MTC Week #54 - The New Recruits

On my way to get my music folders for Thursday night's rehearsal, who should be coming down the same hallway but several of the new recruits (a.k.a. new volunteers, choir school & chorale members, newbies, greenies, freshmen, or any other fitting 1st year labels). They were on their official tour of the tabernacle at it's endless maze of subterranean hallways as part of their first night at Choir School. I just smiled at all of them, thinking back to a year ago when it was me on that tour--nervous, excited, humbled, and in awe. 

I reflected on this new group, again, as I was singing on the Music & the Spoken Word broadcast. They were all perched up in the balcony seats observing the choir taking mental notes of how we looked, how we sang, how Bro. Wilberg conducted, and how we sounded. And I suspect at least a few of them sat there looking on, thinking "Am I really here? Am I really going to sing with that choir in a few months? Am I good enough? Can this really be happening?"

Happening it is, my new friends! And I look forward to meeting the 43 of you this coming Tuesday as us "2nd years" join you for chorale and what promises to be an incredibly fun time with Ryan Murphy as the chorale director. 

So, amidst all of the incredible songs we both performed and rehearsed today which I could probably write pages and pages about (thankfully for you, I won't), I just found myself measuring my excitement and thankfulness levels compared to a year ago. And honestly, although there are those times when rehearsals seem to drag on a bit or patience is tested when certain sections can't seem to get their parts, or we hear for the upteenth time how we need to sing more in pitch with high vowels, I'm still extremely excited to be a part of this great organization. I hope all choir members, whether they've been in for one year or 15, take the time to capture the excitement all over again and simply feel the wonder of it all. As a fellow friend and choir member put it, "I try to remind myself how blessed/lucky I am to be [here]. I think of the thousands of people who come to hear us and how truly unique/special/famous the choir is and the number of people who would do anything to have my seat. It's really been one of the richest blessings of my life."


Until next time, God be with you.