MTC Week #91 - Of Flexibility and 1994

So with the passing of Elder Richard G. Scott this past week, the choir, orchestra, and organists had some rearranging to do. All the songs we were going to sing today, were changed, and we held rehearsal and the broadcast in the Conference Center instead of the Tabernacle -- since the latter was being made ready for Elder Scott's funeral. 

The reason all the songs were changed is because there was no room for the orchestra in the Conference Center. Which may sound funny if you realize how big the Conference Center is. But the stage itself was being setup for General Conference this coming weekend and thus the orchestra was left without any space to accompany the choir. 

Our wonderful organists were thus called upon to learn (or brush up on) the replacement pieces we did today and they, of course, did an excellent job. 

I just marvel sometimes, at how flexible this rather large organization, is. But it helps when you have a good attitude and when there are people all around you who are adjusting and adapting to the new plan. 

Life, itself, can suddenly change your plans without a moment's notice.

We are sometimes like a currant bush that
needs some pruning by someone
who loves us and sees the big picture.

Sometimes that's not very easy to adapt to. It gives way to complaining, bemoaning, and being upset. But if we accept the new plan, recognizing that God is overseeing it, we will most likely come to know (at some future time) why the course correction came about. And I'm sure we'll thank God at that moment that He did what He did, because it helped us reach our eternal goals.

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Aside from the changes this week, I did want to comment on one of the songs we sang today. It was called "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need." It's one of my favorites and takes me back to 1994, when the BYU Concert Choir first recorded that song and performed it to an audience at the Harris Fine Arts Center. I remember being so grateful to have been there for its debut. 

There are two phrases that I love the most:

He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy's sake,

In paths of truth and grace.

There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,

But like a child at home.

The first phrase reminds me of a phrase from Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, when we're reminded that all of us are "prone to leave the God [we] love." We all have times when we wander, when we leave God (if only for a few minutes, or an hour, or a day). But He wants us back and will give us opportunities to come back to Him. 

The second phrase is for all of us who simply long for a rest. A rest from the worries and cares of our busy lives and the cares of the world. Not only can we find such a rest as we come unto Christ, but we can have that rest be in a safe place. A place of love and security. A place that feels like home. A place where we can feel like a child who is receiving love and instruction from Heavenly parents.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #90 - Odds & Ends

Today's post will be a bit random--just for the fun of it. While the broadcast today was as good as they come, and while I could easily write about it, I thought a change in pace might be in order.

$ There hasn't been much new news about next year's European tour, other

than choir members continue to be excited about it. Many who I personally associate with in the choir have been wondering for many weeks, the final cost

on bringing a spouse along. The original cost was estimated at $5000. It's now estimated at $6500, but we're still awaiting final numbers.

@ Finishing touches and final recording sessions are being done for the forthcoming "The Messiah" CD which will be released next Spring. Bro. Wilberg was recently in Zurich, helping with the recording of one of the soloist's who'll be featured on the CD. These soloists have been grateful for the opportunity and grateful for the guidance and constructive comments offered during the recording process.

! Today on the broadcast, the men wore the extremely rare WHITE suit coat (with a black bow tie). I've been in the choir for only a couple of years now, but during that time, I haven't worn it once. Why did we wear it today? No one seemed to know. But as we often say in the choir, everything is done for a reason.

# The upcoming Christmas Concert was postponed a week for "scheduling and logistics" reasons. Perhaps this has to do with our guest artist's schedule. Who knows. And we don't even know yet who the guest artist is... Speaking of guest artists and Christmas Concerts, last year's Christmas Concert "Keep Christmas With You" featuring Santino Fontana and the Sesame Street Muppets, will be on sale soon. You can pre-order your DVD now, via Amazon. (Why there isn't a bluray version is concerning, but I have no answers on that)

% The media dept released this week, a collage of choir members singing

"America, the Beautiful" at various locations while on tour this last summer. It's a fun little video. You can see yours truly at :39. :)

^ Tryouts to be in the Tabernacle Choir this year occurred as usual. According to memory, there were about 260 who tried out and that try-out process is still occurring. Good luck to all those who are going through the very challenging process!

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #89 - The Ants Go Marching One by One. . .

I don't necessarily care for ants. Like all creatures, I'm sure there's a reason God created them--though I really don't know what that is. Despite not liking them, there ARE characteristics I admire about them. 

One of those is their enormous strength. 

Scientists have long stated and observed that ants can carry over 100 times their weight. 100 times! That would be like me carrying something that weighed 17,500 lbs. Impossible. But somehow, that ants do it. Some studies even suggest that certain species can lift up to 1000 times their weight (while their neck joints can withstand pressures up to 5,000 times greater than their body weight). However you slice and dice it, ants are very heavy lifters. 

Thursday night, our beloved conductor, Mack Wilberg, gave us a little talk about the topic of "heavy lifting." This was very timely, because in addition to preparing for our normal weekly broadcasts, the upcoming world-wide conference, and the annual Christmas Concert, we're starting work on a piece by Mahler (I don't even know what's it called, only that it's something like 80 pages and that we've been divided into two choir entities to cover the eight parts--which, incidentally, sometimes divide into more parts!). 

The temptation, Mack said, is there will be some of us who may not be excited about such a piece because of the work involved in learning it. There may be some of us who want to excuse ourselves from the concert that we'll be performing this piece at, not only because it's hard work learning the piece, but because it's taking 16 extra rehearsals to get it ready. 

He invited us not to give into that temptation. "Each of us need to do the heavy lifting," he said. 

And, indeed, we do. 

Along with ants being heavy lifters, they are also experts in team work. They each do their part to support their colony. Likewise, the team work mentality is an important part of this choir so that we can be successful in our mission. As we each do the heavy lifting, even in times when we're out of the glamour and spotlight, this piece by Mahler will sound extraordinary. And I suspect we'll learn a thing or two more about teamwork and becoming better musicians overall.

Choir members: let's lift!

Until next time, God be with you!

MTC Week #88 - Just Grateful

This morning's broadcast was just one of those that caused me to feel really grateful. 

I'm grateful that by climbing every mountain in my life, I can more effectively follow and achieve my dreams.

I'm grateful that God has, and continues to, help me choose the right road to take when two of them diverge and it's momentarily challenging to know

which one to pick. Choosing the right ones have, indeed, made all the difference.

I'm grateful that Jesus Christ is our song during the nights of both my life, and the lives of those I love. He may not take those nights away, either as quickly as I'd like or, at all, but He helps me, and all of His children, through them.

I'm grateful for what I learn when I run my race with

patience. Agreeing to God's timing helps me when the prize of peace and light.

And I'm grateful that despite all of the evil and heartache, tragedy and travail in this life, God's almighty hand continues to perform miracles and directs His most important work: the happiness of men, women, and children everywhere.

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One last thing: today was the last day for a friend, Brad Myler, who I got to know several years ago. What a great guy. Good luck Brad in all of your future endeavors! The basses (and your choir family) will miss you. And farewell to Spence Kinard as well. His 30+ years in participating in the Music & Spoken Word broadcasts is incredible. May he enjoy the next phase in his life and feel our gratitude for his devoted service.

Until next time, God be with you.