MTC #169 - Tribute to June

I'm very grateful for the songs we were able to sing yesterday as they helped bring strength and comfort following a very sad event that happened to my brother Hyrum, his wife Jenna, and their two boys, Will and Sam. We were informed Friday that Jenna's pregnancy had ended after only six months. Little June Kathleen Pitt was delivered stillborn, leaving behind a sad family that was so eager to bring her home and shower her will all the love and happiness inside them. Instead, June went straight back to her loving Heavenly Father and Mother who had other plans for her. 

The good news, is that Hyrum and Jenna can do just what we sang about yesterday. Typically when the Choir sings this favorite song of mine, I think about my own life and what the words mean to me. But yesterday, as we sang "Standing on the Promises", I thought of my brother and his wife and how they are, with faith, standing on the promise that June isn't really lost to them. She's a part of their eternal family. And they'll get to see her and love her and raise her one day. 

One of the other songs "I Will Follow God's Plan for Me" made me think about trusting God and holding fast to His word and His love--how times of grief and unanswerable questions can be overcome by faith in God's plan. 

Another of the songs, "The Ground" is one that the composer wrote for a work entitled "Sunrise Mass". From his words: "it’s called The Ground because I wanted to convey a sense of having ‘arrived’ at the end of the Mass; to have reached a kind of peace and grounded strength, after the long journey of the Mass, having gone through so many different emotional landscapes." I couldn't help but think of the emotional journey that those who have lost one ones have to go through, and how they can arrive at a peace and grounded strength as they rely upon God for strength. 

The last song we sang was a fitting tribute to June and her family. "May the Good Lord Bless You and Keep You" has these words:

May the good Lord bless and keep you whether near or far away
May you find that long awaited golden day today
May your troubles all be small ones and your fortunes ten times ten
May the good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again

I'm sure that Mack and Ryan had no idea how perfectly these songs would fit together for a family who was grieving this weekend. But I'm thankful they were inspired to add them to the program, and I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers, and brings comfort and peace in a variety of ways--including inspired music.

Until next time, God be with you.



 

MTC #168 - Home

Usually about once a year, the BYU Singers join us for Music & the Spoken Word--and today happened to be that day. We were grateful to have them, and delighted in the opportunity to hear their beautiful voices. We were also grateful

to be directed by Dr. Andrew Crane for one of the songs on the program. Dr. Crane is the director of the BYU Singers and has also performed with the Choir on occasion. I thought it was fascinating to see him come to the podium and start rehearsing the song--giving necessary feedback, correction, and compliments, just as Mack Wilberg would--appearing to be perfectly comfortable and completely in his element. I suppose that it what talent, experience, and confidence will do for you! I wouldn't fault a guest conductor for being just a little bit nervous in directing over 400 singers, but with Dr. Crane, it wasn't even an issue. 

Impressive.

As an aside, a friend of mine mentioned how seeing the BYU Singers took him back to his college years. And I had to agree. Along with all of the wonderful memories of singing at BYU, however, came the fact that I'm in my 40s are am not in that time of life anymore. I used to go back to campus periodically, not too long after I graduated, and felt like I still fit right in. But that definitely is not the case any longer. Those years were filled with ups and downs and have their place in my personal history. And the memories of singing were some of my best memories. But that time was then, and now is now, and I'm glad that now is now. :)

From my BYU days. These were two fellow friends & basses

My favorite song on the broadcast today was called "Softly and Tenderly"--a song that talks a lot about HOME. The song's chorus says

Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!


I think we can all relate to how good it feels to come home after a long, hard day. Or maybe we've been away on a trip or visiting family or involved in some other event, and at some point we just long to be home again. My favorite times are when my wife and I get to have all of our kids home at one time,

enjoying each others' company and participating in conversation and shared experiences. The same feelings come about when I allow my Savior to be a part of my life. I come home to Him through doing things he's asked me to do. I come home by being the type of person He wants me to be. Coming home to appreciate his sacrifice and live his teachings allow me to feel peace. And I'm grateful for that. 

After the broadcast ended today, we had some surprise visitors (and former guest artists) come to the stage and say hello to us. John Rhys-Davies said a few words (he's in town for Comic Con I think) and David Archuleta also said a few words. Both were very kind in expressing how much they love the choir and the warmth they feel when they hear us sing. It was good to see them and to hear their words. 

Until next time, God be with you. 

BYU Singers from today's broadcast

 

MTC #167 - Variety

While rehearsing for the broadcast this morning, a friend leaned over to me and asked "Do you have a favorite [song] today?" I stopped to think about which of the five pieces we were singing was my favorite, and I had to conclude that I really didn't like any one of them more than the other. All of them were good songs with good messages and unique styles. A German hymn tune which reminded me of Christmas, a sweet love song from the movie BAMBI, a baroque piece by Bach, a spiritual about trials (featuring Alex Boye) and a spiritual about forsaking war and doing significant spiritual things "down by the riverside." It doesn't get much more diverse than that. 

It got me thinking about the variety of people and experiences I get to enjoy in my life and how God intended for us to be impacted and influenced by this variety. Each person in our lives has a part to play, big or small, in how we learn and grow. Each experience brings opportunities for growth as well, and gives us perspective and hope. I'm thankful for a Heavenly Father who provides all of these experiences and relationships and grateful for a divine learning process that, while not always understood or agreed with, is exactly what I need. 

Until next time, God be with you.

Singing Down by the Riverside

MTC #166 - Tasting the Fruits

I'm grateful that death is not the end of our journey, but it's sure sad to hear about those leaving this mortal life. This past week, I read about the small plane accident claiming the lives of a father and his two children (leaving behind a pregnant wife); I heard from a friend of the passing of his father; and then I heard from another friend of the passing of his friend, 44, from a battle with cancer. 

At choir today, there were two little things that stood out to me in relation to making the best of our time here on earth. One was something Mack said during rehearsal. There was a section of the orchestra that had a few moments to shine and he said something to the effect of "You better take advantage of these four measures as you don't have moments like these very often." Then, during one of the songs we were singing by John Rutter ("Look to the Day"), one of the phrases stood out to me: "Taking the time to enjoy each moment, tasting the fruits spread along your way."

Life is short and we never know, exactly, what's in store for us tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. So as I thought about all of the deaths recently, I was grateful for my life. Grateful the I was able to enjoy this day--singing, being with family and friends, feeling the warmth of the sun, and the breeze on my face. Each day seems like it's so full of ups and downs, trials and small joys. But I hope I can take the four measures allotted unto me and make the best of them. There are lots of moments to be enjoyed and people to love. 

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #165 - Take My Heart

I never remember how much I miss choir, until I miss it. Two Thursdays ago, while the Choir was holding their regular rehearsal, I was driving down to St. George for my daughter's soccer tournament in Mesquite. And then during last week's broadcast Sunday morning, I was making French Toast for my daughter and the family we were staying with (while they all watched the broadcast on TV). As I listened to the singing, I felt grateful for music, and grateful for my weekly singing opportunities. 

Incidentally, one of the questions I get the most from people regarding my being a member of the Choir, is "How does time off from the Choir work? Can you take time off, and if so, how much?"

In answering that question, you need to know that there are more people in the choir than there are seats to fill them. I don't know what the current count is, but I THINK it's a little over 400. This is so that time off can more easily be accommodated without it impacting the choir's sound or the choir's sizable look. Take today, for example. As I looked at the balcony near the men's side and the women's side of the choir, there were about 40 choir members "sitting out". Either they didn't feel quite up to singing today for whatever reason, or, they had missed Thursday's rehearsal--making them ineligible to sing on the Sunday morning broadcast. Add to that others who were on trips or out sick, and we may have had 50 or 60 absent today. As mentioned though, the choir's overall large size can accommodate these absences.

As for how often we can miss, that all sort of depends. We are asked to have, at the very minimum, an 80% attendance record. Attendance it taken at every rehearsal, every extra rehearsal, and every broadcast or concert event. However, most choir members strive for much higher--simply because they love their opportunity to sing! Also, though, when it comes to going on tour every other year, attendance is a big factor on being able to go. The logistics of going on a tour typically make it impossible for all choir members to be included. So those who have highest attendance are given priority. 

At any rate, I'm grateful that we can miss choir from time to time so that we can attend and support family events and other "life activities". But I'm always very eager to return.

Singing "Come Thou Fount" today

Today on the broadcast we sang one of my favorite hymns arranged by Mack Wilberg--a song that many, many people have come to love: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. There's just something about it that brings my emotions to the surface and causes me to really want to be better in all aspects of my life. The words just resonate:  I AM prone to wander; at times I DO leave the God I love; I am in debt, and I do rely upon God's grace. Hither by His help have I come this far in life and I count on that help each day. By the last verse of the song, when the orchestra is so full and glorious, and all the choir members are singing from their heart, I want nothing more than for God to take my heart and seal it up. And the whole time I'm hoping that the listeners are feeling the same way. 

Just like I hoped they did today.

Until next time, God be with you.

 

MTC #163 - RootsTech

So every year, various companies that support and facilitate family history, put on a global conference event "where people of all ages learn to discover, share and celebrate their family connections across generations through technology." This event is called RootsTech. This year, the event planners invited the Tabernacle Choir to participate, by having them showcase songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein in an evening concert titled "It Runs in the Family." Oscar "Andy" Hammerstein III hosted, and sprinkled throughout the concert was dialogue and video telling the history of the Hammerstein family--and even a video highlighting members of the choir who have had siblings, parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents sing in the choir before and/or with them. [See a short summary video and some pictures, HERE]

To be completely honest, in the days leading up to the concert, I just wasn't feeling very thrilled to participate. It had nothing to do with the event itself, it was just lots of things happening on the home front, and life in general had my attentions turned elsewhere. In addition, the songs we were to perform were ones that we sing very often during broadcasts or other concerts throughout the year. 

That said, when I arrived Thursday night out of breath (traffic issues caused delays in getting there in time), I had a little "attitude readjustment" session within myself, and remembered some important things. First, how great I think family history work is, and how important it is to locate information on ancestors and learn their stories. Second, that music is an important part of my current family and the families I come from.  And third, that I had an opportunity to help do some good--to both entertain and uplift by singing some songs that have certainly endured the test of time.

Remembering all of those things, the concert turned out to be a beautiful event. I think my favorite part was when guest artist Dallyn Vail Bayles sang two solo numbers--just him accompanied by the piano. I love Dallyn's voice and the gentleman on the piano was amazing. I was all smiles. 

I'm grateful for family history. I'm thankful that families can be together, forever. And I'm thankful for the musical tapestry that runs through my ancestry. 

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #162 - All Eyes on You

During rehearsal on Thursday, I scanned the audience as I normally do, just to notice who had come to watch and listen. About half-way through the evening, I looked out again and noticed a man who was obviously a big fan of the Choir. I could tell this because of three things strapped to his neck: two cameras and

some binoculars. It was this latter item he was holding up to his eyes at the moment I spotted him, and it was then that I thought: "gosh, what have I been doing for the past 5-10 minutes while he's been scanning the choir?" Yes, I had been singing, of course, but during those moments when I was sitting and listening to other sections going over their parts, did I look engaged? Had I been nodding off a bit? Did my outward appearance and facial expressions testify to the fact that I was thrilled to be there?

The same thought came to me this morning at the broadcast as a couple of the guys behind me mentioned this particular gentleman in the balcony closest to the choir who had his electronic device out recording the rehearsal, the broadcast, and everything in between! In fact, after the broadcast was over and most people had left his section, an usher had to come over and lovingly tell him it was time to go-- with the camera still in his outstretched hand. Only then did his device go down, but only after handing it over to the usher for him to take his picture. :)

It got me thinking about the fact that someone is always watching us (not just the Choir, ALL of us). Whether it's our Father in Heaven, or someone else when you're out in public, we're on display. Our actions, our countenance, our words, and our demeanor are being consciously or unconsciously reviewed. It's true that we shouldn't obsess over what other people think of us. But I believe it's important to remember to be our best selves at all times. After all, why wouldn't we strive for that?

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In other choir news, we get to sing a concert as part of the Roots Tech conference, this coming Thursday evening. It's all Rodgers and Hammerstein music and I'm sure it'll be a fun show. Also, today we finished up some recording for an upcoming CD to be released in the near future. I'm sure a public announcement on that will be coming out soon.

Until next time, God be with you.