Journey Behind the Notes: MTC #207 - Christmas Concert 2017

There is always so much in my heart I want to express after performing in the Christmas Concert. There's the wonderful, inspiring, and fun Christmas music itself. There are the guest artists who always shape and influence the concert tremendously. There are the hundreds and hundreds who work so hard, and on so many big and small details, to make the concert look festive and appealing and to sound so great. There's the artistic director, music directors, and the producers who spend months and months figuring out the theme, settling on songs, coming up with choreography, and praying for inspiration as it all comes together. And of course there's the choir, the orchestra, the dancers, the bell ringers, the actors, and the guest artists who put in so many hours rehearsing and perfecting. It's all a beautiful Christmas miracle, I tell you. A miracle that was shared with the 63,000 audience members this past weekend, and with millions more in the future.

I have a few personal favorite moments to share, but just want to say up front how grateful I am that I had yet another opportunity (this makes four Christmas Concerts for me) to be a part of the Christmas musical magic this year.

Favorite #1: Yes, along with most of the crowds of people who saw the concert, I really enjoyed the organ and drum "duet" of "I Saw Three Ships." Wow! Every year, Richard Elliott steals the show with his organ wizardry. But this year, it was added upon by three of our percussionists who were simply going to town on the drums. The organ arrangement of this classic Christmas song is my new favorite forever more and the drum accompaniment was simply amazing.

Favorite #2: Ever since the Choir was introduced to the song "It is Well With My

Soul", it has quickly become a favorite of mine. So, it was with great happiness that the concert's 2nd half theme was all centered on telling the backstory to that song. The inspirational experience of how the Spaffords never lost hope--never lost faith--and were able to bless the world through their kind and charitable giving, was a perfect tie-in with the spirit of Christmas.

Favorite #3: It was fun and rewarding to watch Hugh Bonneville and Sutton Foster weave their talents into the songs and the narration they shared. Exceptional. And, the few times they made mistakes during rehearsals, they simply moved forward, learned from them, and went on to give near-perfect performances. Whether it was realizing Downton

Abbey's Earl of Grantham was actually there, on the stage, or seeing Sutton's wild enthusiasm expressed in her arm waving to the choir, I found myself smiling many times.

Favorite #4: The concert ending with the traditional "Angels from the Realms of Glory," never gets old for me. I love that song--both its message and its majesty. The last 30 seconds is just emotionally overwhelming as the choir is singing full power, the orchestra is serving up delicious melodies and harmonies, the organ is blasting, the bells are ringing with all their might, and the soloist leads out with familiar melody. Gloria, in excelsis deo!

Favorite #5: The magnificent trumpet players. Mack said it was always a dream of his to get a group of herald trumpeters on stage, and his dream came true. Their sounds was only matched by how official they looked. Nicely done.

Favorite #6: This year's concert featured a song that the audience helped us sing--"Jingle Bells." Mack had no idea if this part of the program was going to be successful or not as there were some definite challenges. One of them being trying to keep 21,000 people together singing a version of Jingle Bells that was a bit different than what they were used to. But wow! The crowd loved it every single night. And it was fun to have them join in the singing.

Favorite #7: Along with singing some songs arranged by Mack, I enjoyed singing some songs arranged by Ryan Murphy as well. Whether it was traditional Christmas favorites, or other tunes that fit right in, he really has a gift. Singing them was a treat.

Favorite # 8: Those dancers! Wow. They add so much to the concerts and I'm so grateful for their talents. They just bring the music to life.

Lastly, one of my favorite moments comes on Sunday, post-concert, when, after Music & the Spoken Word, the Choir gets to sing "God Be With You" directly to the guest artists (and sometimes, members of their family, too). As we do, I always have a hope that they'll never forget their short time with us, and that the feelings they felt will hold a special place in their heart. We certainly won't forget them!

And those are my favorites! A special thanks, as always, to my wonderful wife Jennifer, and my five kids, as they sacrifice so much so I can be a part of this. A big kudos to them.

Merry Christmas everyone. Until next time, God be with you.