"Songs of Praise" Preview

UPDATE: March 29, 2012

The BBC "Songs of Praise" web site now shows that Libera WILL be singing "How Shall I Sing That Majesty!" Woo-hoo! Have heard it live many times, and we have the video from Moody Church in Chicago, but now it's a "proper" official video! :D

March 25, 2012

Libera will be featured on next Sunday's "Songs of Praise" TV show in the UK. Today's show aired a preview of their song for next week. Thank you to Fan de LoK for the screen capture above.

This picture shows Eoghan and possibly Stefan as the featured singers. This is the same formation as the promo for the December 4, 2011 "Songs of Praise" where they sang "Still, Still, Still." But in "Still, Still, Still" they were in a totally different formation. 

So we know this video was filmed at All Saints Church, Cheltenham and that there will probably be the same 23 boys in it as "Still, Still, Still" had. But what song is it? Maybe "How Shall I Sing That Majesty?"

Singapore Interview with Kavana & Barney

Well, our go-to interview boys are at it again! This time it's an e-mail interview by Flora Yeo with Kavana and Barney. You can read it here. In case it gets deleted, I'll post it here also. Thanks to Jimmy Riddle for the link! :)

It's such a cute interview! You have to love these two. You can tell they really like singing and just being a part of Libera. Best part of this? Finding out that Barney was Little John in his school's production of "Robin Hood"! Priceless! :D The other thing that I thought was interesting was that they take homework breaks sometimes during rehearsals. Probably a good idea! :) Kavana says there at the end, "But of course, the concerts first (which of course you should come to!)." And Barney reveals that there will be new miniboys going on tour for the first time! Can't wait to see them! =D

Always wanted to know how these boys juggled professional singing and school? Or how about the one singer they would like to work with? in2it.sg did an exclusive email interview with 2 of the boys who will be down with their choir for a 2-day concert here in Singapore next week! If you have not gotten your tickets, how about winning a pair of tickets (worth $156) right here at in2it.sg? Contest details here.

Hello! Can you do a short introduction of yourself and your group?

Kavana: Hi there! My names Kavana, aged 13, and I'm a part of Libera. Libera is a boys choir with an age range of 7-16, based in South London. We sing our own songs, like ‘Sanctus’ and also put our own harmonies into songs, like 'Orinoco Flow'. We get together about 4 times a week to rehearse, and we tour around the world, which is awesome!

Barney: My names Barney and I'm 11 years old. I would describe Libera as a unique group because we're all very young, but when we do our concerts, you wouldn't think we're just a bunch of boys from South London!

Will this be your first time here in Singapore? What are you hoping to see or any delicacies you want to try?

Kavana: This is our first time in Singapore, and for some of the little ones it will be their first time away with us, so we're all excited. We don't know much about Singapore, but from what we have heard the food is great! We also interested to taste some Hawker food as well.

Barney: This will be my first time in Singapore so I'm really excited; I love noodles and spicy foods and I’m looking forward to tasting the real thing!

What are your training sessions like?

Kavana: Our rehearsals are very fun. Even though some of them can be long, we all enjoy it. It's particularly good because of course we're with friends, so it's also a time to meet up with them.

Barney: Rehearsals are hard work but they're definitely worth it. When we arrive at a rehearsal, we're all a bit rusty after a long day at school so we get to do lots of fun warm ups.

At such a young age, you boys have displayed such amazing talents! How did you discover your passion for singing?

Kavana: Thank you! Even at a young age, we still all knew what we liked and didn't. I guess the passion for singing just comes naturally, if you like, as well as the passion for music.

Barney: I first discovered that I could sing when I was 8. I had to sing at my school play because I was Little John from Robin Hood. All of my friends said I had a talent and my parents took me out for a special dinner!

Who is the one singer that you would like to work with?

Kavana: Over the years as a group, we have sung with many fantastic singers, like Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins and even Pavarotti. I'm not sure really, as we all have our different opinions. Of course, we love singing and meeting new people as well.

Barney: If I could sing with any singer then I would definitely choose Adele because I really like the richness if her voice and I'm always singing along to ' Someone Like You'!

Juggling both school life and singing professionally is pretty tough. How do you boys manage it?

Kavana: Surprisingly, it's very manageable. In rehearsals sometimes we have homework sessions and things like that. Occasionally we have to take a day off to catch a flight somewhere, but that's about it. At school, all our friends are supportive of it as well, which is a great help.

Barney: It can sometimes be hard to get all my homework done in time for rehearsals but apart from that, it's usually fine.

What can we expect in the future for Libera?

Kavana: That's a tough one. Another album maybe, some television appearances. But of course, the concerts first (which of course you should come to!).

Barney: I think that the future of Libera is always changing – a little bit at a time, as new 7 year olds join, and older ones start to sing with their new lower voices. This means that this week we have lots of ‘miniboys’ – as we call our new boys - who've never been on tour or sang on stage before. Obviously they will adapt and become extremely good singers thanks to our excellent coaching. But for now they'll have to work really hard to learn masses of music, and where to stand, and which harmony part to sing.

New CD on Japanese Charts

Congratulations, Libera! The Billboard Japan charts released yesterday show that Libera's newly released album "Angel Voices 2012" Japan Commemorative Edition entered the Classical charts at the #5 spot! Hopefully it will climb the charts as the concert gets closer! Thanks to Fan de LoK for the link and picture! :D

Singapore Special

For the Libera concert in Singapore, the Libera (Singapore) Facebook page has listed a special offer!

Any person who sells 10 tickets gets to choose to receive one of the following -

(a) a photograph set autographed BY Libera
(b) a photography opportunity WITH Libera, or
(c) a FREE ticket to the concerts!

For the person who sells the highest number of tickets, he or she will get the opportunity to get "up close and personal" with Libera!
This is for ticket purchases between March 21 and April 4. The details can be seen on the flyer.

This is awesome! I know I would choose "b!" :) Would love to see who wins the "up close and personal" time! What would that be like? XD Invite your family and friends and spread the word!

Libera on Palm Sunday "Songs of Praise"

Libera will be featured on BBC One's "Songs of Praise" TV show on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 4:45 p.m. The BBC web site says, "Sally Magnusson presents traditional hymns from All Saints Church, Pittville, Cheltenham, with performances by Only Men Aloud, Mary-Jess and Libera. The story of Jesus' last week is told with Bible readings by Julian Rhind-Tutt."

I'm really hoping this is a newly recorded song! :D Thank you to Jimmy Riddle for the link! We're counting on someone in the UK to record it for us! ;)

My "Angel Voices 2012" Japan Commemorative Album

Libera's "Angel Voices 2012" Japan Commemorative Album was released in Japan last Wednesday, March 14. Well, the next day at 9 am a delivery came to our house. We weren't home, so my mom signed a sticker left on the window, and we got it the next day. It was the CD! I can't believe how fast things get delivered from Japan! :D

So here's the details. We already knew the song list and are guessing that it will also be the song list for the Singapore and Tokyo concerts. The songs all seem to be about hope and healing and recovery, like they're meant to be a gift to Japan after last year's earthquake and tsunami. It's very nice.

I'm also guessing that the CD's will be for sale, at least at the Tokyo concerts. Perfect for getting signed at a Meet & Greet! :D

I love the blue!!! :D

The songs were all previously released on other CD's. But a lot of people go to a Libera concert, and, especially after hearing Libera, want to take a CD home to remember them. Most new fans won't notice if the soloists are different. But you and I will! So it'll be fun to see who ends up getting the solos at the concerts!

1.   Jubilate Deo - solo: Jakob De Menezes-Wood
2.   Libera - solo: Liam Connery
3.   Song of Life - solo: Ralph Skan
4.   Sanctissima - solo: Benedict Philipp
5.   Sanctus - solos: Tom Cully, Ed Day, Sam Leggett
6.   I Vow To Thee My Country - solo: Ed Day, Josh Madine
7.   Eternal Light - solo: Stefan Leadbeater, Ralph Skan (it says James Threadgill, but that's wrong)
8.   Salva Me - solo: Joe Snelling
9.   Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep - solo: Tom Cully
10. Exsultate - solo: Benedict Philipp
11. Orinoco Flow
12. Gloria
13. The Fountain - (it isn't printed, but solo: Ralph Skan)
14. Stay With Me - solo: Ed Day
15. Ave Verum
16. Far Away - solo: Tom Cully
17. How Shall I Sing That Majesty? - solo: Stefan Leadbeater


The main booklet inside has a message from Robert Prizeman, the song list, and the lyrics to each song in English and Japanese.

From the earliest days, Japan has supported Libera. Over

many years the warmth and enthusiasm of our Japanese

followers has given us encouragement and inspiration. So

our dream to take the sounds of the boys' voices to a wider

audience has been realised across the world thanks, in so

many ways, to the special relationship between Libera and

Japan. Thank you!        ~Robert Prizeman

The booklet has pictures of the boys talking, which we've seen before, but I don't remember this one!

Rare black robes!

Also folded up inside the jewel case is a big poster that's about 18" x 23" or 46.5 x 58 cm with messages from the boys.

18 boys and 3 of the older guys who work for Libera now (Steven Geraghty, Sam Coates and Ben Crawley) wrote messages that are translated into Japanese. I like that it's in each boy's own handwriting! Here's what they wrote. Daniel's and Liam's are so funny!!! :D

I'm really excited about going to Japan because I can't wait to

meet all the fans! I really love the Japanese noodles but I'm

not sure about the sushi yet!   ~Jude Collins

Japan is epic! I have only been once but it was probably the best

place I've ever been to all my life and I love sushi.  ~Luke Collins

Going on the bullet train was exciting because it took so little to

travel so far. Also, the view that you could get from it was incredible.

Mount Fuji is an extrememly beautiful natural landmark.  ~Ralph Skan

Performing in Japan is a real honour, and it has been an important

part of my life. The people always welcome us and we can't wait

to come back. But the biggest surprise about Japan is the toilets...

who knew they had such personalities.  ~Daniel

I have many fond memories of my time in Japan - a personal

favourite would be the night we went to the Ninja bar. We ate

traditional Japanese food and socialised with some ninjas!  ~Liam

I was really looking forward to going to Japan for the first time,

because I was keen to go on the bullet train. Now I have done it

and I have learnt to love Japan.  ~Alex

 

Japan is a special place because they invented origami. And now

I am an origami addict!! I can't wait to go back.  ~Cassius

I'm really excited about going to Japan as I have been

learning Japanese at school so it would be fun to be

the official translator for the tour!  ~Barney

This will be my first time in Japan and I'm really looking forward

to it. I've heard lots about Japan from the other Libera boys.  ~Dylan

Looking down the glass at the top of Tokyo Tower was an

amazing experience and one of the highlights of my trip

because I could see the whole of Japan.  ~Stefan

I am one of the lucky ones to have been on the very first tour to

Japan and I will always remember how excited we all were.

Every visit since has never lost that buzz!  ~Steven (Hamm)

There's not a single time that I have returned to Japan when I haven't

been astounded by the overwhelming warmth kindness and generocity

 of the Japanese people. Thanks for welcoming us back again!  ~Sam

The first time we went to Japan there was blossom on the trees

and it was beautiful. When we returned to Japan a year later

we sang a song called "Sakura."  ~Ben

Singing in a new country is always exciting. Only one country's

beauty and wonder has ever exceeded my imaginative speculations.

That place is Japan.  ~Sammy M.

My first tour was in 2008 and no place better to begin was Japan.

Japan was a new world to me, the new food and technology

dazzled my brain. You're amazing!  ~Carlos

Sumo wrestlers are cool, and I am really looking forward to

Japan!!! I've heard loads about Japan from the other boys.  ~Eoghan

I'm looking forward to returning to Japan. I have such lovely

memories such as the Tokyo Tower and meeting all the fans!

Such lovely food too!  ~Kav

I am looking forward to going to Japan because I like the culture

and I want to try some sushi if I ever get the chance!  ~Isaac

Japan is a wonderful place and I can't wait to visit again! Last time

I saw Ponyo and I want to get some Ponyo toys!  ~Matthew R.A.

I always look forward to going to Japan because of how polite

everyone is, this is very different to how people are in London!  ~JB

I have heard lots of exciting things about Japan but still don't know

what to expect! But it is certain to be a great time.  ~Matthew J

And now we know why they sat the way they did for this picture! No one wants the CD holder circle thingy on their face! :D

Vote for Libera

The Great Exhibition 2012 is an online site to promote what's great about Britain. Libera is nominated in the Music & Entertainment category. You can register and vote for Libera here. Click "Sign In to Vote" and then click "Not a member yet? sign up here."

They're currently in 86th place with 93 votes. They need at least 100 votes to be in the "Best in Britain 2012" competition, so please vote and spread the word!

Arundel Concert Announced!

UPDATE: March 19, 2012

***The £25. premium tickets are already sold out! Don't wait to order your general tickets!***

Libera just announced another new concert - Arundel Cathedral on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 7:45 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. It's been 2 years since they've been there! This is a beautiful cathedral they often feature in their videos.

Tickets are £10. - £25. and go on sale on Monday, March 19 at 4:00 p.m. You can order tickets on Ticketweb or call 08444 771 000.

New Loose Moose YouTube Channel

Loose Moose posted the strangest little video today. It's a monster hand showing pieces of paper that basically say they have a NEW YouTube channel called LooseMooseOfficial. You can see it here. So please follow their new channel. It still has all their old videos on it. And remember, their newest video is due in the Spring, which is any day now! :)