MTC Week #69 - Come 'Round Right

There are three things I wanted to write about today, so I'll jump write into the first.

1 - Today's Music and the Spoken Word broadcast marked the first for the new members of the choir. It was fun to see their enthusiasm and feel their anticipation as they officially began their Mormon Tabernacle Choir journey. After the broadcast was over, Lloyd Newell had all of us sit down except for the new members, and then proceeded to recognize them in front of all who were in attendance. We all clapped and smiled and I'm sure the rest of us in the Choir were perhaps thinking back to the day we joined. I know I was. Yes, it was only a year ago for me, but at least for today, it seemed like a long time ago.

2 - Tour excitement is starting to build as our choir leaders are giving us more and more information about it. With verbal announcements before rehearsals and written paragraphs in our weekly email announcements, we're starting to think about it and prepare for it more. While we're still waiting for a more detailed day-to-day itinerary, there are pockets of time here and there when we're not performing or rehearsing that we'll be able to do some sight seeing. The current choice before us is how we'll be spending some free time in D.C. We're to pick whether to go on a tour of Mount Vernon (see the mansion and gardens, the family tomb, and spend a short time in the museum and gift shop) or to go to the National Mall (and visit the Smithsonian Museums, Ford’s Theater, Arlington Cemetery, or the Monument Walk, among other sites). In not too much longer, we'll begin a slew of extra rehearsals to prepare for the two concert programs we'll be performing at the various venues (one is for when we perform indoors, one for outdoors). Fun times ahead!

3 - There was one song we sang today that had me really thinking. I thought about the words over and over again and I just wanted to share a few things that came to me. The title of the song is "Simple Gifts" and is a Shaker song composed in 1848:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

These words speak to the very core of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Life is good when we live simply; when we come down from pride and live in humility; when we focus on loving others and treating them with respect; when we submit to the trials and hard things of life that allow us to molded into the person God wants us to be; and when, at the end of each day, we have turned from temptation and weakness and our individualized vices and have thus "come 'round right." 

Until next time, God be with you. 

MTC Week #68 - Triple "R" (Requiem, Retirement & Ryan)

At the end of any notable week with the Choir, I always find myself in the same emotional place--a place I don't mind being. And that place is "grateful."  

The Temple Square Chorale and the Orchestra at Temple Square put on their annual concert this past Friday and Saturday. As mentioned previously, the 2nd year Choir members participated with the 1st year members in this experience-- and all that we had been working on during these past four months came to fruition this weekend as we sang Mozart's REQUIEM. After some final rehearsals (last Saturday, and this past Tues, Wed, and Thurs), and some excellent warm-ups each night from Cherilyn, Ryan Murphy gave us some final notes and then expressed his gratitude for us. He said that this Chorale has been one of the best he's had the privilege to work with and cited skill and consistency as two reasons for that assessment. Helping us remember 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.", he left to go conduct the orchestra portion of the program while us choir members waited a bit for our turn to take the stage.

We took to the stage, ushered in so expertly by our fellow choir member Gerald

Gibb, and enjoyed presenting to the audience Mozart's Requiem. From a music

technicality standpoint, there were several things could have done better on. But our spirits were strong and overall we sounded great based off of post-concert feedback. Even Ryan was thoroughly impressed as he spoke to us Saturday night about our performance. As we reviewed the mistakes we had made, we went back out on stage Saturday night and nailed it! It was a good feeling. And it was very rewarding seeing the 1st years so happy about what they, and all of us, had accomplished. In fact the friend I stood by (1st year Dave Lawrence, who I had sung with at BYU) was all smiles!
We felt....grateful.

Truth be told, while I struggle a bit singing pieces that are in another language (simply because the words, not being in English, don't convey the same meaning to my spirit and heart), I found that singing this Requiem was amazing. The depth, the emotion, and the overall meaning of the songs were so impacting. From the loud shouts of Dies Irae! to the haunting melody of Lacrimosa, I found myself on an emotional rollar coaster. While the official meaning of "requiem" is a "mass for the dead", I like to focus on the origin of that word which is "rest." And are we not all on a journey to find rest? Rest from the cares of this world and from our troubles and sorrows? Through Christ, this is all possible.

While attending Chorale again this year has come at a cost (Tuesday nights are one of the busiest nights for my family), I am sad to have it end. Befriending many of the 1st year folks, singing an excellent work of music, and learning from Ryan Murphy, have all been wonderful experiences.

With the Requiem and the Chorale experience finished, we assembled this 

morning for Music & the Spoken Word. Unlike every other week however, today's broadcast was the last for several members of the choir (27 I think it

was). These individuals were set to retire today after serving anywhere from 5 to 20 years. As such, everyone's emotions were on the sentimental and sad side--particularly for those who were retiring and those who knew well those who were retiring. Even some of us who didn't have much tie to these individuals (being too new to the choir) were emotional as well! The reason for this, I concluded, was two fold. First, even though we didn't know these choir members very well, they were still a part of the "choir family" and the choir would not be the same without them. Second, tender emotions surfaced just by putting ourselves in their shoes. Would time go by as quickly for us as it did for them? Anyhow, trying to get through singing "Homeward Bound" on the broadcast was a mess given the applicability of the lyrics.

View of the retirement ceremony (thanks RB)

The retirement ceremony itself was very nice. Bro. Wilberg had each retiree come up, and while they were being presented a plaque, he would read some words that that retiree had written down. Such words spoke of choir memories, notable events, and general feelings of having sung in the choir. It was all both interesting and contemplative and while I could write more about feelings I was having, I was mostly just grateful that I get to have the experiences I'm having.

Scott Russon (left) and Dave Peterson (right)
were two of the retirees. Scott was in my ward
growing up and we often did musical numbers
together in my earlier years.

A photo of the marble plaque given to each retiree

To end today's post, (and to address the third "R" in today's title), my great friend Ryan Bateman and I arranged for all of us Ryan's in the choir to get a photo taken. And since one of the retirees was named Ryan, today had to be the day! Congregating outside the Tabernacle for a bit, Deb Gheris took a few photos of all eight of us. And we were grateful that associate conductor Ryan Murphy joined us! Results of this unique photo shoot will be posted as soon as the photos are available. Much thanks to Ryan Murphy, Ryan Bateman, Ryan Omer, Ryan Withers, Ryan Bell, Ryan Larsen, and Ryan Snarr for participating in this fun event. After all, us Ryan's have got to stick together!

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #67 - Marking Up

Marks.

Every good musician has many of them throughout each song being learned. Pieces of music already come with several markings that inform the musician how to sing (or play) the piece the way the composer intended. However, as the director leads the choir and orchestra through rehearsals, he or she points out things that the musician needs to be aware of and even has the liberty of changing existing marks to fit a different style or interpretation. 

In Choir School, we're taught to look through a piece of music and "spot the traps" even before the director points them out. "Traps" meaning notes or rhythms or dynamics that we have a greater potential of singing incorrectly if we don't focus on them. With red pencils handy, we use circles, arrows, dots, straight lines, and a whole host of other markings to remind ourselves to sing it right.

The frustration with all of this comes when we don't PAY ATTENTION to the markings. 

At Chorale rehearsal on Saturday, as we were going through Mozart's Requiem, whether it was actually singing in the Tabernacle, or standing on risers, or being in a straight line, or it being a Saturday morning (or a combination of all of those things), we had a hard time paying attention to things that were already marked. Bro. Murphy would say, on several occasions, "do you have this marked in your music?" For which I'd quickly look and discover that yes, yes I did have it marked. Except that I hadn't paid attention and had thus sung it wrong. From then on out, I made an increased effort to notice the markings. And you know what? Those marks were extremely helpful and made the rehearsal go so much more smoothly.

Marks can be applied to life. As we go through our days, and months, and years

here on earth, we learn many things. To live happily requires that we "spot the traps" and make mental marks of what to do and what not to do. Many of those marks comes from mistakes we make because we don't want to repeat those mistakes. Other marks we proactively strive to remember because we're smart enough to know what will (or will not) ensure a good outcome. 

Regardless of where the marks come from, we just need to pay attention to them. That is not easy. There are plenty of times when the choir gathers for rehearsal and we take too long to "get into the zone" and concentrate on singing the way our music and markings are telling us how to sing. Our director is typically not very happy about that. But he's patient and he helps us remember and points things out again and again so those marking take hold.

God, our ultimate director, is patient too. And when we fail to heed our marks and mess up, He's there to help us back on the path. He wants us to be happy each and every day. And Christ paid the price that we can get back on the path. How grateful I am for that.

I end with a verse from one of the songs we sang today that fits this theme:

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven; To His feet thy tribute bring.Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore His praises sing: Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!Praise the everlasting King.

Let us pay attention to the marks! And if there are days we don't, we can most certainly be healed, restored, and forgiven as a loving Heavenly Father helps us get back up and move forward.

Until next time, God be with you.

Singing "Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven"

MTC Week #66 - April Conference 2015

As I sit here pondering over what to include in this post (as Conference weekend is always so full of thoughts and experiences), I thought it best to just write what's in my heart. I suppose I can't go wrong taking that route, can I? 

General Conference is something I always look forward to. Even before I was in the choir, I had such feelings of anticipation. It's a time when I feel a lot of warmth and a lot of light. It's a time when I feel unity as church members from across the planet come together and show their faith--faith that as they listen to both the words spoken and the music performed, they will be inspired to be more like Jesus Christ.

Being in the choir has only added to the "general conference experience." And today, being Easter, I was extremely grateful to sing songs about Christ, His life, His teachings, and His resurrection. I love my Savior and I acknowledge the enormous impact He has had in my life. Sharing my testimony and love of Him through music this day was a treasure and great blessing.

One of the ways it was a great blessing was being able to sing at all. Health-wise this past week, I've felt fine but I've had this nagging cough which has made it difficult to sing. (Any of you who have tried to sing while resisting the urge to cough can certainly relate) For much of the rehearsal time this week, I simply had to mouth the words while sucking on lozenges and drinking lots of water. But through prayers and blessings from heaven, I was able to sing just fine yesterday and today. A tiny, personalized, Easter miracle.

Another way it has been a blessing was watching the 1st-year folks make their choir singing debut as they were each assigned one of the conference sessions to sing at. Talking to several throughout the week, they were both nervous but excited. And today I saw a lot of both of those emotions reflected in their countenances. It brought me back to just a year ago when I was in their shoes. Their excitement helped generate excitement for me and I was grateful to have been with them yesterday and today.

There were so many great songs we sang today that I'm at a loss of which one to focus on. However, if you were to combine all of the messages of these great songs, I think the theme could be summed up by a phrase from one of the children's songs we sang today called He Sent His Son: 

Have faith, have hope,Live like His Son,Help others on their way.

Isn't that what it's all about? Christ's atonement, Christ's resurrection, Christ's entire life of service and instruction...it's all so that each of us can have faith and hope in Him, improve and be like Him, and then employ our efforts to helping others.

Two last things I want to say.

First, I want to thank my fellow basses for their friendship and for their excellent musicianship. I want to thank the fine organists and conductors for their talents. And I want to thank my wife and family for their support while I sang this weekend.

Second, for all of you who watched any or all of conference, just remember that we improve little by little. Sometimes it's a bit overwhelming to hear all of this great counsel from prophets and apostles and then figure out where to start implementing it all. Take one thing, make one goal, and go from there :) 

Until next time, God be with you.

(below are some random pics)

After the Sun AM session concluded

Waiting in line for lunch

 

A few of us "2nd Years" commemorating our first conference one year ago

Singing "Lord I Would Follow Thee"

Another from "Lord I Would Follow Thee"

Singing "Stories of Jesus"

MTC Week #65 - Of Warland, McDonald, and Pilgrim's Hymn

The Chorale continued learning Mozart's Requiem this week. It's not quite "crunch time" but the concert is only three weeks away and we still have some perfecting to do for sure. Ryan gave us some high praise for the type of choir he feels we are, and have become. That was gratifying to hear. And as a bonus, the basses in particular were having a very "on" night Tuesday.  He said he was doing an experiment to see if the more praise he gave us the better we would sing. I think it worked! While I won't miss the time commitment that Tuesday rehearsals demand of me, I will miss working with Ryan in a smaller choir setting.

Dale Warland

So Thursday night was pretty crazy. We rehearsed for just a bit and then guest conductor Dale Warland took the podium to conduct "Pilgrim's Hymn." While I was not familiar with Mr. Warland, he certainly did a great job directing this wonderful song and making sure it fit his vision of what he wanted it to sound like. From Wikipedia, "Dale Warland (born April 14, 1932) is an American conductor, composer, founder of the Grammy-nominated Dale Warland Singers, scholar, teacher, choral consultant, and renowned champion of contemporary choral composers. Warland is one of only two choral conductors (along with Robert Shaw) inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame."

Following that, Bro. Wilberg took us through some additional pieces in preparation for Sunday and then we ran through two pieces which we were going to sing at a mini-concert later that evening. In no time at all, the time to depart for that concert was upon us and we boarded the buses for a short ride up the street to the Grand American Hotel.

Audra McDonald

This mini-concert was a non-publicized event for the choir, but the event we were singing at was certainly no secret. Gail Miller, wife of the late Larry H. Miller, was honored at a banquet where she was given the "Giant in Our City" award by the Salt Lake City Chamber. The choir sang two numbers at the end of that banquet, beginning with "One Person" and ending with "Climb Every Mountain." The latter featured a soloist, Audra McDonald who did a pretty fantastic job. One choir member described her as having a "chocolatey mezzo voice" (thanks Alex) and I think that fit rather nicely. Again from Wikipedia: "Audra Ann McDonald (born July 3, 1970) is an American actress and singer. She has appeared on the stage in both musicals and dramas, such as Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, and Porgy and Bess. She maintains an active concert and recording career, performing song cycles and operas as well as performing in concert throughout the U.S. She has won six competitive Tony Awards, more than any other actor, and is the only person to win all four acting categories." I might add that Ms. McDonald joined the Tabernacle Choir back in 2004 as a guest soloist for the Christmas Concert.

Which brings us to today's Music & the Spoken Word broadcast. It was another inspiring event and the Tabernacle today was packed (Spring Break?). There are several pieces we sang today that touched me, but I wanted to highlight the one conducted by Mr. Warland called Pilgrim's Hymn. When we sang this song last Fall, it just so happened that the composer, Stephen Paulus, passed away on that very same day. (More on that, and the song, HERE) I find that rather remarkable. The second verse is my favorite:

Even with darkness sealing us in,
   We breathe Thy name,
And through all the days that follow so fast,
   We trust in Thee;
Endless Thy grace, O endless Thy grace,

   Beyond all mortal dream.
  
While lyrics can be interpreted numerous ways, for me, this says that even though we go through dark times that cause our faith to waver, we can trust in a loving Heavenly Father who's grace is unmatched. Who's grace enables us to not only get through the darkness, but to learn from it.

And with that my friends, the Choir now turns its attention to General Conference which will commence this coming weekend. We'll have some extra rehearsals this week to prepare for this inspiring event--and we even had one today right after the broadcast. It was great not only practicing the hymns, but it was really fun to have all of the new choir members join us as they will be singing at Conference as well. 

Wow...has it really been a year since I was in their shoes?
Yep.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #64 - What I See

{After I took my seat in the choir loft for Thursday's rehearsal and Sunday's rehearsal, I went on an observation and pondering spree...} 

I see choir members lining up to put names on the prayer roll. Each name has a story; each name is tied to a difficult trial. It's not my place to know them or know about them. Only to exert my faith in behalf of them. Do I do that?

I see choir members who have come early and who are sitting--some listening to the orchestra, some looking at music, and some who seem to be just thinking. I wonder what they think about. Are they feeling blessed to be there? Are they just glad to step out of their normal day and offer a prayer to God through the song in their heart?

I see people's faces pressed upon the observing window at the back of the Tabernacle. Are they just curious or are they that eager to come in and take a seat to listen, and to experience? Do some come in with heavy hearts and burdens that need to be lightened? Do they know that they are prayed for and that music will, indeed, lift their spirits? 

I see men of all ages who make up the stage crew and continually lift, reposition, arrange, assemble, and take apart. Is it "just another day at the job" for them? Do they know how grateful we are for them? Do they stop to think that their consecrated efforts really do matter in the grand scheme of this particular work of salvation?

I see our tireless conductors rehearse with the orchestra. How many hours they put into preparing, arranging, composing, listening, and reviewing (let alone conducting) I'll never know. What was their day like on this particular day? What personal struggles do they deal with that they have to set aside so that they can effectively fulfill the divine role they've been given while the whole world watches? What refining has taken place because of those struggles--refining that impacts and shapes the continual destiny of the choir?

I see those who are tasked with assigning seats to choir members and constantly make last minute seating decisions. Do they know the power they wield? Do they know that who we sit by affects all of us on a professional, social, and otherwise personal level? Do they know we're thankful for them?

I see the lights from up above and all around. Oh so many lights! Whose faces will they illuminate for the cameras today? Will those faces illuminate back the light of Christ? Will their countenances reflect their testimony of love? 

I see all of us as we stand, ready to sing. There are so many of us. We sing as a group made up of individuals who do their best. Do we remember that while our calling to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir carries with it prestige and honor, we recognize that strength for any person comes from humility and dependence on a Heavenly Father who loves all of His children? Do we remember to celebrate all of the people in the world who deploy their talents in the benefit of their fellow brothers and sisters?  I hope so.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #63 - Absence (A Special John Doe Interview)

Thanks for joining me for this little interview with choir member Bro. Ryan Pitt as we explore one of the realities of mortal life and singing in the choir. . .

Q: So you were marked absent for Thursday's rehearsal and Sunday's performance. What happened?
A: Well, as what happens to all choir members at one point or another, I was out sick.

Q: Sorry to hear that. Are you feeling better?
A: Thanks for asking! Yes, yes I am...Certainly on the uphill.

Q: Do you plan to get back on schedule this week?
A: Indeed, that is the plan. 

Q: I'm sure the choir missed you. What happens when choir members are out sick or otherwise are gone for whatever reason?
A: LOL. I'm not sure the choir missed me per se. There are over 400 of us. And one of the reasons there are that many is so that when people are out, the choir can still function and carry on in its mission. The reality though, is that even though you're not missed from a numbers perspective, you are missed because of the individual contribution you make to the whole. Your talent, your testimony, your preparation, your prayers for other choir members and those who listen each week--all of these things are important for the choir to achieve its mission.

Q: What is your attendance requirement anyway?
A: We're asked to be in attendance for at least 80% of the rehearsals and performances. Each section leader in the choir takes roll at the beginning of rehearsals and the results are handed in each time. Even being late is noted in the roll. Six tardies turn into one absence. That all said, our choir handbook says it best: "Choir leaders have indicated on numerous occasions that 100% attendance is not expected of anyone. There will be times when your family needs you or something else arises. Serve in your Choir calling with commitment, but always put first things first."

Q: If you're just not feeling quite up to par but still feel good enough to go to choir, what are your options?
A: You can go and sit in one of the designated places to observe the choir (and even sing too, if you feel up to it). Taking this option will give you attendance credit.

Q: Having not missed very many rehearsals or performances during the 15 months you've been in the choir, how did you feel this week?
A: Well, I felt a lot of things. Physically of course, I wasn't feeling well. Emotionally though, I was very sad not to be there. Singing with the choir has become an important part of my life and something I look forward to each week. I kept looking at my watch on Thursday night and this morning, thinking about what the choir was doing. In fact this morning, I happened to look at the clock right at 9:30 and I thought "Here they go! They are right in the middle of singing "Gently Raise the Sacred Strain" and will soon be getting into the prepared repertoire (with special guests, the BYU Singers)." So yeah...it was hard. But I did try to take advantage of my time away by getting my health back and helping with the family when I could. AND, as you probably know, you really appreciate something a lot more when you suddenly don't have it. 

Q: So DID anyone notice (aside from the roll taker) that you were gone?
A: I'm sure some did. A couple of my fellow bass friends even texted to say they missed me and to give their "Get well soon!" well-wishes. So I really appreciated that. It always feels good to know you're missed!

Q: Thanks for this little interview Bro. Pitt. It's been insightful. Any parting words before we end?
A: Thanks Bro. John Doe. I don't think so, other than God be with you 'till we meet again!