TCATS #306 - Noticing the Other Person

I recently returned from a vacation to Jamaica which was absolutely wonderful. It did, however, cause me to miss two Thursday night rehearsals, plus a Sunday performance/rehearsal. As such, I was again in "observing mode" today. Thankfully, my friend Ryan was also in observing mode so we observed together--enjoying five great pieces that the choir performed for Music & the Spoken Word. My favorite of the bunch was Standing on the Promises. That song never gets old and never disappoints. There's so much of life that takes a toll on your faith and distracts you from what's most important. And this song always reminds me that things will be OK (actually, more than OK) if we stand on the promises that God has given us. And by standing, I mean living each day relying on those promises to be delivered as we strive to follow Christ.

As I was contemplating what to write about today, my wife gave me a good idea--so I'm going to go with it. :) During the past six years I've been in the choir, my wife and I will find ourselves at family events or going out with friends. And inevitably, the topic of conversation will either start with, or gravitate to, the Tabernacle Choir. The questions might be directed to me ("Ryan, so how's the choir going?") or when my wife is without me, she'll get the questions ("So how is Ryan enjoying the choir?"). When I get the questions, my good wife patiently smiles and listens--sometimes contributing experiences or insights. And when she gets the questions, she is obviously nice and answers those questions the best she can.

I am, of course, grateful for the interest people have about the choir and I recognize it's an easy and obvious topic to ask about. Their sincere desire to learn more is something I appreciate. However, I often feel bad that my wife repeatedly gets the short end of the stick. How I've wished that at least some of the time, people would come up to us and ask how she's doing. Or, at the very least, ask "So Jenn, how is it supporting Ryan in the choir? What are some of the highs and the lows you've been through?"

Like I said, people mean well and neither my wife nor I hold any sort of grudge towards anyone asking about the choir. It just illustrates an important principle that we all need to be aware of more often: sometimes it's the other person who could use the attention.

So, next time you're in a situation where you have the opportunity to talk to the less-noticed person--the one who may not, for example, be singing with a world-renowned choir that travels the the globe and sings to millions each week--take it! I guarantee that the person will be very grateful. And then, afterwards, when the conversation is needing a new direction, the obvious topic at hand is always one you can turn to. 

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #304 - Players on a Stage

I missed rehearsal for the week, so I was on the sidelines to watch the broadcast today. Sometimes when this happens, I actually get a little sad that I'm not singing. But today I was content to just sit and watch, next to my good friend Jason-- who was also content to just enjoy the observation experience. 

There were a few moments when I just looked around and noticed all of the "players" in this Tabernacle Choir experience. And as I did so, I thought about the famous words that Shakespeare once penned: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances." 

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will continue moving forward year after year as it's always done since 1847 (1929 began Music & the Spoken Word). The singers, the choir leadership, even the conductors will play their part for a time and then they will make their exit. Their replacements will then make their entrance. Those new players will contribute what they can, enjoy the marvelous experience it is, enrich others' lives, and then move on to something else. 

On the one hand, such an observation makes me feel rather unimportant. After all, one day some other individual will join the choir as a new addition to the bass section and he will inherit "my" number: B-108. All of my music markings--especially all of those arrows I drew pointing upward to help encourage me to sing just a little higher--will be his now. He might even sit where I sat, adding his voice to the voices of many others.

On the other hand, because I know that at some point that day will come, it's important not to minimize anything in "the now." No one understands this more right now than my friend Ryan, who only has six months left in the choir (having served all of his allotted 20)! He's been experiencing several last moments for months now and each time we have a concert or some other performance, it's usually the last of that type, for him. Who can even count all of the hours put into 20 years of service? It's unbelievable. And it definitely means something. He has been but one player on the stage. But all of those hours have helped to change him--and to change so many others. That's what consecrated service does to the giver and receiver. It changes them for the better. 

So, far be it from me to change Shakespeare's quote. But if I did, I would substitute the word "merely" for "vitally important". 

For truly, everyone is.

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #303 - What Choir Gives Me

Nothing too out of the ordinary happened this week--either at rehearsal on Thursday or on Sunday for Music & the Spoken Word. I did, however, get to miraculously sit next to my good friend Wes (which usually doesn't happen), and, they did announce the guest artist for this year's Christmas Concert (which you can read all about HERE). Other than that, a fairly "normal" choir experience this week. 

As such, I just thought I would selfishly reflect on what choir gives me--what it gives me today and what it has given me during these past almost six years.

<>Face-to-face Social Time: Because of my work from home employment situation, I'm secluded in my home office a lot and often feel socially starved. I talk to several people on the phone throughout the week, but I really miss face-to-face time with people. Choir provides that for me. There isn't a lot of social time at choir, actually, but I take what I can get. And through the years, some of my fellow choir members have become cherished friends.

<>Spiritual Experiences: my spiritual experiences aren't limited to choir, of course, but there are many to be found at choir. The music we rehearse and perform always has a positive, uplifting message and those messages, combined with the actual music, feed my soul.

<>Quality Singing: when I graduated from BYU and performed my last concert with the BYU Concert Choir, I thought that my time of being able to sing with really talented singers (on that scale) was probably over. From that point, up until the time I joined the choir, I have been able to enjoy several small-group performances (mostly at church) that were made up of truly talented singers. But there's nothing quite like being surrounded by 90+ basses who know how to sing. We all make our fair share of mistakes, but overall, it's a heavenly experience.

<>Sharing the Stage with Guest Artists:  Just within six years, I've been able to perform on the same stage with many, many professional singers. Heck, I even got to be on the same stage as the Muppets! From Santino Fantana, to Laura Osnes, to the King's Singers, to Rolando Villazon, to Hugh Bonneville and Sutton Foster, to Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly to Kristin Chenoweth to Sissell and many others. Just wow.

<>Gospel Insights: when memorizing songs and studying the lyrics, I've been taught a lot of insights about how to live the Gospel better. My personal strength has been renewed and my testimony deepened. My desire to follow Christ has been increased. And my love of family and friends has sweetened. 

I don't know how much longer my choir journey will be, but I'll continue to enjoy the blessings it gives me each and every week!

Until next time, God be with you.

Some pics from today's broadcast

TCATS #302 - Tears + Surprise Visit

The choir arrived a half-hour early Thursday night to join the orchestra in rehearsing a bit, and then performing for a group of newly called temple presidents and their wives. It was a rather small audience (<100), but there was nothing small about our performance. We really tried to sing with our hearts and give these good brothers and sisters an experience that would not only help them feel God's love, but also give them courage as they began their labors at various temples around the world. After we sang our final number "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling", I looked out and noticed the majority of them wiping tears from their eyes. After standing and clapping, several put their hands on their heart and looked up to us as if to say "Thank you--we received what you wanted to give."

A really great experience.

Afterwards, we launched into regular rehearsal thinking the night would play out like any other Thursday night rehearsal. But about 1/2 way through, Ryan Murphy stopped and said that we had a surprise. On cue, Kristin Chenoweth came walking out on stage (along with her manager and some others in her party). We arose and started clapping as she made her way to the conductor's podium to say a few words. You can read all about the experience HERE, but there were two things that impressed me. First, she said that out of all the experiences she's had performing (and you can imagine she's had A LOT of performing experiences), performing with the Tabernacle Choir was in her top THREE. Wow. Second, as she sat down on one of the benches in the Tabernacle to watch a little bit of the rehearsal, you could tell just how excited and happy she was to be here. Her face had a permanent smile on it while we sang the piece she heard the most of: When the Saints Go Marching In. 

She's just a great person. Period. Rick Elliott summed it up best when he said “She’s the kind of performer that just exudes so much love and warmth that people just respond. When you’re performing with somebody like that, it affects the whole performance. We love Kristin and it is a real treat to work with her.”


Other than that, today's performance of Music & the Spoken Word went really well. My favorite song of the five was a piece called "The Ground". I've never loved that title. But then I got to thinking about it. We owe a lot to the ground. Our food comes from the ground. Our cities are built upon the ground. All of the beautiful trees and plants are rooted in the ground. And it can be so beautiful--just like this song is! You're invited to click the link above and give it a listen. Three minutes of peace.

Until next time, God be with you. 

PS: Our Christmas CD and DVD just went on sale recently (featuring Kristin Chenoweth) and you can find them HERE. Also, if CDs aren't your thing anymore, you can stream the music from Spotify HERE and Apple Music HERE.

TCATS #301 - Of Anton, Capacity, & Christmas

Today we were pleased to welcome Anton Armstrong as a guest conductor for two of the songs we sang on Music & the Spoken Word. Anton is the music conductor at St. Olaf's College in Minnesota (read more about him HERE) and while I don't know much about the art of conducting, I sure thought he did a really great job. Sure, I love Mack's and Ryan's style, but it's always refreshing to have someone else at the helm for a bit! At the end of the run-through, after having called us friends several times during the rehearsal, he let us know how much he looks up to us and how grateful he was for the opportunity to conduct us. It was a heartwarming moment. His personal philosophy regarding music is right in line with the mission of the Tabernacle Choir: "I want the power of music — that Spirit — to transform those who perform and those who will hear the message. For me, that is a very powerful reason for doing what we do."

Following the broadcast, we turned our attention to....yep! You guessed it. Christmas music. Nothing like Christmas music in October :).  My family is especially smiling about this because they know how much I'd rather save Christmas music for the month of December. But, that's just not possible in this case. At any rate, we looked over three pieces of music and then did some recording of one of the songs so we could start to memorize the words and the notes. 

Some people have asked me who the guest artist is for this year and when tickets will go on distribution. Well, the guest artist has not been announced yet, but will be announced on KSL radio at 9:00AM on October 25th. I've heard absolutely zero rumors about this year's guest, so your guess is as good as mine. 

As for tickets, the choir leadership decided it best to go back to the random selection process for tickets. Check out the Choir's website for more details on how that works.

Lastly, I wanted to mention a good problem that we seem to be having each week. It's called FILLED TO CAPACITY. As early as the start of this year, I don't remember so many people coming each week to watch Music & the Spoken Word. I mean, there would be weeks where it would be filled, yes. But not so consistently--until now. It's great to see that so many people are interested and come to be uplifted. But at this rate, I'm not sure where they are going to start putting everyone :)

Oh, and lastly lastly, I got called today to officially serve in the library. Several weeks ago, I posted about my subbing in the library and now I get to serve there week in and week out. It's all great though. Lots of friends in the library and it's actually kind of fun. I guess God had a plan all along regarding this.

Ok. I think I'm done.
Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #300 - #GenConf189 [What I Saw & Felt]

Post #300. 
Have I already spent 300 weeks in the choir? 
My wife, who is such an incredible support to me, would answer that question with an emphatic "yes"! (And in all seriousness, a big thanks to her for years of going to church without me, cheerfully enduring all of the choir conversation when we meet with friends and family, holding down the fort when I'm at regular rehearsals and all of the extra rehearsals, and helping me make sometimes difficult choir-related decisions. SHE IS THE BEST)

This weekend was the General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As such, the choir was busy preparing for that event by rehearsing not just on Thursday, as we normally do, but on Tuesday evening as well. There are plenty of official reports about Conference itself (HERE and HERE, just to name a few) and probably some mention of the Tabernacle Choir providing the music for three of the sessions. But rather than give a play by play or a general overview or a top ten list, I just want to write about a few things I saw and felt as a member of the Tabernacle Choir participating in this worldwide Church event.


>>I saw so many volunteers everywhere I looked. The hundreds of ushers, the florists (shout out to Andrew!), the camera technicians, the overall timing and production coordinators, the security personnel, those driving the electric carts to shuttle general authorities and their families, those preparing and serving food, those putting out water next to each chair on the stand...the list just goes on and on. I felt very grateful for all of them.
>>I saw a special needs young lady just a few rows from the front with family on either side of her. During one of the congregational hymns, her family helped her stand and swayed her arms to the pulse of the music. Perhaps she couldn't hear very well and they were helping her get a sense of how the music felt. At any rate, it brought a smile to my face.
>>I saw several general authorities heartily congratulate Elder Johnson after he gave his talk and made his way back to his seat. There were a couple of handshakes given to him, but hugs were the most common form of "job well done!". It was nice to witness such loving support--support that the men and women who lead the church give to each other often.
>>I saw Bishop Gérald Caussé come up after the last session of conference and give handshakes and hugs to Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, as well as taking the time to wave and smile to the choir and the organists. 
>>I felt overwhelmingly happy while singing "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (will be posted HERE soon) as the last song at the Sunday morning session. That song never disappoints. I just always pray while singing it that I won't cry too much (because that would cause a very running nose and a froggy throat--neither of which are conducive to singing!). 
>>I saw groups of choir members chatting during the breaks--smiling, laughing, and enjoying one another's company. In the choir loft, quiet talking before the sessions or rehearsals centered around various aspects of the music, how fortunate people felt to be there participating, funny mishaps from past conferences, and inquiries about things going on in each other's lives. 
>>I saw Nathan Wright. And I felt sad that this conference marked the end of his choir journey that started back in 1998. I gave him a big hug afterwards and wished him good luck in his future endeavors.
>>I felt grateful for a few particular friends in the choir, who's hugs, smiles, words of encouragement, fist-bumps after nailing a song, and excellent musicianship are soooo appreciated.
>>I felt pleased when our directors Mack and Ryan told us how happy they were with all of the work we put into conference and how well all the songs went. 
>>I felt grateful to dedicate the song "More Holiness Give Me" to my wife. Every conference, I dedicate one song to her (which mostly just means I think of her while I sing it--and she knows I'm thinking of her) and this time, since her yearlong goal for 2019 was have more holiness in every part of her life, she chose that one. Which of course fit perfectly.
>>I felt grateful, too, as I just sat there for a few minutes and looked out at the 21,000+ individuals who were seated in the Conference Center. As they eagerly awaited instruction on how they could improve their lives, I thought how amazing it is that there are so many people in this world, and each one is someone who God loves and treasures.  
>>Lastly, I felt eager to be more loving, kind, and supportive to everyone around me. 

My hope is that I can do just that. 

Until next time, God be with you. 

Hanging out with good friends at lunch!

 

TCATS #299 - Kind

Sometimes it's difficult to be kind.
I'd like to think I'm generally a very kind person. And I think I am. At least, that's what people say about me. But I've come to realize that often there's an adverb attached to my version of kind that I'm not so proud of. 

Selectively.

There were a few things that happened both at Thursday's rehearsal and Sunday's broadcast that caused me to think very critically of some individuals. There were even other people around me that felt the same way. And when you hear of people agreeing with you, there's a sense of justification that creeps in which seems to make it all OK. I mean, if so many people think a certain way, and I think that same way, then my opinions and feelings have been validated and I should just move on.

(Incidentally, I realized with some irony, that the Spoken Word today was on....you guessed it. KINDNESS. How's that for a slap in the face! God certainly must have a sense of humor.)

At any rate, I'm still working through these "justifiable" unkind feelings and I realize that such a process can take time. But I think going through the process is worth it. After all, harboring unkind feelings does absolutely nothing for the individuals who are at the center of the unkindness. They have NO IDEA I'm thinking those things. But I know. And those feelings do nothing but hurt me. So I will work to resolve because it's the right thing to do.

There was one pretty cool thing that happened today. One of my best friends in the choir, Ryan Bateman, usually sits about three or four rows behind me. Which means that we never sit together for anything. What's interesting is that I used to sit next to him all the time back during my first couple of years when I was on those farther-to-the-back rows. But then I was moved down and our sitting next to each other days were over. Today, though, due to various people missing and the way things worked out, Ryan got to sit right next to me. 

It was a happy day. 

Ryan leaves the choir soon. We're the same age, but he's been in for 20 years--having started his choir journey quite young. So I'm glad we had a little reunion today and in all reality, it will probably be the last. 

But we'll be optimistic. :)

Until next time, God be with you.

Ryan and Ryan

Singing "How Excellent Thy Name" today