TCATS #333 - New Album Released!

Today's post was supposed to be "Reminiscing, Part 2", but I'll save that for next week if that's OK by you. I wanted, instead, to announce the official release of our new EP album called "When You Believe: A Night at the Movies". The album has five tracks on it, including songs from The Avengers, Star Wars, O Brother Where Are Thou?, Prince of Egypt, and Frozen. While a part of me wishes we would have included a few more songs on the EP and made it a full album (we certainly have other movie songs in our repertoire), I'm happy to see how well-received it's been thus far, all around the world. Some reviews on Amazon included the following sentiments: 

"Absolutely loved the music! I want more! I really enjoyed listening to each track. Duel of the Fates was my favorite."
 
"Hollywood should tap into this national treasure, the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, on a frequent basis. Too bad this was such a short list of music. Bravo!"

Kenny Mac on Twitter said "Stoked to announce that I had the immense honor to have done an original arrangement of music from the Avengers series with The Tabernacle Choir. Experience a brand new take on music from the series, now with the addition of a 360-person choir!"

In an article the Deseret News published, Mack Wilberg and Scott Barrick (the Choir's general manager) had this to say about the EP:

“With this EP, the one thing that was of prime importance was that the music had to be inspirational and it had to be faith-promoting,” the choir director said. “Both ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Avengers’ are about overcoming darkness, darkness to light. … The music has to have an integrity about it.”

“But we also tried to be cognizant of reaching out to new audiences,” Barrick added. “We tried to be aware of release dates of movies or anything that we could tie into like the ‘Star Wars’ day. … The pieces that Mack outlined were primary, but we tried to leverage all the other pieces so that we could share this music with as broad an audience as possible.”

A huge amount of kudos should go to the Orchestra at Temple Square for the amazing work they did on this EP. Sure, the Choir has some minor contributions to both the Star Wars piece and the Avengers piece, but for those two songs in particular, the Orchestra stole the show, as they say. One of the percussionists (drummers) in the Orchestra, Danny, on the eve of the EP release said "Are all y'all as excited as I am to listen to the Avengers Medley tomorrow? Bring it on!" That made me smile because I remember watching him go crazy on the drums as we were recording the medley. In fact, during the recording Mack Wilberg actually told him he could play louder (which never happens, haha!) and louder he did play! All of the percussionists and orchestra were just playing up a storm and having so much fun with it all. 

We all did. 

And while the Avengers and Star Wars tracks were big and epic and amazing, my personal favorite was "When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt. That song just gets me every time. I can only imagine how the children of Israel felt after being enslaved for so long and finally being able to be FREE. What a beautiful tribute to faith, endurance, and believing.

Our next album will be the Christmas Concert album featuring music from last year's concert. I'm sure that'll be released sometime in October or November. As for albums after that.... well, at the rate we're going with COVID-19, I'm really not sure. We might have quite a dry spell ahead of us!

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #332 - Of Reminiscing, Part 1

As social distancing continues to keep the choir apart, it's times like these when I need to just sit back and do some reminiscing of the "good ol' days". The art of remembering is a powerful tool that can be used for a lot of things, and I'd like to employ it right now as I think about some highlights during the past six years of being in the Choir. Ready to take a little journey with me? Awesome. And welcome aboard!

For part 1 of our journey, I take us back to March of 2014. The group I had come into the Choir with had been in choir school for about two and a half months. And because Bro. Wilberg was needing us to lend our voices to the upcoming Messiah performance, he asked that we start singing on Music & the Spoken Word. Why? Because these weekly performances were going to include pieces from The Messiah and we'd be able to learn them quicker if we joined the Tabernacle Choir in performing them (there's no better way to learn a piece than to know you're going to perform it, prepare accordingly, and then actually perform it). So, instead of traditionally waiting until the end of April/first part of May for those in the choir school to join the weekly broadcasts, we joined the second week of March (if memory serves). I'll never forget that first broadcast! I felt a mix of excitement, nervousness, exhilaration, and wonderment. In my mind, I was thinking of all of the times I had watched Music & the Spoken Word on television, always thinking very highly of all of the talented singers and wondering what it would be like to be one of them. And suddenly, there I was--one of them! Would I be on camera? Would I remember the words? Would I stand up, sit down, and bring up my folder all at the right times? I remember too, feeling nervous that I would mess up in turning the pages of my music or drop my music altogether because I had always held my music folder in my right hand--and the Tabernacle Choir all held folders in their left. It sounds like a little thing, but whether my left hand was up for the challenge remained to be seen! Anyway, while I don't recall exactly what pieces we sang, the thrill of it all of being my first actual performance was simply amazing. The fulfillment of a dream come true.

Another very memorable experience was my first Christmas Concert. Truth be told, I had never ever seen a Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert before. I had no idea what a huge production they were. As the guest artists had been announced months before, I had my doubts on how great it would be. Little did I know that the Sesame Street Muppets were determined to not only make this year's Christmas Concert great, but forever memorable! I remember going to rehearsal the Wednesday before and seeing everything just come together like magic. I was in awe. It was also the concert that I was able to perform next to one of my best friends in the choir--Ryan Bateman. The next three nights were full of inspiration and wonder and the audience just loved every minute of it. It was then I was taken to a new level of appreciation and gratitude for all of the great experiences I was being given in the Tabernacle at Temple Square. And I felt so excited for more to come.

Part 2 next week...
Until then, God be with you.

 

TCATS #331 - The Long Haul

There was word this week that several leaders from well-respected choral organizations around the world met for a webinar to discuss the future of choral singing given the pandemic we're in (The Tabernacle Choir was NOT involved--to be clear). The conclusions these leaders came to was that it could be up to TWO years before normal choral singing resumes. 

After hearing that, I couldn't help but think how outrageous such a conclusion was. Two years? Even one year seemed like a very long time! Thinking there was even a remote possibility that the Tabernacle Choir wouldn't be able to sing together until some time in 2021 just made me sad. I realize that these choral organization leaders are only making an educated guess based off of current pandemic related information, trends, social reactions, and other available data. And what they think might happen, may actually not happen. Obviously, they are hoping that their conclusions are flat out wrong. But, it certainly made me think about things a little more closely. 

And here are some of my thoughts.

It will likely take several months, at least, for groups of over 300 to be able to meet together.
And when such large groups are able to meet, they will likely be asked to keep their distance and wear masks. 
Who knows when groups of thousands will be able to congregate. Movie theaters that are reopening are keeping plenty of seats and rows between patrons and are sanitizing like crazy in-between movies. Sports teams have been talking about playing their regular seasons, but playing to a very limited number of spectators (if at all). Musicals and plays that are scheduled to be performed at Hale Center Theater, for example, are still on hold until at least Utah's recovery plan moves everybody from orange to yellow--even though yellow protocols, for cultural arts events, are almost the same as orange. It's really the green phase they are after. But that may be months...

Applying that all to the Choir:
Wearing masks is out--it would muffle our sound. 
We could sit apart from each other, but that, too, would affect our sound. Not to mention trying to find a configuration that would lend itself to an actual performance. 
Some of the hallways underneath the Tabernacle are narrow and when everyone is trying to put away their music or get changed into performance attire, social distancing would be ever so difficult if not impossible. 
It would be feasible to allow large spacing between audience members if we resumed operations in the 21,000 seat Conference Center. But again, keeping choir members and orchestra members with ample space between them just doesn't seem possible.

Anyway, I could go on. But the more I think about things, the more I think we're in for the long haul. It'll be interesting to watch how God continues to inspire our leaders and see what creative solutions they come up with in the future.

On the flip side, some choir members have chosen to voice their appreciation for this long extended break. Some blessings/positives? 
--Getting to sleep in on Sundays and spend more time with family.
--Having Thursday nights (typically rehearsal nights) to do other things.
--Not needing to memorize any music.
--Gaining a new appreciation for the blessing it is to be in the choir in the first place.
--Checking in with fellow choir members more often via texting or video chatting--allowing for friendships to deepen and expand in new ways.
--And, for those who were going on tour, suddenly having 15 vacation days to spend on other things.

We'll continue to see how things unfold. 
Until next time, God be with you.


 

TCATS #330 - 2020 Tour Officially Postponed

Those of you who follow the choir pretty closely have probably already heard by now that the 2020 Heritage Tour has been officially postponed to 2021. This news did not come as any surprise. I was almost positive it would either be cancelled altogether or postponed until a later date. And postponed it was. From other choir members I talked to, and from various posts on the choir's Facebook group, the general consensus was that while disappointing, postponing the tour was the right thing to do. 

Of course, moving the tour to 2021 comes with its own set of challenges for the choir members who were planning to go this year. Whether it be work projects, family vacations, financial difficulties (mainly from the COVID-19 fallout), or even the possibility of having more kids, the summer of 2021 is different than the summer of 2020. For me, my son Josh will be back from his mission to Albania and one of my daughters will be graduating from high school. And as such, we wanted to do a big family trip to celebrate those two events. Basically, if the only time we can do our family trip is at the same time the choir will be on tour, then the family trip will win out. But it's just too early to do some of that date-related detailed planning, so I'll wait and see. 

For those who are curious about how things will work regarding who gets to go on the 2021 tour, here's a very short Q&A for you:

1) Will all those who were selected to on the 2020 tour automatically be selected to go on the 2021 tour?  No. Everyone has to reapply and decisions will mainly be based on attendance at rehearsals and concerts during the past 12 months.
2) If you were approved to bring a guest on the 2020 tour, can you still bring one for the 2021 tour? No. Guests have to reapply as well. 
3) Will those retiring from the Choir in April of 2021 be eligible to go on the 2021 tour? Yes. So this is good news for those who originally thought that moving the tour out a year would make them ineligible to go. 

That's about it. And for anyone asking the question "When will you get to go back to Choir?"....well, the answer continues to be "I don't know." SLC has started easing restrictions, but social distancing is still a thing and large church congregations still can't meet. With a group our size, we will be the last ones to be given a green light. I'm hoping for August or September. But who knows. It's all sad to think about.

Until next time, may God be with you.

TCATS #329 - Logo #6 + Start Day

Even though the Tabernacle Choir itself continues to not meet, a new logo for the Choir was unveiled on Thursday of this week. There are several articles you can read about the new logo, HERE, HERE, and HERE. This is the 6th logo the Choir has had during it's existence. Check out all six, below (click picture to enlarge):

As for me and myself, I like the new logo. While some individuals I know are sad to see the iconic/traditional organ pipes replaced by the new, golden thinner ones, I kind of like the new ones. The one aspect of the logo I like the most is the font they used. All in all, I think the new logo is clean, bold, modern-looking, and--in my opinion--may just hold some special appeal to our younger listeners (we obviously love ALL of our listeners, but we're always interested in attracting whoever we can from the rising generation). 

You'll find the new logo already being used on the Choir's website and will be featured on an upcoming album to be released soon.

Changing topics, if I have my Sundays and dates correct, today would have been the day when our new choir members (who started Choir School back in January) would have sung on their very first Music & the Spoken Word broadcast. I feel sad that they'll have to continue to wait for that opportunity. But for what it's worth you new guys, we're thinking of you! Hopefully we'll all get to reconvene soon and do what we love to do: sing and spread the light of Christ through music and testimony.

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #328 - The Retirement (Postponed)

Today was supposed to be the one day a year when the Tabernacle Choir recognized those who were retiring--those who had given many years of dedicated "musical missionary" service. (As a reminder, choir members retire from the choir for one of three reasons: they have reached 20 years; they have turned 60; or they've decided to leave for personal reasons) Due to the pandemic-related social restrictions of course (what ISN'T related to that), retirement has been placed on hold--to be scheduled on some future mystery date. A date we wish we could actually know the month and day of. Thankfully however, those retiring will be invited back to sing on another broadcast of Music & the Spoken Word and will thus get the "closure" experience they can both prepare for and treasure.

I don't know all of the people retiring, but one of my best friends, Ryan Bateman, is. I've been thinking about him today and feeling very grateful for all of the wonderful experiences we've had in Choir together. I have many more thoughts to share about Ryan, along with a few photos, too, but I'll save all of that for the actual day in which he will be asked to say goodbye to the Tabernacle Choir experience and gently place his astounding 20 years of choir service on the shelves of his memory.

As for me, I continue to miss not being able to participate in the Tabernacle Choir experience. I almost hate to admit how much I've counted on it to give me a boost every week--both spiritually and socially. It'd be one thing if we just knew when--exactly when--we would resume normal operations. But we don't, and know one knows, and it's just all frustrating. Several people have been asking me about whether or not we're still going on tour this summer. And all I can ever say is, "I don't know." I'd frankly be surprised if we still were, but miracles can happen! We're all just waiting for the choir presidency and all involved in tour planning to analyze what they can and make decisions accordingly. I have no doubt they are doing their best with the information and forecasting they have available to them and when the time is right, they'll make the choice and let us all know.

Until next time, God be with you.
 

TCATS #327 - Day 28

The hiatus from Choir continues. . .
What are we doing with our time? 
Probably many of the same things everyone else is doing these days: helping our kids adjust to online learning, getting used to working from home, trying to limit trips to supermarkets and grocery stores (and sanitizing like crazy after getting back home), having lots of game nights, taking lots of walks, binge watching TV shows, getting used to extra dishes (kids being at home all day long=extra dishes), wondering when we'll get our next hair cut, finding projects we have been meaning to do but have never made a priority...until now, dreaming of actually having social contact with friends and loved ones, reading news headlines--95% of which are related to COVID-19, spending a little more time on Facebook and Instagram, contributing to the Coronavirus Quarantine Karaoke Party FB group, having Zoom conferences with family and friends, remembering how it felt to actually shake someone's hand or give them a hug, writing more in journals, being creative, and spending a little more time on various hobbies. And then, of course, there's praying for people--a lot of people. People out of work, those struggling with isolation-induced depression, those medical professionals on the front lines, those battling with COVID-19 themselves, and so many others. 

One day, though, we shall prevail and while the daily lives we return to might be forever influenced and/or changed in various ways by what we all just went through, hopefully we'll continue to be kinder, more sympathetic, less apt to judge, and more eager to be unified rather than divided. 

Anyway...

Any Choir-related news to report, you ask? 

Well, over the weekend, the Choir organization made arrangements to broadcast the 2018 performance of The Messiah (since we obviously couldn't perform it live this year). I did not catch the performance (I've seen it before), but those I know who did see/listen to it were very impressed and mentioned how much it added to their unique Easter celebration. If you'd like to watch it, you can do so HERE.

Other than that, we choir folks have a lot of questions that just don't have any answers right now. I won't speculate about anything, but I think the top questions on every choir person's mind include 
1) when will we be able to sing together again? 
2) will we still be going on tour at the end of June or will it be canceled or postponed?
3) will there be a retirement ceremony for those leaving the choir?

Until those answers are known, we'll carry on as we have been.

I do want to end today with my testimony of Jesus Christ, seeing as how it IS Easter today. 

I know that Christ lives. I know He loves me. I'm most grateful for his Atonement that allows me to do better, be better, and start fresh no matter how many times I mess up and fall short. I love to learn about Him--to study and ponder His amazing life full of miracles and wonder. Amazing mostly because of how many people He helped on both a group level and on a personal level. I'm grateful that I get to testify of Him and the truths He taught through music and song. Not singing for four weeks has made me realize just how much I miss doing it and how much I look forward to doing it again. I pray I'll continue to follow the one person who understands me and loves me the most.

Until next time, God be with you.