MTC Week #135 - Europe Tour, Part 2

As mentioned last week, I wanted to devote this post to pictures I took in Europe and some concluding thoughts about the tour. So without further ado, here are some pictures to help you get a visual of things I saw and experienced. (Click on each for a larger version). And I just want to express, again, how grateful I was for the opportunity to go and share the light of Christ, through music, with so many people in Europe.

Getting off the plane during a layover in Amsterdam

Our hotel at our first stop, Berlin

The Brandenberg Gate in Berlin

Reichstag building in Berlin--historic government building

A uniquely designed holocaust memorial

A fun souvenir shop and a currywurst shop (Berlin)

One view of the Berlin Wall - the wall and below it

People just chillin' in the evening hours by the river (Berlin)

Another view of the Wall

A giant modern spire on top of the Reichstag (Berlin)

Our first performance at the Berlin Philharmonie

Inside the Philharmonie starting a sound check

Another view of the Philharmonie

Before our concert. Siope, Dennis (my great roommate), and me

Going to the restroom costs money!

 

One of the MANY outdoor restaurants/cafes (Munich)

A plate someone ELSE ordered. Ick!

A friend, Ryan Withers

Our second concert, at the Meistersingerhalle (Munich)

Dennis, Ben, and I enjoying the very yummy Magnum bar

Outside a Nazi indoctrinization building (Nuremberg)

A church member's unique bike (look close)!

Exit of a parking lot--trying to get one of those perspective shots

Site of a Nazi base camp. This shows THEN...

...and this shows TODAY (Nuremberg)

Another view of the Meistersingerhalle

Dennis and I took a run through an old cemetery (Munich)

The famed Glockenspiel on the Marienplaz (Munich)

Not sure you'd see a row of these sold in the US :)

A view of the Marienplatz (central shopping area)

Some guys dressing up in traditional clothing

The Graggenauer Viertel (mansion for the once elite royalty)

 

Beautiful gardens within Vienna

Votive Church seen from the center of Freud Park (Austria)

Hmmm, what's that poster in the background?

Where we ate dinner in Vienna. Yes, we were spoiled

The Musikverein - famous concert hall we performed at in Vienna

Some musicians in a restaurant (Munich)

Good friend Ryan Bateman and I having dinner (Munich)

Site of the Munich Olympic park

Olympic swimming venue

Some locals we met at the concert in Vienna

Gorgeous lake near Nueschwanstein Castle (outside Munich)

Valley near Nueschwanstein Castle

Nueschwanstein Castle

Nueschwanstein Castle in the background

Another valley near the castle. Pretty country!

Where we performed our 3rd concert - the Hallenstadion (Zurich)

Outside the Hallenstadion in Zurich

A side street in Zurich

Another view within the Hallenstadion (famous hockey arena)

A Hallenstadion employee helping with the concert

We found the filming site of one of the scenes from Willy Wonka! (in Munich)

Our concert venue in Frankfurt - the Jahrhunderthalle

Inside the Jahrhunderthalle

Closer view of the Jahrhunderthalle

Just returned from seeing off-the-beaten-path areas next to this hall

Click to zoom in and see who's performed at this famous hall

A photo before the concert at the Jahrhunderthalle

The Heildelberg Castle in the distance (outside Frankfurt)

Part of the Heildelberg Castle

A view of Heidelberg from the top of the castle

Our tour guide for the castle. A very sweet lady.

Dennis and I had fun almost being devoured at the German Film Museum (Frankfurt)

Our performance hall in Brussels

Our performance hall in Brussels

A poster in the lobby of the hall

The Grand Palace (I think) in the main square in Brussels

Had to try a Belgian waffle in Belgium! Yummm

Some canal boats in Amsterdam

A canal in Amsterdam

Locating one of the oldest homes in Amsterdam

Ah! A yummy crepe dinner.

Had to try McDonalds to see how it compared to back home

One of the oldest windmills near Amsterdam

The "Oude Kerk" or "Old Church" - founded in the year 1213!

Some stained glass in the Old Church

Outside the performance hall in Rotterdam

The De Doelen where we performed. The acoustics were incredible.

In some main city plaza in Rotterdam. Not quite sure about the baby structure.

Our sound check at the De Doelen.

Lining up to go on stage

Outside view of the De Doelen

Welcome to France!

A group of us having dinner at the Paris hotel

Notre-Dame Cathedral. Incredible.

Another view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral

One of several Eiffel Tower shots

This was taken after a group shot of the choir and orchestra

We did some filming for the Paris Temple open house, forthcoming

Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur

Sainte-Chapelle. Incredible stained glass detail.

Additional links of interest about tour:

Eiffel Tower history

Choir and Orchestra Wrap Up 2016 European Tour

Happy Fourth of July from the Choir and Orchestra in Europe!

European Concert VIP Receptions: Building Friendships

The Choir and Orchestra Perform in Berlin, Germany for the First Time in 25 years!

Mormon Tabernacle Choir's summer tour wows Europe

German audiences give raucous applause to choir, orchestra 

Choir, orchestra finish second week of tour with Frankfurt performance

Performers, audiences have found warm connections during choir

Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Berlin

 

MTC Week #134 - King's Singers & Tour Thoughts

The challenge before me in writing this blog post is that I have so much to say! But I think I'll divide all of my thoughts into two segments so as to not be overwhelmed and to not make this too long.

I'll start with the here and now and then go back in time.

This weekend we had the privilege of singing with the internationally acclaimed King's Singers as we presented our Pioneer Day Concert and our Music and the Spoken Word program this morning. A little bit about them:  The King's Singers were founded in 1968, named after the King's College in Cambridge, England. Since that time, singers from this ensemble have come and go. But today, the group is comprised of the following:
 
David Hurley (countertenor 1) – (since 1990)
Tim Wayne-Wright (countertenor 2) – (2009)
Julian Gregory (tenor) – (2014)
Chris Bruerton (baritone 1) – (2012)
Chris Gabbitas (baritone 2) – (2004)
Jonathan Howard (bass) – (2010)

We thoroughly enjoyed hearing them sing this weekend. For me, the highlight was hearing them sing a collection of primary songs arranged by Ryan Murphy. Truly delightful with tight harmonies and honest emotions! The older I grow, the more I come to appreciate these simple primary songs that remind me of my cherished beliefs and the things that matter the most.

As I observed David, Tim, Julian, Chris, Chris, and Jonathan during rehearsals and performances, I could tell by their mannerisms, facial expressions, and actions, that they were all quite different from one another. AND YET, they work together, seamlessly, as one. As they rely on, and count on, one another, their differences work for them and truly magical music is produced. 

Something to think about perhaps, in this world of increasing intolerance.

One last note on the concert. Several of the songs we sang made me think about our pioneer forefathers. And I just want to express my gratitude to them for all of their countless sacrifices and for pushing through the persecution and hardships with a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and a Heavenly Father who's love they felt and relied upon.

As for our European tour!

We were asked by the Church security team not to make any social media posts while we were actually ON tour. I'm sure you can think about reasons why that was a good idea, though it was difficult not to share experiences and thoughts real-time. That said, tour was amazing and I firmly believe the Choir and Orchestra were successful in accomplishing their overall goal: to help others of all faiths and backgrounds feel inspired, feel God's love, feel better, and feel happier. And for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who attended the concerts, to let them know they are certainly not forgotten--that the members of the Choir and Orchestra representing the Church came to them because we love them and are grateful for all they do. 

At the end of the day, that's what was most important. The sites were amazing, the halls we performed in were grand, and I plan to share some of those things next week. But overall, I'm just very thankful to have been a part of sharing light and peace through music to the people of Europe.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #130 - Pre-tour Concert & Europe Prep

Tomorrow we leave for Europe!

This week was all about preparing for that (both personally, and as a choir), along with presenting a pre-tour concert to the public on Thursday evening. At that concert, we went through the entire tour program and I think it went really well (judging by the audience's reaction and the thumbs up given to us by the conductors). Sure, there are a couple of songs in which the lyrics aren't quite as solidified as I'd like them to be. But I'm getting close and overall, I'm really excited to present these songs to those over in Europe. 

I'm not sure what else to say for this entry today. I'm feeling anxious, excited, happy, in awe, and a bit sad, too. Leaving for three weeks is quite an undertaking. Professionally, my managers and executives have been very supportive. However, even though I have some good backups in place to keep the work I normally do, moving along, I already dread how many emails and tasks will be waiting for me when I return. Personally, I'm going to miss my wife and kids very much. The first few days usually aren't too bad. But after that, I start to realize just how much I love them and how much my life IS them. So I'm sure there will be some hard moments ahead. However, I'm choosing faith over fear. Faith that my family will be taken care of and faith that I'll be able to do what I need to do in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through the incredible gift of music.

Speaking of this blog, it will be strange, but I'm "going dark" as they say, for the next three weeks. Social media blackout. But I look forward to putting together a comprehensive blog entry when I return, detailing all of the European adventures I got to be a part of. If you're interested in how things are going for the Choir and Orchestra in the next few weeks, I'd suggest going to the official MoTab tour blog (or perhaps the tour page) where I'm sure they'll be posting some updates now and then. 

Until next time, God be with you!

MTC Week #129 - Being a Dad

The greatness of the task, the sacredness of the responsibility may make some fathers feel inadequate, but good fathers simply stand up, do their best, and say to their families, through their words and actions, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” (Spoken Word (excerpt), Lloyd Newell, June 19, 2016)

Today's broadcast was in honor of fathers and the vital role they play within families and in society. While I enjoyed singing today and being a part of the overall experience, there weren't any deep or overwhelming emotions that surfaced as I thought about fathers and being one myself. To be honest, I'm just really grateful to be one. It's one of the greatest joys in life to see my children progress and succeed. It's humbling to have other parents come up to me or my wife and go on for two or three minutes about how great my children are. Yes, it's hard, too, to see them go through challenges, to cry, to get upset at life being unfair, to see them struggle and occasionally to see them fail. But it's heartwarming to see them get back up, to not give up, and to move forward. 

Some nights as I pray to my Heavenly Father, I think back on the day and my interactions with my children. Did I give them enough encouragement? Did I compliment them on a job well done? Were they in need of some counsel and was I focused enough to give it to them? Was I engaged in conversation they were trying to have with me? Do they know they I love them? Sometimes the answers to these questions is "no," and I try to repent and do better. Other times the answers are yes and I couldn't be happier. 

I want to thank my own dad for all he's done for me. As I've mentioned before, we were quite a distance apart growing up. But while we had relationship struggles, I always respected him and knew that the example he set for me was one I should follow. So I'm grateful for that, and grateful for the countless sacrifices he made for me both years ago, and still today.

We sang a song today called "My Father's Faith" by Janice Kapp Perry. While I sometimes struggle with songs like this (mainly because there are many children, and even adults, who can't say they have/had the "ideal" father), it's certainly a nice song and the video footage they included HERE brings a smile. (Here's the performance from today, though the link never lasts long).

Lastly, we're down to just one week before we embark to Europe! We have a pre-Tour Concert this coming Thursday night at 7:30 in the Tabernacle for all those who want to come. I can guarantee you'll like it. You may even love it. :)

Until next time, God be with you.