–By Brandon Franz Biebl, who wrote Ave Maria, served as a choir director and assistant professor of choral music in Germany and Austria, punctuated by World War II, when Biebl was drafted into the military in 1943 and served as … Read More
–By Brandon “Don’t Stop”… no, not that one. Not that one either. This post is about the Fleetwood Mac song. You know, that really happy-sounding song about divorce. Wait, what? “Don’t Stop” was written by singer Christine McVie about moving … Read More
–By Brandon Kansas’s most famous song, “Dust in the Wind,” is not reminiscent of their typical style or other famous hits (e.g., “Carry on Wayward Son,” “Point of Know Return”). The guitar line for the song was originally written by … Read More
–By Brandon Steve Young originally wrote and performed “Seven Bridges Road,” a song that became famous when the Eagles recorded it in 1980. The song was inspired by a trip to Montgomery, Alabama, in which a group of Young’s friends … Read More
–By Brandon “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” depicts the optimism, disillusionment, and pragmatism of the 1960s. The song was recorded in London in 1968 and featured the London Bach Choir on the song’s opening. The choir, which tried … Read More
–By Brandon “True Colors” was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who also wrote Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Heart’s “Alone.” Steinberg originally wrote the song about his mother, although with a much different first verse than currently exists … Read More
–By Brandon “Under Pressure” arose from a jam session between Queen and David Bowie in Switzerland in 1981. This is one potential explanation for the improvisational opening of the song (arguably seeming more improvisational when a choir is singing all … Read More
–By Brandon As Choir of the Sound gets ready to rock out for spring quarter, our first Friday Factoid offers a transition from our winter gospel and spirituals concert to U2’s “Pride (In the Name of Love).” The song, which … Read More
—By Cindy Jacobs Jestie Joseph Hairston (nicknamed “Jester” by a teacher) was born in 1901, the grandson of slaves from the Hairston plantation at Belew’s Creek, North Carolina. He attended Massachusetts Agricultural College, graduated cum laude from Tufts University with … Read More
–By Brandon Ray The spiritual “Go Down, Moses” is based on the story from Exodus, wherein God commanded Moses to journey to Egypt and demand that Pharoah release the Israelites from captivity. In a less Biblical context, the Israelites represent … Read More