MTC #204 - Into Christmas We Go!

I got to rehearsal Tuesday night and while sitting there waiting for it to begin, I suddenly realized that something was different. I looked around, and it quickly became evident what that "something" was: Christmas decorations! Boughs of pine lined the banisters and drooped from the balcony, interwoven with lots of miniature lights. Other decor had also been hung to symbolize the season and bring a festive spirit into the Tabernacle. Later in the week, Temple Square flipped the switch and millions of lights brightened up the night, symbolizing how Christ is the light of the world. And, on a personal note, my family and I decorated our house yesterday with our traditional variety of Christmas items, including a nativity set, stockings, miniature lighted trees, and the "main" Christmas tree. My son and I even strung lights on the outside of our home (which I can't say was lots of fun, but the results were satisfying). 

Welcome Christmas!

While this season is filled with lots of stress related to demands on time and financial resources--which, at times, can almost overshadow the wonderful parts of this season--I am grateful for several things related to Christmas. The first is an emphasis on Jesus Christ and His birth into this world (with activities our family does throughout the month to focus on that emphasis). The second is additional time to be with family. The third is watching various videos that help keep my Christmas in perspective (including this new one). And lastly, it probably comes as no surprise that I really, really enjoy Christmas music. Especially singing it. But listening to it, too.

On that note, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir commenced its "Extra Rehearsal for Christmas #4" today after the broadcast. With six more to go, and some outside memorizing time, we'll be ready to present the 2017 Christmas Concert in a few weeks. I feel extra grateful to part of the Choir during Christmas time. Yes, it's a lot of time away from home (and I'm always so thankful for my wife and kids' support), but getting to sing so many wonderful Christmas songs is always a highlight for me. I've said it before, but I truly believe that God has inspired musicians around the world and throughout time to compose and arrange some of the BEST music this world has to offer--music infused with the spirit of Christmas. 

Favorite Christmas songs of mine? There are many, but my top three may very well include The Wexford Carol, The Drummer Boy, and Angels from the Realms of Glory.

I hope your Christmas season is off to a meaningful start!

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #203 - The Wonder of Gratitude

From time to time, it becomes necessary for us in the Choir to be put in its place.

Today was that day.

Obviously, each rehearsal is filled with suggestions and instruction from our conductors on how to sing better--to sing with better vowels, to sing more in tune, to sing with more unity. And the list goes on. But when we are stopped four, five, or six times to fix a certain note or set of notes, it's both embarrassing and frustrating. Embarrassing because we're better than that. And frustrating because it's really difficult to know sometimes whether it's you who is being counted as one of the singing offenders. One might say, "Well you should know, shouldn't you?" I would argue that it's not always that easy. Today's main problem was singing in-tune. Our pitch just wasn't high enough. And not just for one song, but for multiple songs.

If I was one of those individuals not singing high enough, my apologies. I was certainly trying!

Along with the choir being called out for intonation issues, we were also reminded of what a privilege it is to be in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We should never feel entitled. We should never feel apathetic. We should avoid feeling content. And we should always feel grateful. 

I appreciate re-hearing that counsel and I thought it not only applied to singing in this great choir, but also to other aspects of life. Regardless of our religion or beliefs, regardless of what type of responsibilities or challenges we have, we would do well to be hard workers, to be concerned and passionate about the opportunities we have in our lives, and to be more grateful for all we have. 

Speaking of grateful, I saw a very uplifting movie over the weekend called WONDER. It was about a 10 yr-old boy with a severe facial deformity and the interactions he had with people as he went through a transition from home schooling to public schooling. I walked out of the theater with increased gratitude for both kids and adults who are kind, loving, and can see past their own self-interest to help others. And I was reminded how being grateful can put my own trials in perspective. After all, everyone is dealing with something.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. 

Until next time, God be with you. 

Was grateful to sing today, and to sit next to Siope. It was our first time singing together!

MTC #202 - 4600

For the 4600th episode of Music & the Spoken Word today (that's a lot of episodes!), we celebrated by paying tribute to our veterans. The music we sang spoke of their bravery, their courage, their sacrifice, and their love of country and freedom. We're grateful for them and humbly acknowledge that the freedoms we all enjoy, today, have been preserved by their hard work and sacrifice. So to veterans everywhere, we thank you.

Following the broadcast, the choir was involved in a special project that was rather galactic in nature (sworn to secrecy) and then we continued our journey to learn Christmas music for our upcoming concert. Just how many of these extra Christmas rehearsals do we have, you might ask? Eleven of them--each about 90 min. long, with some being as long as 120 min. So, if my math adds up, that's roughly 18 hours. We've been sworn to secrecy as to WHAT we'll be singing and any other Christmas Concert details, but rest assured it will all be great.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #201 - Reaching Out

One of the greatest Christian beliefs is that all of us are brothers and sisters. And as such, we have a responsibility and opportunity to be kind and loving to each other. It's the "we're all in this together" mentality--and that God uses people in our lives to do what He'd do if He were here on earth (help, uplift, love, and inspire).

I just want to thank all of the choir members who continually live up to this Christian belief. At choir today, I think I received more "hello's" and "how are things going?" and questions regarding my well being, than I have in recent memory. I also received at least three genuine hugs from my fellow brethren in the choir. Needless to say, I felt very loved and felt very grateful as well. 

One of the songs we sang today had the following words:

Come home, come home,
Ye who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling;
Calling, "O sinner, come home!"

One primary interpretation of these lyrics is about turning to God through repentance. Those who have turned away from Him, or who are upset at Him, or who are determined to live life without Him, or have even strayed only a little (isn't that all of us, at times?) have a continued invitation to come back. And what better way for God to follow-up with that invitation, then to inspire those around us to show love and kindness? 

God is counting on all of us.

-----------------------------------

Switching topics, we officially kicked off the the rehearsals for our upcoming Christmas Concert. While the "choir train" never stops throughout the year, it certainly kicks into a higher gear for the next month and a half. Lots and lots and lots to rehearse. But what better music to sing than Christmas music? 

Until next time, God be with you.