MTC Week #111 - Of Virtual Choirs, Houses, and Thierry

An interesting morning with the Choir, to be sure. 

As I wasn't at the Thursday rehearsal, I had to be content observing the choir's performance from the side balcony benches. I'll admit, it's hard to just watch. I know some choir members who don't think twice about it--they are actually grateful to take a break and enjoy just sitting and listening. But honestly, I'd much rather be singing. It kills me to be "benched." 

Sitting there, waiting for rehearsal to begin, a good friend came over to say

hello and talk a bit, which I was grateful for. Then, about 20 minutes into rehearsal, Dave Gheris (the seating manager) came over and pointed to five of us and motioned us to come over. He then said to go down, get into our tuxes, and go to the horseshoe (a practice room underneath the Tabernacle). 

As I proceeded to go downstairs with the others, I asked the others what this was all about--thinking maybe, just maybe, they knew something I didn't. But no one knew a thing. Are they going to have us sing something? Are we going on a field trip? Is there a new meet-and-greet-the-audience program that I missed hearing about? I couldn't for the life of me figure it out. 

Once there, we were finally told what was going on. 

Bonneville Communications has organized this "World's Largest Virtual Hallelujah Chorus" project (to promote our upcoming Handel's Messiah concert)

in which people from all over the world can submit a video of themselves singing the Hallelujah chorus (in whatever part they sing). They will then be digitally placed into the choir as they sing the chorus. See more details HERE. 

Anyway, as part of that, the few of us choir members who had congregated in the horseshoe (women included) were asked to stand in front of some cameras and get our picture taken in various facial poses. They will then take those photos and insert us into the choir video shoot happening next week--which is all part of this virtual chorus project. I'm not entirely sure where, exactly, we'll appear in the final project. But when the whole thing is complete, the video will be posted for all to see. 

Out of my tuxedo and back to the benches, I observed the choir singing various patriotic numbers in honor of Presidents Day. I think my favorite number was "This House I Live In" by Earl Robinson. It asks the question "What's America to me?"  It got me thinking of what America means to me. And I appreciated the opportunity to think about that question. Especially during a year of such heated politics.

After the broadcast, we spent the next two hours rehearsing Mahler's 8th, but

this time, with the actual conductor who will be conducting the concert--Thierry Fischer. It always takes time getting used to a different conductor, but Thierry knew what he was doing, of course, and made some suggestions along the way that seemed to resonate with all of us. At the end of rehearsal, he was very complimentary and said that he couldn't wait for next time. 

And speaking of next time, this coming week is one of THOSE weeks where we get to be at the Tabernacle every night. Both for rehearsals and then for the actual concerts Friday and Saturday. As with all performances though, it'll be fun to see it all come together. 

Will I miss the Mahler rehearsals though?

No, probably not. :)

Until next time, may God be with you.