MTC Week #87 - I Scream, You Scream. . .

The Choir does not have a lot of socials throughout the year, mainly, I think, because there's always so much to do and so little time for such things. Aside from a dinner event during the Christmas season, I honestly can't think of any other social get-together. That is, except for Ice Cream Social--which we had Thursday night.

Because I missed the one last year, I was actually kind of looking forward to this event. A chance to mix and mingle, and have some yummy ice cream. What could be better? I envisioned a large, open area outside (maybe on top of the Conference Center) where we'd all congregate and either Choir Administrators or choir members from some committee scooping creamy ice cream from 5 gallon containers onto cones or into cups. 

However, I was a bit naive and unrealistic. I mean, really? Hello Ryan. Actually scooping ice cream for over 500 people? 

I realize that now.

Instead, we met on one of the top floors of the conference center--sort of off to one corner--and got to choose from a wide variety of ice cream novelties (ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches, and the like). 

In no way am I trying to sound ungrateful because let's face it. Free ice cream, in any form, is a treat from heaven. So thank you Choir administrators! It just didn't quite match my vision. Nor was the amount of happy, social noise quite my thing. 

An inspired friend suggested we return to the Tabernacle and leave the noise behind, which was a good suggestion. We wandered out the front doors and enjoyed some quiet and cool night air while conversing about this or that. During a few of those moments outside, I also felt grateful in my heart for the blessings of being in the Choir, for having good friends, and for being able to sing beautiful and inspiring music every week. 

A good ending to a brief, if not interesting, ice cream social experience.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #86 - Of Least and Most

Hills.

Back in my cross-country days, our coach would supplement our regular training (running on relatively flat ground) with "hill training", which, just as its name describes, involves running up hills. You can imagine this was not a lot of fun. In fact, I don't remember anyone begging the coach that we could do more of such training. It was hard! And not only that, for us new to the sport, we failed to grasp the reasoning behind doing it since most of the courses we'd be racing on would be fairly flat. In the end, we had to simply have faith that the coach knew what he was doing. We had to trust that the upward climbing would pay off.

Thursday night we rehearsed a particular piece which looked deceptively easy. We quickly came to learn, though, that it was not--on multiple levels. It was a slow piece. It didn't move much. It was prone to intonation (pitch) problems. It required us to really think before singing any of the notes. I can't speak for the whole choir, only for myself and some around me, but we really didn't love the piece and didn't like how much it was extracting from us! It was very much like climbing a hill.

Felix Mendelssohn -  Composer of one of the songs
we sang today "O Thou the True and Only Light"

At one point, Bro. Wilberg (amidst some loving frustration) told us that he knew it was a hard piece. "But it's a beautiful piece, and we're going to do it," he said. That caused me to reflect. Our wise and talented director was finding beauty in something I was not. Furthermore, he wanted us to do this piece not only because it was beautiful, but also (making an assumption here) because he knew we'd be a better choir by rehearsing it, working at it, and perfecting it. He knew it would pay off--not just for today when we performed it, but when we applied what we learned to rehearsing other songs in the future.

It was then I decided to not let the hill get the best of me. I tried looking for the beauty and began noticing how pretty the orchestration was and how great the lyrics were. In fact, the lyrics spoke of God having mercy on those who had lost their way and about Him working to get them back--certainly a theme we can all relate to in one degree or another.

While the piece will probably not rank anywhere near the top of my favorites, I'm glad for the lessons I learned: trust in your leaders; if something is hard, do it anyway because it will pay off; look for the good in everything; and know that something you may like the least, may, just possibly, turn out to benefit you the most in the long run.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #85 - Abide With Me

Alex Sharpe - Guest Artist on Music & the Spoken Word, 8/16/15

We were privileged to be able to sing, this morning, with guest artist Alex Sharpe. Alex is from Ireland and is most known for performing with Celtic Woman (an all-female Irish musical ensemble) from 2008 to 2010. Alex has performed in various musicals, has sung with numerous orchestras and ensembles, but the thing she loves most is singing hymns. 

And singing a hymn is exactly what she got to do today.

While I have enjoyed the hymn "Abide With Me," it has never been considered one of my favorites. However, the arrangement we were able to accompany Alex on today, was simply amazing. The choir acted as "heavenly background angels" and the piano accompaniment was so very pretty. Part of the arrangement included the familiar verses from Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..." and I think that was one of my favorite parts of the song. Words don't quite do justice to what I'm trying to describe, but I was really moved by this song today and was glad to revisit the lyrics to it.

Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens. Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!


I don't care who you are--you're going through something. Everyone is. Everyone is fighting a personal battle. And even though we sometimes get a small break from it (or rather, something good happens to offset the hardship temporarily), it still remains. And once it concludes, if it concludes, there's always another one to take its place.

But this song helps remind me that even when the darkness deepens and comforts flee, our Savior Jesus Christ is there to be with us. He's there to comfort us. Indeed, He's there to abide with us.

And that makes all the difference.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #84 - Farewell to Andrew

So aside from the once-a-year ceremony when choir members officially leave the choir, we have occasional off-cycle moments too, when choir members need to leave for various reasons. 

Today was one of those days for fellow bass, and friend, Andrew Walker. 

When his name was read by President Jarrett, Andrew stood and waved, which solicited clapping, but also some "boo's" from the bass section, simply because we didn't want him to leave. He's become a part of the choir family--part of the bass family--and there's a real emotional response when you realize that part of the family is leaving. 

The whole broadcast, I kept thinking how it must feel to be Andrew. How can you make your last singing experience with the choir all that you want it to be? That's a tall order--almost impossible. I remember my last concert with BYU's Concert Choir. I was determined to take as many mental and emotional snapshots as possible. I remember walking on the stage, where I was standing, looking at the audience, treasuring the songs, feeling an overwhelming sadness, but an equally overwhelming sensation of having been part of something great, something wonderful. 

Remembering that final experience of my own, I thought that maybe Andrew was having a similar experience. My heart was sad for him, but glad for him too. Glad that he had the opportunity to sit in a choir seat for as long as he did to make a wonderful contribution to the choir. His testimony was literally felt by hundreds of thousands. I hope he knows that, and I hope he knows how grateful we all are for his optimistic, insightful, and friendly nature. 

Farewell Andrew (B-100!). Until we see you again, may God be with you.

Andrew, from today's broadcast

A snapshot while on our recent tour

MTC Week #83 - Enjoying "Normal"

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a normal week in the Choir. But this past week was one of those--and I'm grateful. Grateful, in particular, for the songs we sang today on Music & the Spoken Word and being able to simply feel the Spirit as I sang them and pondered their words.

There are three songs today that touched me the most. 

The first was "When the Saints Go Marching In." This traditional American song, for me, captures the excitement of when Christ will come again and how those who have prepared themselves will rejoice in that experience. 

On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

I don't know when that "hallelujah day" will come, but I hope to be part of it and maybe, just maybe, be able to sing at that grand event (how cool would that be?!)

The second was called "My House" from the musical Peter Pan. I don't believe I

had ever heard this song before but it's incredibly beautiful. The lyrics can apply to not only each individual, but to the work parents do to build their families on a firm foundation of love, trust, faith, and truth. I'm grateful for my wife as she and I have tried hard to do just that. The journey isn't over and will never be over, but I'm so blessed to feel like our home and family is centered on these attributes and principles. And even though, like every family, we go through hard times and trials, we know we can get through them if we stay centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But build my house of love.
And paint my house with trusting.
And warm it with the warmth of your heart.

Make a floor of faith.
Make the walls of truth.
Put of roof of peace above.
Can you build my house of love.

The third was "Standing on the Promises" which has always been a favorite of mine ever since I first sang it a year or so ago. When things are tough and trials abound, you are desperate to feel God's love and to know in your heart that the promises God has given are true, they are real, and you can firmly stand on them. 




Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who always keeps His end of the bargain. And I'm grateful, again, to sing praises to Him every week. It is a deep abiding blessing, the height and width of which I have no words to describe.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #82 - Rumors, Speculation & a Surprise Announcement

So last Sunday, the Choir President asked all of us if we would please come to Thursday night's rehearsal 30 minutes early and meet in the Conference Center's Little Theater for a "special presentation." Following that invitation, we all sat there mulling over what he had just said and started formulating what this special presentation could be about. After rehearsal was over and we were free to talk with others, it was like someone had lit a match and threw it into a dry forest! Speculation was the flame that consumed everyone's thoughts and conversation. Was it an award the choir had won? Was someone in the administration leaving? Were we going to hear more about the influence we had had on others through our most recent tour? Or could it be an announcement concerning our next tour?

Of course that last speculative thought about an upcoming tour was the most exciting to everyone. But the timing seemed off. After all, we go on tour every two years, not every year, so 2016 was an offcycle tour year. Given that, why would they be announcing a tour destination so early?

Needless to say, the speculation and conversations continued throughout the week. Choir members talked about it and texted each other about it, and the spouses all chimed in with their two bits. Finally, Thursday arrived and we congregated in the Little Theater. TV cameras were there to film the event and after not too long, President Jarrett got up and was barely able to get out the announcement before the choir went crazy with excitement. We were headed to Europe for our next tour! And not only that, it was going to happen in 2016.

[You can see videos and official announcements HERE, HERE, and HERE.] 

President Thomas S Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had this to say: 

“Our goal is for the choir and its companion Orchestra at Temple Square to be a shining example of the musical arts to all the world. With the announcement of this European tour, I am delighted that these noted ensembles will have the opportunity to touch the hearts of people in multiple nations through their magnificent music,” added President Monson. “This tour will be an important step forward as the choir and orchestra continue to build bridges of friendship and understanding across the globe as ambassadors of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

To be truthful, I had mixed emotions about the announcement. Certainly, the

thought of going to various European countries to share hope and peace through music, made me smile! At the same time though, I knew how much my wife has been wanting to go to Europe, and I was concerned about the price tag attached to guests being able to come. And, I was concerned about being able

to take that much time off of work (15 working days) without it impacting the vacation days I'd have left to spend with my family. Many other friends in the choir had the same concerns. That said though, and like in all things related to this great work that the choir does, things will work out as they should. 

As you can imagine, (for many obvious and less-obvious reasons) going to rehearsal right after the announcement was made, was a bit difficult. Our minds were preoccupied with the thoughts of visiting Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. But the music we rehearsed and performed today was some great music, and I'm sure that those who got to hear us, were influenced for good. 

A baritone sitting next to me today quietly exclaimed, "Isn't it such a privilege to be here?"

"Yes," I thought to myself. "Yes it is."

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #81 - Pioneer Day Concert 2015 Review

Pioneer Day Concert: Music for a Summer Evening

There's nothing like coming back from a two-week tour, only to be thrust right back into extra rehearsals and concert preparations! The Choir just doesn't have much time to rest. After today, however (amazingly enough), we are back to just once-a-week rehearsals with no concerts on the immediate horizon. At least for the next couple of months :)

Laura Osnes singing "If I Loved You"

Thanks to the foresight and talents of Bro. Wilberg, the repertoire for the Pioneer Day Concert (a.k.a. "Music for a Summer Evening") was largely made up of pieces we already knew. Those new in the choir were at a disadvantage--but, they DID have the two weeks while the rest of us were on tour, to work hard on memorizing the songs. Additionally, we had teleprompters to assist us with the words. (NOTE: For me, the teleprompter is both a blessing and a curse. I think it's used, mainly, to assist the guest artist who joins us. But while it does show the words, if you lock your eyes on it for longer than a second or two--maybe to just get the first word of the next phrase--it sort of sucks you in, your brain goes on auto-pilot, and you forget what you're really singing about.)

Our guest artist, Laura Osnes, was incredible. She did a fantastic job on

The bass and baritones during
"Come, Come Ye Saints"

everything she sang. She was also very thankful and very complementary of not only the choir and orchestra, but of how the staff has taken care of her during her stay here. I must comment, too, that the dresses she wore were a great mix of fashionable and modest. Which is a combination rarely seen in the world at large these days. Overall, I was very impressed. As we sang "God Be With You" to her today (along with her husband who joined her on stage), after Music & The Spoken Word had concluded, she put her hands to her chest and just cried. I think she'll look back at this opportunity with nothing but good feelings and happy smiles.

Anyhow, the concert itself was fun. The songs were upbeat and of the "lighter" variety and it seemed like the audience really enjoyed them. They certainly loved Laura, who got a standing ovation for "Climb Every

Rick Elliott playing his creative version of
"Give My Regards to Broadway"

Mountain," and loud applause anytime she concluded other numbers she sang. They also loved Rick Elliott's organ number--which was no surprise since he always comes up with arrangements that wow all of us. 

If you happened to miss all of the fun, you can find the concert, in its entirety, on YouTube, HERE. 

One last thing I want to say. It's becoming alarmingly easier to take this experience I'm having, for granted. And I don't want that ever to happen! I want that magic to stay right where it is.  Regarding that point, I talked very briefly to a new choir member, after the concert. I just asked "So how did it go?" Grinning from ear to ear, he said, enthusiastically, that he had loved it. "Even though it was a bit nerve-wracking," he added. His words, his facial expression, his whole demeanor caused me to reflect. It's true you don't have to be nervous or overly enthusiastic to have a great concert experience. But on the flip side, you don't want to walk on stage completely calm and non-emotional, either. The ideal is probably right in the middle. I think some of that enthusiasm and excitement comes from continually working to be humble and thankful--to look at each concert as an opportunity and responsibility. Being a musical missionary is not just walking on stage and participating in a concert. It's actively sharing your testimony while you sing; it's noticing people in the audience; it's saying a prayer for them before you sing, and while you sing, that they might feel, something. And then it's thanking God afterwards for the marvelous opportunity and looking forward to the next one. Even if you're tired from a two week tour and all the preparation that went on before it.

And that's exactly what I plan to do, and keep doing.

Until next time, God be with you.