Happy new year, everyone!
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir got an early start to the new year as we began rehearsal at our normal time of 7:25 this morning. We had been given last Sunday off, since it was Christmas day, but apparently the choir powers-that-be thought it would be too generous to give us New Year's Day off, as well. Not that I'm complaining in the least, though! Having two weeks off (Dec 19th thru Dec 31) was a most welcome break and I'm grateful that I was able to spend that time with family and friends.
As you are certainly aware (given the recent news coverage), that two week break was, however, not completely devoid of choir happenings. Aside from the lovely evening we had at the Grand America Hotel eating dinner and visiting with one another (thank you Christmas Dinner Committee!), on December 22, choir members received an email announcing that we had been invited to sing at the Inauguration of President-elect Trump. We were informed that not all could attend (only about half), so if we were interested in having our name be considered in the random selection, we'd need to let the Choir presidency know.
I'm not sure anyone was quite prepared for the firestorm of protests that erupted from some choir members, church members, and non-church members alike. There were those of the opinion that the Choir shouldn't participate in the event, for a variety of reasons. I really, really, don't want to mention the "controversy" any further. One need only Google "mormon tabernacle choir news" and you can read articles and comments to those articles until the sun sets and rises again.
Therefore, setting aside the controversy aspect of this topic, I just want to say how grateful I feel to be part of the group going back to sing. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a missionary choir and we're asked to sing at many notable events from time to time (including having sung at several past inaugurations). The hope, as always, is that we can inspire, uplift, and bring hope and peace to those who listen. Could the people of this nation, going forward, use more inspiration, more hope, more peace? I certainly think so. And I thought of the scripture in Doctrine & Covenants which says "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."
And that is all I'd like to say about that. :)
After the broadcast today, we stayed a few minutes and rehearsed a few pieces that some of us will be singing at Gary Herbert's Inauguration on Wednesday. And from there, it was home to be with our families on this New Year's Day!
Until next time God be with you.
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