in person let alone preforming with this amazing choir..

I got chills watching/listening to this. That never happens with youtube vids. Heck, that rarely happened when we performed this. I mean, I got chills the WHOLE time listening to this. I love it.

My choir sang this at the UIL competition today-we got straight 1s!! Sweepstakes all the way!!!

i remember doing this song in 8th grade. was the last song with my choir director. will always be my favorite song of all time. its just beautiful and amazing.

Everytime I hear this song, I tear up, because I sang this song in my chorale choir for two years and I love it. It reminds me so much of all the fun I had in my high school choir and how much I enjoyed it. Let Music NEVER Die in Me

I heard this song performed my a SATB choir with piano accompaniment... and I was absolutely blown away to hear this orchestra and choir version... Amazing work.

The last time I sang this was with the Covington Conyers Choral Guild back in the 90's. It's 2017 and it still brings tears whenever I listen or sing along.

I sang this with a 250 piece choir just yesterday! The T1 part (which I sing) makes me very emotional

I performed this song in choir back in high school, haven't heard it since, and the no hallelujah not one hosannah part still brings tears to the corners of my eyes and a shiver down my spine. twice as much with the orchestra. beautiful, simply beautiful.

I sang this in choir years and years ago and this brought back beautiful memories for me.

We had artists painting musical designs, dancers choreographed to the song dancing, and our best ensembles preforming the song, AND had all the other fine art students piled in, all wearing a shirt saying "strong arts builds strong schools" in front of all the board of education of georgia to convince them to keep the fine arts in our schools. there wasn't a dry eye to be seen. I still get chills every time I even remember this song, and I've sung it on 3 different occasions.

Revisiting this song years later, because my high school chorus teacher just unexpectedly passed away last month. My school did this song 2 years ago and brought me to tears every time. Music will always live in me because of my amazing teacher. RIP Mr.Boyer.

Absolutely amazing!!! My favorite piece I have ever preformed. I would have loved to been in the crowd!

Thank you for posting this. I was in this choir and have been looking for a good recording of this performance.

How can you not get chills when you sing this song???? I do every time I hear it and sing it!!! You're probably one of those sopranos who thinks its difficult singing melody.

I sang this back in 2007 it still gives me goose bumps when I hear it