MTC Week #60 - Mimicking the Starlings

For me, one of the most interesting birds to watch is the Starling. When they fly together, they are a spectacle of precision and grace. As one author noted, the Starlings "often fly at speeds of 40 miles or more per hour, and in a dense group, the space between them may be only a bit more than their body length. Yet they can make astonishingly sharp turns that appear, to the unaided eye, to be conducted entirely in unison."

The author goes on to reveal how they can fly so close together and with such precision:  "What’s really nifty about this spatial asymmetry is that the researchers have been able to use it to calculate the number of neighbors to which each starling pays close attention. By looking at correlations between the movements of neighboring starlings, they can show that each bird always pays attention to the same number of neighbors, whether they’re closer or farther away." (Peter Friederici; audubon.org)

As these birds work together in such unison, they are able to avoid predators and enjoy other benefits that come through working as a group. In essence, they succeed because they rely on each other, protect one another, and trust one another.  

(And the patterns they make in the sky as a result are really quite magnificent)

Many of these starling characteristics can be applied to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We really do rely on each other to be successful singers. Just as the starlings, we pay very close attention to those all around us (and especially to those in close proximity) and if we have a moment of memory failure, we are very quick to listen and adapt. During rehearsal, if there is some dispute what the note or word should be, we look to those around us who we can trust to settle the matter. During a live performance, if we come to a place in the music where we're not sure whether to move up or down in pitch, or aren't sure of a certain word that comes next, we take what we hear and in that split 10th of a second, make an adjustment if needs be. Yes, it would be great if we all knew our parts 100% of the time. And believe me, we try. But sometimes we're bound to have one of those moments of indecision and because of the trust we have in those around us, we're able to follow them and thus protect the overall sound of the choir.  

As we march into ACDA Concert week, I think the group mentality is that we are very excited. We've worked hard, spent countless hours memorizing, and we're ready to project great sounds and heartfelt testimony to those who will listen and participate. In going through a surprise run-through this past Thursday, it was magical (as it always is) to see how all the songs fit together. But it was also fulfilling to realize that yes, all that memorizing has paid off! 

What should the audience hope to get from these concerts?

As a fellow bass and friend, Ryan Bateman, put it:  "This concert will be unlike anything we've done before. It will be a transcendent musical journey for the soul." 

Amen.

And may I add, in reference to our friends, the starlings, the resulting "pattern in the sky" so to speak, will be magnificent!

Until next time, God be with you.