MTC Week #17 - Small Group Performances

April 27 - 2014  This week's post may be a little shorter as there wasn't a lot of Mormon Tabernacle Choir-related activities going on this week (I don't think I've been able to say since this journey began in January!). 

As I've already mentioned previously, 
we took our final written exam a couple of

weeks ago. Then last week was full of Messiah rehearsals and performances, and this week we had our 2nd to last Choir School class in which we sang, in small groups, in front of Ryan and Mack. Basically, we were divided into three groups, given a hymn to sing (which we've been aware of for a few weeks now), and then listened/replied to feedback that our director and associate director gave us. The whole point was to think about everything we've learned and directly apply it, real-time. After singing in through once, they had us re-sing a few sections, had us try and sound more unified, and asked us about any traps/trouble spots we observed (and tried to fix) while singing. Along the way, they gave us advice and instruction and told us the things to always focus on when we joined the choir. They also congratulated us on making it through Choir School and expressed their confidence that we'd be a valuable addition to the choir. Mack cautioned us that we'd have a steep learning curve this first year as we learned music each week and were asked to memorize some of it for the performances each Sunday. While I completely agreed with his comment about learning curves, I was thinking that those of us who already did the CD recording and The Messiah performance have already been exposed to that curve and now have somewhat of an idea of how challenging each week can be. For that, I'm grateful. 

The hymn we sang for Ryan and Mack was "Lean on Thy Ample Arm"--which certainly is not one that most congregations sing. In fact, I'd wager to say that most have never sung it. Period. As I was rehearsing it with my group, I finally realized that I hadn't taken the time to really hone in on the lyrics. They are actually very comforting so I thought I'd share them hear.

Lean on my ample arm, O thou depressed!
And I will bid the storm cease in thy breast.
Whate'er thy lot may be On life's complaining sea,
If thou wilt come to me, Thou shalt have rest.

Lift up thy tearful eyes, Sad heart, to me;
I am the sacrifice offered for thee.
In me thy pain shall cease, in me is thy release,
In me thou shalt have peace eternally.

The line about the storm really resonated with me. Recently it seems like life has been so very busy and stressful, that's there's been a storm within me that often seems to smother the peace I long for. But the hymn is clear: come unto Christ who loves you, who is interested in you, and who has the ability to comfort you. And He will provide you with some rest and peace. Just as he calmed the raging sea of Galilea, He can and does calm us.

It reminds me of a beautiful scripture from Moroni in the Book of Mormon: 

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

Until next time...God be with you!

MTC Week #16 - The MESSIAH

April 20, 2014 - After Friday night's performance of The Messiah, Scott Barrick (General Manager of the Tabernacle Choir) sent this to us:

---------------------------

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!  That's what last night's performance of Messiah was!  Thank you!  In addition to thrilling audiences in the Tabernacle, Legacy Theater and Conference Center Theatre, our audience stretched around the world!  Here are some of the highlights:

At the high point, we had 3,000 viewers watching on YouTube.

We were "trending" on Facebook, meaning that a lot of people were sharing the link to the concert and commenting and liking the content.

As I write this at 8:30 Saturday morning 1,920 people had liked the Facebook post about Messiah, with 815 shares and going up by the minute.

The concert had already been viewed over 6,000 times on YouTube. (editor's comment: we're now at nearly 9,000 as of 4/20/14)

We had comments from Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, Africa, Switzerland and all the way to Grain Valley, Missouri!

--------------------------

Steve D (who stood
on my right and
helped keep me on
track!)

While I'd have to agree that it WAS stunning (and lots of other adjectives such as incredible, stirring, emotional, sacred, and moving), from a singer's perspective, it was also emotionally draining and mentally exhausting! As one who has never sang The Messiah before (minus the Hallelujah Chorus), I

Rob G. (who stood on
my left, and helped me
as well)

found it very difficult to truly enjoy the experience as much as I really wanted to because I was trying so hard to sing it correctly. That said, there WERE many moments where everything seemed to "lock in" and I was able to be immersed in the testimony of Christ that Handel had ingrained into this work of art. And for those moments I'm very grateful. Other choir members I talked to (particularly those of us in Choir School still) had similar feelings about the experience.

Those who came and witnessed the event enjoyed it immensely. I couldn't believe the applause at the end. I felt like I was in a football stadium. 

At the end of the day though, if it helped someone, in someway, come closer to their Savior and want to be more like Him... then as Choir members, and orchestra members, and soloists, and Director, and stage crew, and choir supportive staff making it all possible, we successfully lived up to our calling as musical missionaries.

Happy Easter to everyone. May you find a greater desire to be like our Savior in all you do.

Until next time, God be with you!

MTC Week #15 - Final Exam

April 13, 2014 - Amidst all of the preparations for our upcoming Messiah Concert (which takes place this coming Friday and Saturday), there was the little detail of preparing for, and taking, our FINAL EXAM. No one was too excited for this event and I think secretly we in the Choir School were all hoping that somehow it would be canceled. We envisioned the Choir President coming into class Tuesday evening and saying "Beloved Choir School members: because this year had been a very unique year for our choir school in that you've delivered a beautiful concert a whole month earlier than normal; have sung in numerous Music and the Spoken Word performances before graduating; have already contributed to the recording of a new CD; and have attended numerous extra rehearsals for the upcoming Messiah concert, we feel it only appropriate that you be considered full-fledged Mormon Tabernacle Choir members without needing to take the final exam. Congratulations!!"

Ha!

This of course did not happen. So, we combed through our notes, handouts, and other materials that covered music theory, important music habits, and singing technique (oh, and of course, the Choir Handbook)--all of which we have been learning over the past 14 weeks, and showed up Thursday night to do our best. Truth be told, it wasn't THAT bad. Some tricky questions here and there to be sure, and I'm sure none of us enjoyed the multiple choice ones that had a bazillion possible answers ("a & e", "b & c", "a, d, & e", "all of the above", "none of the above".....you know the kind). But in speaking with others after it was all over, everyone felt about the same: just glad to be done and thankful for the things they had learned.

And truly, I am grateful for the things I've learned. While I believe I've incorporated a few of them already, I hope to incorporate a lot more as I continue on this journey.

I realized however, after it was over and I was walking up to the loft to rehearse Messiah pieces, that I was feeling a bit sad. Sad that our Choir School group was about to be incorporated into the Tabernacle Choir proper. Don't misunderstand. . .I'm stoked to be joining the Choir soon. I have to pinch myself often to remind myself that my Heavenly Father has given me such a choice opportunity. However, being in a smaller group, getting individualized attention, going through this part of the journey with the other choir school members (and becoming friends with many of them), getting to learn a difficult piece of music under the direction of Ryan Murphy...I will miss it. A lot.  A big shout out to all of the choir school members, the instructors, and the staff members who have made it all such a good experience. Thank you.

Well, we performed several pieces from The Messiah, on Music and the Spoken Word today and we have a couple of rehearsals left to try and perfect all of the other pieces we'll be singing (I counted, and I think there are 20 or so chorus numbers we'll be performing). This is challenging music to learn and my diaphragm is about ready to call it quits singing all of the melismas. But at the same time, it's been amazing. Handel was a genius and his music is truly inspiring and a work of art. His testimony of Jesus Christ is something that all of us in the choir (coupled with our own testimony of Christ) hope to share with the world this coming weekend.

Until next time...God be with you!

PS: The Choir announced their 2015 tour destination. You can find the official announcement here!

MTC Week #14 - Top Ten, April 2014 Conference

April 6, 2014 - There are so many experiences and thoughts to share about this past week that I thought I'd do a Top Ten post (in no particular order). My hope is to convey how blessed I feel to participate in this great organization whose goal it is to spread the great Gospel of Jesus Christ.

10 - Hearing from the individual in charge of arranging guest artists to come sing with the choir. He told us some interesting stories, focusing on the experience he had in arranging for David Archuleta to sing at the Christmas Concert a few years ago. It gave me appreciation for all that goes into the process of securing a guest artist, and it was interesting to hear how each guest artist was changed for the better after their singing experience. 

9 - Practicing for conference. We spent several hours Tuesday and Thursday

View from the choir seats at the Conference Center

evenings rehearsing songs for conference. Choir School members were assigned to sing at one of the five sessions of conference but we were asked to learn music for all of the sessions just in case an opening became available (someone from the Choir got sick, had other commitments, etc). The songs we rehearsed have such powerful messages and it was a privilege to sing them over and over and over again.

8 - Conversing with other choir school members about our chore of memorizing music. I think this talent comes easier for some than others. Personally, it takes me quite some time to memorize--time spent outside of rehearsals. I gained strength listening to others as they worked on it, and as I spent a few hours myself memorizing, I was reminded of how good it feels to be prepared. "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (Doctrine & Covenants 38:30) In the back of my mind I kept thinking "I already was asked to sing for one additional session (aside from my assigned one), so the chances of me having to sing this last song I need to memorize (which was for a different session) are REALLY slim." But, I finally decided that feeling prepared was worth the effort. Not to mention that getting my memorization skills up to par will certainly help me for future memorization requirements!

7 - Singing in the Conference Center and becoming more acquainted with this marvelous building. The spirit there is incredible and it's an architectural wonder. I was humbled again at being able to take part in singing in this Choir.

6 - Singing next to Andrew, Eric, Preston, Ryan, Mark, and Ben during rehearsals and live performances this week. What awesome singers!

5 - Hearing compliments given by choir members to other choir members. There's just such a spirit of love in the choir and everyone thus far has been so friendly and supportive and ready to compliment whenever possible. I was the recipient of several such compliments this past week and they really made me feel happy.

Hanging out

4 - Having opportunities to talk off-topic behind "stage". Truth be told, there is very little time to actually just talk to other choir members. Mack and Ryan run a tight ship and talking really isn't tolerated during rehearsals. However, this past week there were several opportunities to have various conversations with people and further friendships.

3 - Pondering some of the lyrics to the songs we were singing. Here are just a few of so many we sang:

Take time to be holy, speak oft with the Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

(Take Time to Be Holy)

I believe in Christ; so come what may,

With him I'll stand in that great day

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men.

(I Believe In Christ)

Fear not, though the enemy deride;

Courage, for the Lord is on our side.

We will heed not what the wicked may say,

But the Lord alone we will obey.

(Let Us All Press On)

Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.

His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.

Thus saith our God: "Ye have eternal life!"

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

(Press Forward Saints)

My wife Jennifer and one of
my sons Joshua at the Sun
PM session

2 - Feeling the support of friends and family, particularly my wife and kids who allow me the time away to do this. It's not easy but my wife doesn't complain one bit and my kids work hard to pick up the slack. THANK YOU!

1 - Being able to listen to modern day prophets and apostles. I relish Conference every April and October and being able to sing in the Choir made it an even more cherished experience. I love what these brothers and sisters say to us and am grateful that in this world of shifting values and general chaos there are voices reminding me what is good and true. 

President Thomas S. Monson (middle) with his counselors Henry B. Erying & Dieter F. Uchtdorf

It's now onward and upward to learn music for our upcoming performance of The Messiah. 

Until next time...God be with you!

MTC Week #13 - Preparation

March 30, 2014 - The amazing choir school journey is nearing completion and at the end of the experience lies a final exam. I'm thoroughly [NOT] excited about that, but it is what it is. Given this fun little experience is right around the corner, our instructors spent time both on Tuesday and Thursday to give us a review of our past twelve weeks. From triads, to intervals, to major and minor scales, to articulation, to resonance, to the vocal tract (and many more review items), we worked to remember and prepare. I mentioned to Ben and Andrew and a few others that singing the full MESSIAH should be our final exam. But somehow I don't think that will fly. 

Amidst that review, we had a couple of interesting experiences. First was a visit by the two individuals who oversee the social media needs of the Choir: Eric Malizia and Drew Conrad (they looked quite young, but having a pair of young guys leading the social media dept for the choir is probably the best fit

Eric Malizia

you could have). Eric led out in giving us a presentation which covered Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Blogs, Instagram, and Pintrest and explained both how the Choir uses those tools and how WE can use those tools to help spread the Choir's message throughout the world. He also gave us a look at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's website--highlighting its content/resources and how easy it is to share those things using the social media tools. For all of you fans of the choir (or even if you're only slightly interested), the website has a lot of cool stuff: past episodes of Music & the Spoken Word (MSW), individual songs

Drew Conrad

from MSW (just in case you don't have a lot of time to watch a full 30 min broadcast), concerts featuring special guests, interviews, upcoming schedules, ticket info, and more. I encourage you to take a look, bookmark it, and if you're ever in the need of a little uplift or break from a stressful day, listen to one of the songs (try this gem) and I'm sure you'll feel refreshed and inspired.

The other experience of note was when Ryan Murphy just took a few minutes to talk more about the concert we had last week. He mentioned comments he had received and how well we did, and was just very happy with the whole experience. He said something I'd like to quote here about what the concert did to people and what music can do in general. He said "music can sink down into the fiber of who we are and forever change us." I fully believe that. I can think of many experiences where that has happened to me. And those changes resulted in either increasing my testimony of Christ or helping me gain new perspectives on life and what's truly important.  

After his words, he opened it up to the choir members to share anything they wanted to share. At first there were only a couple of hands, but then more and more hands went up and I think we spent the next 20 minutes listening to those who wanted to share feedback. Most of that feedback was about people who had attended at the invitation of choir members, and what those people had said about it. It was actually quite humbling to listen of person after person who had come away from the concert feeling uplifted and strengthened, and more appreciative of life's blessings. Indeed, Christ has blessed each of us tremendously. 

To end, a few of you have asked if I'm singing for Conference this coming weekend. They invited members of the Choir School to sing for one of the sessions (and be on stand-by for the others). I was assigned to sing during the Sunday PM session.

Until next time...God be with you.

MTC Week #12 - Commitment

March 23, 2014 - Before I launch into this week's post, I must first thank my wife for handling the evening family affairs every night this past week without me. Thank you for your support Jenn! I couldn't do this calling without you.

So as mentioned before, new members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are not officially members of that Choir until they graduate from both Choir SCHOOL, and from the Temple Square Chorale. There are still a few weeks left

My wife and I after the concert

in Choir School and we'll actually have a final "exam" which will consist of singing in small groups before Bro. Wilberg and Bro. Murphy (incorporating all of the things we've learned these past several months) and taking a written exam covering everything from music theory we've learned about, to all of the singing habits we've covered. That happens in a few weeks. Regarding the Chorale however, our graduating concert occurred this past weekend on Friday and Saturday evening. Tuesday thru Thursday were spent in various preparations for that concert. Add to that the fact that we sang on Music and the Spoken Word this morning, and you get one very long long week at the Tabernacle!

My kids (minus my youngest) at the Concert

That said, it was both a rewarding week and an exciting one as we got to see the fruits of our many hours of rehearsals since January. As we combined our singing with the magnificent orchestra it was a very rich and emotional experience.

On Friday, I had sent out an email to those who I knew were coming to the concert explaining the three pieces we were performing. I thought this was important music always means so much more if you have some understanding and context. As I've spent over 40 hours rehearsing this music which culminated in this concert, I think it only fitting to end with my thoughts on what the music meant to me. So here's a copy of that email (with the tense changed):

----------------

Starting with the middle piece we sang: Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughn Williams. These words actually mean "Give us peace." This piece contains six movements: 

The first simply repeats the Agnus Dei, Dona Nobis Pacem phrase several times. It sets the stage for the contrast about to come in the other movements. I thinks of a people who are preparing for conflict and who are praying in their hearts for God to give them peace. They want to be strengthened for the challenges they are about to face.

The second movement is where the war and conflict commences. The text describes the drums and bugles of war bursting through doors and windows, disrupting the peaceful lives of church congregations, scholars, bridal couples, and other civilians.

Vaughan Williams

The third laments why there has to be war in the first place because of the destruction and death it causes. It hints at a time when we won't have to worry about that any more. It also speaks of the reality that even enemies are human beings and all mankind should be respected not because of their deeds or thoughts or beliefs, but because we're all brothers and sisters.

The fourth is a funeral procession "march". It speaks of a father and son, killed in the war, and being laid to rest. Even though it's a somber movement, the music hits at the importance of hope.

The fifth takes some text from the Book of Jeremiah and talks of the possibility of more conflict coming. There's anxiety, there's uncertainty, but hope remains.

The sixth is a beautiful ending that talks of everything being made right again, where there's no more war and love abounds. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will towards men."

It's easy to relate all of this to each of us, from a spiritual perspective. We fight wars each day--and there are high and low moments. But amidst it all, we plead for peace and look forward to the day of Christ's coming when not only the world catastrophes, conflicts, and wars will cease, but our personal struggles will be overshadowed by the love and peace with which Christ will reign. 

The first piece that starts the concert (after the orchestra is finished) is Requiem Aeternam by Brother Wilberg. It sets the stage for Dona Nobis, and means "Grant them eternal rest, O

Rich Adams

Lord." 

The last piece is my personal favorite of the three. Let Peace Then Still the Strife, also by Mack Wilberg. Every so often, the words of a song combine perfectly with the notes/chords, rhythm, everything.... The message of the song is one of hope for loved ones we've lost--knowing that we will see them again. I haven't lost too many people close to me yet, but aside from that topic, it's simply a song of how we should look at life: that it's precious! And our time with loved ones is precious too. Hats off to Rich who performed the solo at the beginning of the song. He just started with me in January. But he does a beautiful job.

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I want to thank all of those in the Chorale for working so hard. Ryan Murphy was very pleased and happy about our performance, and Mack Wilberg also mentioned how much he enjoyed hearing us sing.

And now on to learn all the vocal numbers of The Messiah!

MTC Week #11 - Think About the Words

March 16, 2014 - We (the new choir recruits) have been meeting down below the Tabernacle in the "recording room" for Chorale practice, and this past Tuesday was our last time practicing there with just us newbies and Ryan Murphy. I didn't really realize that until Ryan gave us some heartfelt words at the end of rehearsal. He thanked us for our hard work. He told us how proud he was of what we had

Ryan--It's been a pleasure!

accomplished in such a short amount of time. And he gave us encouragement for the days ahead in the actual choir we were soon to become a part of. As I thought about his words, I gained more appreciation for these past weeks of singing in a smaller setting, with a director only a few feet away, and with individuals who had started this journey with me. That will all change shortly. New adventures await--though I admit to feeling a tad bit sad about this particular experience coming to an end. Anyone who knows me knows I don't like endings to experiences that have been so rewarding.

As I was singing throughout this week, there were several times that Ryan reminded us to remember what we were singing about. It's not just about getting the notes right and aiming to bring all of the elements of choral singing together from a technical standpoint (though that is all certainly important). It's really thinking about the words you're singing and how those words make you feel. When that happens, not only is the singer impacted, but those listening feel something too. And those feelings can lead to improving one's life and coming nearer unto Christ. 

So the next time you sing a hymn at church or listen to a song that has the potential to move you, think about the words!

Waiting for the "all clear"

For choir school on Thursday, we had a most interesting night. It started with the emergency alarm going off (unplanned) and all of us filtering out of the Tabernacle to await further instructions. Since the actual choir was doing their rehearsal as well, our combined groups made for a large gathering outside. We all took the time to do some socializing, which opportunities don't happen as often as you'd think. (We later found out some workers had been drilling concrete somewhere on the premises and the dust tricked the smoke alarms into thinking it was actual smoke).

Later that evening, we had a "public affairs" presentation by a sister who's job it is to prepare us for encounters with the press/media--and to remind us that we are good will ambassadors who's job it is to "let [our] light so shine," as Matthew tells us in chapter 5, verse 16 of his words. She emphasized that our music can help heal, bring joy, and cross cultural boundaries. It was a great presentation. She also talked about when the choir goes on tour and how important it is at those times to make sure we are indeed portraying to the public our testimonies of Jesus Christ in all of our words and actions.

And speaking of tours, there was plenty of excitement when one of the staff

members came into the class to let us know that the 2015 tour destination

has been decided! Unfortunately I can't make that destination known via this blog (the Choir media relations dept will make that announcement public soon, I'm sure) but I can say that everyone was quite excited to listen to where we'd be going, where we'd be singing, and the various sites we'd see along the way.

I'd like to end this week's post with some lyrics of a song we've been rehearsing, and which we'll be performing next week at our Chorale Concert. I invite you to think about them--and even perhaps think about them while listening to a performance of them (our friends at the First Plymouth Church did a recording of this).

Let peace then still the strife,

The loneliness and grief,

Come heal the piercing silence of passing.

And sweet familiar strains,

The voices lost in death,

Arise in songs of hope everlasting.

Then let the voices roll

As waves upon the sea;

Come forth and break upon us, refreshing.

And barren coves be filled -

O'er flow with reverie!

Let mem'ry salve as Gilead's caressing.

And though the balm be spread,

Let tender rifts remain

That breaking hearts not yield to forgetting.

For hearts rent wide at death,

Unfolded to our dead,

Hear singing from beyond sunlight's setting.

Then sing, beloved ones,

Reach o'er the summer sea.

Pour forth thy boundless love for us living!

Sweep into ev'ry soul,

Make music of our tears,

Turn all our songs to joy and thanksgiving!

And when we silent pass,

From far across the sea

Let praises ring for life's wond'rous blessing.

Then sing ye living souls!

Sing generations past,

Swell high the tide of life, us refreshing!

Sing forth as with one voice,

Bear silent grief away,

Resound with peace and hope everlasting!

And all who wait and sing,

Sing on from earth and heav'n

And make our crossing forth joyful passing!

Until next week....God be with you.