Truth be told, I took the week off from my choir duties and in place of Thursday night's rehearsal, I attended my wife's annual dance concert instead. Four years ago, she started up her own studio and has been teaching various modern/creative dance classes for girls ages 5 to 16. The concert marked the close of that studio and I definitely wanted to see her choreographical genius come to life on the stage once again. It was a great event and was glad I was able to go. (And glad that the attendance policies of the Choir allow for such things).
Since missing Thursday's rehearsal means not being able to sing on the Sunday morning broadcast (though you can get attendance credit if you go and observe), I went to Stake Conference with my family this morning which was a nice change of pace. I did look at the clock from time to time thinking of the broadcast and of course, a part of me missed being there. But missing it will only make me appreciate it more this coming Thursday!
On Friday night, a few of us "2nd-year" choir members gathered at Village Inn in Salt Lake for an anniversary dinner. Exactly one year ago, on May 1st, we received letters from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcoming us into the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. So, we took some time to mark the occasion and while there weren't a lot who showed up, those who did had a good time.
Given I've been in the Choir for one year now, I wanted to write about five things I've learned during that time. I think it's always good to occasionally stop and think about the experiences God has been giving you and learn from them if you can. After all, if He is so anxious to have you return to Him (and He is), then the things you go through are all for a very important reason to achieve that end.
1. Miracles happen. I feel emotional just stating those two words. I deem it a miracle I made it into the Choir at all; a miracle I get to sing with such talented individuals; a miracle that I'm able to memorize so much music; and a miracle that I've been able to befriend some individuals that I have. Miracles happen regularly in the Choir and I'm grateful to see them and recognize them.
2. Excellent & inspiring performances are a result of hard work. This really shouldn't come as a surprise since most great things in life take a lot of hard work. But I don't think I realized just how much work being in the Choir would be. Putting your whole heart into learning the music, remembering the technical aspects of singing well, striving for unity while listening to those around you, focusing on they grand messages of the lyrics themselves, and being spiritually prepared each week takes a lot time and energy.
3. The work of salvation is enhanced and impacted by the music we share with the world. I've known this truth for a long time and I've been blessed to see it first hand on both a small and grand scale. From singing the hymns in my congregation and ward choir to performing at the Hill Cumorah Pageant and at Nauvoo. The end result is the same: increased peace and love. Being in the Choir has brought this truth to a new level and I'm grateful to be a part of it. Hearing letters and emails shared by the Choir presidency of people who have been impacted by the choir, and looking into the faces of those who come watch us each week, I know the Choir is a very important part of God's work.
4. Choir members are just regular people too. I kind of have to laugh at this one because before getting into the Choir, I thought that most of the members were musical geniuses and had lots of performing experience and musical training. Are there some like that in the Choir? Sure. But the majority don't fit that mold. They come from all walks of life, have regular trials and tribulations like everyone else, and have outside-of-choir/non-musical lives they are living. It's a testament to me that the Lord can take a diverse group of individuals and unify them under one umbrella. When we all focus on the common goal of the Choir, marvelous things happen.
5. There's a scripture in the Book of Mormon that says "render to every man according to that which is his due." There are so many people who make the Mormon Tabernacle Choir successful in fulfilling its mission. The stage crew, the production managers, the audio/video team, the directors, the choir presidency and secretaries, the wardrobe committee, the music librarians, the ushers, the Orchestra, and probably 10 other groups of people. It's all just amazing. As Elder Ballard mentioned in one of his conference talks: "It is estimated that to produce just one pound of honey, the average hive of 20,000 to 60,000 bees must collectively visit millions of flowers and travel the equivalent of two times around the world. Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon." So it is with so many people who work behind the scenes and with the choir members themselves. Each works hard individually, and the end product is truly sweet.
Until next time, God be with you.
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