THE 5 MOST JOYFUL HYMNS EVER WRITTEN - Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate - Joe Carere (organ)

🎵 Top 5 Happiest Hymns Ever Written — Ranked by an Organist | Music at the Basilica What makes a hymn truly joyful? In this video, Joe Carere, Basilica Organist & Choirmaster, ranks the Top 5 happiest traditional hymns ever written — not just based on popularity, but on what actually works in real churches, with real congregations, at the organ. Filmed at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, this episode explores the hymns that consistently bring energy, confidence, and unmistakable joy to worship — and why some hymns soar while others fall flat. 🎼 Featured Hymns Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Praise to the Lord, the Almighty All Creatures of Our God and King Now Thank We All Our God Lift High the Cross Each hymn is examined through the lens of: ✔ Musical structure ✔ Congregational energy ✔ Organ registration and interpretation ✔ Real-world effectiveness in liturgy 🎹 About the Organ All demonstrations are performed on the Basilica’s historic 1919 Casavant Frères pipe organ, Opus 796 — one of Canada’s treasured instruments. Built by Casavant Frères, this symphonic organ offers a rich palette of tonal colour, from delicate solo voices to full, festival choruses — making it the perfect instrument to showcase hymn playing at its best. **SPECIFICATION BELOW** 🕍 About the Basilica The Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate is a landmark of Canadian sacred architecture, known for its soaring Gothic Revival design, radiant stained glass, and vibrant musical tradition. Its acoustics and visual grandeur provide an inspiring setting for organ music, hymnody, and choral repertoire at the highest level. 🎥 What You’ll Learn Why tempo can make or break a hymn How articulation changes the feeling of joy Which hymns consistently engage a congregation Practical insights for organists, choir directors, and church musicians 👍 If you found this helpful, leave a comment and tell us your favourite joyful hymn — and where you’re watching from! 📺 Subscribe for more organ performances, hymn insights, and sacred music content from Music at the Basilica. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future uploads. SPECIFICATION SWELL ​ 8 Vox Humana 8 Oboe 8 Cornopean 16 Contra Oboe III Dolce Cornet 2 Flautino 4 Gemshorn 4 Flauto Traverso 8 Aeoline 8 Voix Celeste 8 Viola da Gamba 8 Stopped Diapason 8 Open Diapason 16 Bourdon Tremulant ​ GREAT ​ 8 Tromba V Cornet III Mixture 2 Fifteenth 4 Harmonic Flute 4 Octave 8 Gemshorn 8 Hohlflute 8 Open Diapason I 8 Open Diapason II 16 Open Diapason Tremulant Chimes ​ CHOIR ​ 8 Tromba (GT) 8 French Horn 8 Clarinet 2 Piccolo 4 Flauto Dolce 8 Viole Celeste 8 Viole de Orchestra 8 Dulciana 8 Melodia 8 Violin Diapason Tremulant Chimes ​ PEDAL 32 Double Open 16 Open Diapason 16 Bourdon 16 Gedeckt 8 Cello 8 Stopped Diapason 8 Bass Flute 32 Contra Trombone 16 Trombone 8 Tromba (GT) Manual 61 notes Pedal 30 notes 250 levels of memory General Pistons 1-12 (duplicated on toe studs) Divisional Pistons 1-6 (Pedal duplicated on toe studs) Registration Sequencer toe studs LAST/NEXT Programable Crescendo ​ III/51 #hymns #OrganMusic #ChurchMusic #JoyfulJoyful #PipeOrgan #CasavantOrgan #SacredMusic #MusicAtTheBasilica #ChoirDirector #liturgicalmusic *BUSINESS INQUIRIES* [email protected]