Journey Behind the Notes: MTC Week #103 - Christmas Concert Review Top Ten!

What an incredible week! And what an incredible Christmas Concert that I was so happy to be a part of! Last year's Christmas Concert was really unique, and fun, and of the warm-fuzzy variety (Santino Fontana & the Muppets). But this year's concert was much more Christ-centered and spoke to the true meaning of Christmas on so many different and important levels.

Here is what I loved, specifically, about the concert this year:

10) I loved the set, the lighting, all the Christmas trees and other decor that helped give the concert its look and feel. I would say that I loved all the fog, too (which was a prominent part of this year's concert), but while it probably enhanced the concert, it wasn't too much fun to breathe! We basses, who were on the very edge of the wall, seemed to get a particularly large dose of the fog.

At any rate, thanks to those who put in countless hours in creating the set.

9) I loved the costumes. As we would go to rehearsal for the past couple of weeks, we'd pass lots of tables of sewing machines, not to mention racks and racks of costumes, wigs, head decorations, etc. I have no idea all the time it took to outfit the guest artists and the dancers, but their monumental efforts are much appreciated.

8) I loved the dancers. They have a hard job trying to fit into tight spaces and narrow stages since most of the area we have to work with is filled up by choir members, orchestra, and guest artists. But they did a beautiful job sharing their talents and certainly enhanced the music and the overall choir experience.

7) I loved our guest artists. Broadway singer Laura Osnes, Metropolitan Opera Soloists Erin Morley—Soprano, Tamara Mumford—Mezzo-Soprano, Ben Bliss—Tenor, and Tyler Simpson—Bass. And then Martin Jarvis, acclaimed British screen and voice actor, was the narrator. They all brought such warmth and talent to this program. I was grateful to see them up close, to see their winks, their smiles, and to see their gratitude of being a part of the concert this year.

6) I loved hearing stories of "ticket miracles". The Choir members received 12 tickets each this year, and most likely gave most of those out to family members and friends. But I heard several stories of choir members having a couple of tickets left over and how they were able to bless the lives of complete strangers who had wanted so much to come to the program--but hadn't been able to get tickets. These stories were filled with reactions such as "Thank you!!", "You are an answer to my prayer!", "I was hoping to find someone with tickets to share." And there was even one lady who was so happy, she gave the choir member a big hug, right there in front of the ticket office.

5) I love the devotion of the stage crew. I've said this many times before, but all

of the behind the scenes people deserve such a huge round of applause. I can't imagine putting on a concert of this magnitude, only to have the audience send back no applause at the end. Hopefully though, as the audience was clapping these past three nights, they were thinking of, and being grateful for, this "invisible" group of talented individuals who make all of the magic possible.

4) I loved seeing the audience react to Rick Elliott's organ number. Standing ovation every night! What can I say? That guy has an amazing talent.

3) I loved visiting with other choir members. Spending a whole week with them would make some think that perhaps we'd grow weary of each other. Just the opposite. These types of things bring us together. And I appreciate the 1x1 time I had with a few, and the group time I had with many.

2) I loved, loved the songs we sang. Thanks to Mack Wilberg for selecting such wonderful music, and adding new arrangements this year that were grand and spirit-filled. My favorites were Farandole, Angels from the Realms of Glory, and, probably most of all, The Wexford Carol. I'm not sure where that carol has been hiding all of my life, but it's beautiful. I love everything about it. It's one of those songs where the notes and words and harmonies just fit together so naturally. I also was grateful for the part of the program that featured several works from Handel's Messiah. I had never heard the background of how The Messiah came to be, or how it impacted so many people at the time.

1) I love my Savior. I'm so grateful this concert was so focused on Him. He is the light of the world. And He makes it possible to feel happiness, to feel relief, to feel love, and to feel peace.

I want to end with saying how much I appreciate my wife and kids. Their devotion and commitment to making our family "work" while I serve in this calling (and particularly during this past week) is amazing. And I'm so grateful to them.

Until next time, God be with you!