MTC Week #117 - Messiah

It used to be that preparing for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert each year was the "biggest" event to prepare for, including a slew of extra rehearsals on Sundays and each night leading up to the concert. That may still be the case when it comes to sheer numbers of people involved to pull off such an event. However, members of the Choir have hardly known a Sunday without extra rehearsals ever since 2016 began! Performing Mahler's symphony took many post-Sunday broadcast rehearsals to prepare for, and such was the case for Handel's Messiah as well. So before I continue, I just want to express a very BIG thank you to all of the families of the choir members who have kept things going on the home front through extra rehearsal after rehearsal after rehearsal, this year.

After rehearsing Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week, the Choir and Orchestra were very excited to present Handel's Messiah! Thursday night, promptly at 7:25, President Jarrett came out on stage to welcome the audience and, among other things, remind them that the concert would be 2 1/2 hours in length. At 7:30, with the downbeat of Mack Wilberg's baton, the concert began. 

As I looked out into the audience each night, I couldn't help but wonder which

"category" they fell into. Were they there because they were big fans of Handel or the Messiah (or both)? Where they there just because they loved the well known "Hallelujah" chorus piece? Where they there just to support a loved one? Where they there because maybe they felt inspired to come--not knowing really why?

As the concert progressed, there was quite a bit of time for choir members to just sit and listen. And think. 

I thought about my testimony of Jesus Christ. I thought about the light and peace and hope He brings. I thought about the Gospel teachings and how those teachings, if adopted, make people better. And, of course, I thought about the different stages of Christ's life since the music itself takes you through those stages.  I also felt very blessed to be singing these pieces filled with so much emotion and truth.

At the end of each concert, the hall filled with an overwhelming amount of applause! Wow. I've heard some thunderous applause in my day, but this was

really something. It made me happy. Mainly because it meant that many of those in the audience had connected with the music and they had been moved. Moved in a positive and loving direction. 
Some reactions I heard in the days after:

"It was stunning--so moving."
"Even after 2 1/2 hours, I didn't want it to end."
"I was blown away. It was such a spiritual experience."
"Truly amazing." 

This morning, Easter morning, the entire Music & the Spoken Word broadcast featured works from the Messiah. All I have to say about that, is, what could be better than singing songs from the Messiah on Easter? What a privilege. I was grateful.

He lives! Christ loves you. He loves me. He's made it possible to be happy in this life, and live with Him in the next.

Until next time, God be with you.