Did you know this?

[simba928]

We had our annual holiday concert at school on Friday. All the choirs (we have like 3 different levels) and the band performs. The last song from the chorus was "Allelujah". So at the end of the song the chorus teacher got all angry and turned around and said "You know, its traditional for people to stand during the allelujah chorus." Then she turned back around, gathered up the music, cued for the chorus to leave the stage and said "Lets hope you all are a little more respectful for the band than you were to us." I looked around at all my friends and asked if anybody knew you were supposed to stand (thats what she was referring to when we were being disrespectful). Nobody knew that, which is why we didn't stand. A few people in the audience did know that, so they stood, but everyone else that was around us thought they were standing just for something to do, so some stood to be idiots and some just rolled their eyes at the people who were being idiots.

So my question is did you know that you were supposed to stand for the allelujah chorus? Is this just common knowledge that everybody knows and somehow I got left out of the loop on that one? I think that the chorus teacher should have said beforehand to stand and since she didn't, then she shouldn't have gotten mad at us. But she's always doing stuff like that so at this point we just let it go.

ETA: This is a public school. This teacher is always very snippy like that. She likes to intimidate people. There are a lot of people that I know that have been pressured by her into doing the musical that she runs every other year (she alternates with another teacher) or joining the higher level choir. She once yelled at a friend of mine for tying her shoes in the guard room, which is a little room that the color guard uses to store flags, spare uniforms, our guard bags, etc but has a bathroom that this teacher uses. So by this point most of my friends and a lot of the people in our school (except the ones that have her as a teacher because she is very petty and tends to hold things against people. You get graded more harshly if she doesn't get her way) just say "Yes, Ms X" and blow here off.

 

[cybrkitn]

Back in high school I was part of chorus and we had done that song as well. A lot of people stood and none of us knew why until we asked our teacher. He then explained it to us (of course almost 20 years later and I no longer remember the actual reason for it). Before that I didn't know people stood for it.

 

[Shutterbug]

From wikipedia:

The most famous movement is the "Hallelujah" chorus, which concludes the second of the three parts. The text is drawn from three passages in the New Testament book of Revelation:

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6)
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)
In many parts of the world, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for this section of the performance. Tradition has it that King George II rose to his feet at this point. As the first notes of the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus rang out, the king rose. Royal protocol has always demanded that whenever the monarch stands, so does everyone in the monarch's presence. Thus, the entire audience stood too, initiating a tradition that has lasted more than two centuries

I often thought you stood becaus of religous reasons. I guess thats why some people do it today but according to this that is not the reason it got started.

 

[chamonix]

If she wanted people to stand, she should have indicated that before the song, or written it in the program!

I assume since it's a religious song, some people will "know" to stand, and some won't. (It's never occurred to me, but then, I am not religious/christian) How kind of her to make such rude remarks to those not of her religion. Is this a public school where it would be reasonable to expect lots of audience members of different faiths (or none)?

No matter whether people should "know" or not, she was incredibly rude, and I would be very tempted to make sure her boss knew I thought it was disrespectful, shameful even, for her to make those remarks to the audience. (because, really, if nothing else, it was her lack of planning and forethought that caused it!)

 

[scheddj]

Don't you think the teacher could have said before they started "Please rise" like they do for the National Anthem at ballgames. I think it was really inappropriate for her to get into a snit.

 

[Disney Ella]

I never knew this and I agree that if everyone standing was so important to her, she should have said something at the beginning of the song. To make the comments she did to the audience was very rude.

 

[Stacerita]

Nope, didn't know that.

 

[disneymom3]

If she wanted people to stand, she should have indicated that before the song, or written it in the program!

I assume since it's a religious song, some people will "know" to stand, and some won't. (It's never occurred to me, but then, I am not religious/christian) How kind of her to make such rude remarks to those not of her religion. Is this a public school where it would be reasonable to expect lots of audience members of different faiths (or none)?

No matter whether people should "know" or not, she was incredibly rude, and I would be very tempted to make sure her boss knew I thought it was disrespectful, shameful even, for her to make those remarks to the audience. (because, really, if nothing else, it was her lack of planning and forethought that caused it!)

I totally agree with this post. Except I am Christian and I would have had no idea I was to stand. DH went to a college with a really prestigious choir which he was a part of and many years we go to their concert at Christmastime. They have done the Hallelujah chorus some years and I have not seen anyone standing in the entire auditorium.

I have no idea why the director didn't just tell people to stand up if she wanted them to.

 

[binny]

nope I'm a pastors kid, grew up singing that song and never knew that you were supposed to stand for the last chorus. I think we always do stand for the whole song though so maybe that is why?


I think the director was incredibly rude though!

 

[Keli]

I don't think very many young people would know to stand for the Hallelujah chorus and your teacher could have and should have handled the whole thing a little better.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

If you've been to the Candlelight Processional at Epcot during the Holiday Season, you'll see some immediately rise for the Hallelujah Chorus. Usually everyone follows suit, but I have overheard some very funny conversations about why it is being done.
She could have simply said "it is customary to rise for the next piece, if you would all join us." No need to talk down or get snippy with people at this time of year. Peace and Merry Christmas.

 

[Danauk]

I have sung the Messiah and seen the Messiah many times as I am a musician and I was always taught to strand for the Hallelujah Chorus. I can not recall a time when I have not seen the audience stand. The only exception to this would be if the Hallelujah Chorus was performed as a stand alone piece within a concert, then perhaps the audience would not stand. In saying that I am English and I knew the background of the tradition. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

ETA: The above post reminded me when we saw the candlelight processional a few years ago DH and I along with quite a few other people automatically stood for the Hallelujah Chorus, our other (English, non musician) friends who we were with stood up after we did. At the end though they did ask why we did that and I had to explain the tradition to them.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Always been taught that and have honestly never been somewhere where it was sung and people didn't stand for it.

Thought everyone knew?

I don't think I would have responded the way the teacher did, though. Would have been a great opportunity for her to teach why people stand for it and give direction to do so.

 

[disykat]

I knew it was traditional, but think the director was horribly rude! I just performed the Messiah and we were doing it in very traditional baroque style. I think our conductor would have preferred that no one stand, but they did anyway - no big deal.

 

[heart4pooh]

I was at the Candlelight Processional on the 21st. I stood when everyone else did. Thought it was out of respect and I was already so moved to tears it only seemed appropriate.

 

[goofyernmost]

What a pretentious crock!! Take a tradition from another time, that nobody knows about and get "angry?" because the, obvious no culture, audience wasn't aware. Give me a break.

That lady needs to be taken down a notch or two and have her smug little nose lowered. JMHO!.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Never heard of this tradition before. Now I'll be watching.

 

[winkers]

Yep, I knew. But only because I've been in several choirs and sung the Messiah. I didn't know the tradition behind it tho. I always felt like it was a natural way of showing appreciation or reverance. when you've listened to the entire thing and it comes to that song, it can be very emotional.

By the way, just a little tidbit.....the hallelujah chorus is actually the easter part of the cantata.

 

[kaygela]

I'm a high school orchestra director and we perform the Hallelujah Chorus every year with our choir. We announce the tradition of standing to the audience in advance. I would never assume that everyone knows of this tradition. That teacher was rude and inappropriate and should be reprimanded by the administration in her building and district. That kind of rudeness should not be tolerated.

 

[christineann]

It is my understanding that the king was overwhelmed by the music and stood up, and the tradition began at that time.

The entire "Messiah" is very, very beautiful - other parts are equally as moving, IMHO. I listen to it in morning traffic - very soothing