I thought that instead of highlighting a certain theme or focusing on one aspect of my Tabernacle Choir journey this week, I'd just tell you how it was. Sound OK?
Thursday night we returned to the Tabernacle after a summer-long hiatus over in the Conference Center. It was nice to be back, honestly. While I enjoy the nicer temperatures over at the Conference Center, I much prefer the Tabernacle mostly because I feel more connected to the people who come and listen to us sing. They are closer to me--I can see their faces. I can also get a better sense of the feelings they're having as they (hopefully) internalize the message we're so hoping they receive.
The rehearsal itself was pretty normal. We started with a heartfelt prayer offered by a choir member, and then Mack took us through each of the songs we were singing on Sunday, one by one, stopping here and there to correct us. We tapped, we penciled in corrections and important things to remember, and we tried to be patient with each other and the process. Mack turned around to those who had come to watch us around 8:15 and welcomed them, inviting them to come back Sunday morning to watch the performance of Music & the Spoken Word. At that point, the Orchestra left the stage to go home and the choir members remained for another 75 minutes to start work on some pieces we're recording next week: When You Believe (from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack); and The Avengers (obviously from The Avengers movie soundtrack). The former is one of my favorites and the latter was simply fun to sing (no words--just lots of ooohing and oooing and ahhhing).
Our carpool left fairly quickly after rehearsal was over and we enjoyed talking about the night and several other topics as we headed home.
This morning, Willy and I drove in together talking about the events of each others' weekend, and once arrived, we changed our clothes, got our music, and headed up to the loft to get ready for rehearsal. Along the way we said hello to fellow choir members and spent what little time we had before things started, looking at the pieces that were to be memorized for today. I was most worried about the 2nd verse of I Sing the Mighty Power of God just because the lyrics just weren't gelling in my head. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one as Willy was having the same issue, and Dave, sitting next to me, was also struggling. It's a strange thing going into a worldwide broadcast knowing that the potential for messing up the words is a real thing. And the poor tenors and basses on the front row--they are probably even more concerned because those operating the cameras often come right up to them for a very personal close-up!
We rehearsed for about an hour after no announcements today and an opening prayer. It went pretty smoothly I'd say. So much so that Mack was ready for the run through a whole ten minutes early. So he informed the "people behind the scenes" and they prepped for an early run through--just as people started pouring into the Tabernacle.
I enjoyed the run through and was able to get the words OK. (Now if I could just get them in the live broadcast!) While not on camera, my eyes occasionally wandered to those coming in and once again, I was grateful to see their faces. During the break, I enjoyed some conversation with Mark and Ryan and Jason, as we discussed everything from marathons to marriage to chocolate. We then got in line to get some shine killer applied to our foreheads and faces, after which we made a trip to the bathroom and then back up to the loft to do some last minute reviewing of the 2nd verse. As I looked at the audience again, I was amazed at how full the Tabernacle had become. There really was hardly a seat left.
As the broadcast began, my eyes locked with one of the camera techs who was sitting behind a banister in front of me, and he smiled as if to say "Here we go again!" I smiled back and then my eyes focused on Mack and my task at hand. There was lots of good music today, but my favorite piece was Love Divine, All Loves Excelling--which fortunately, we get to sing at Conference in a few weeks. Hooray! As we ended with that song (oh wait! I forgot to mention that I was able to recall the 2nd verse to that one song!), we sang one last number to the audience (God Be With You) and then sat down, feeling grateful for another opportunity we had had to sing our testimonies. With only a few minutes break, Mack got us started on our extra rehearsal today (75 minutes) in the which we again prepped for our recording session next week. This time I recorded the songs on my phone for a fellow choir member who has been gone--which I plan to send to him later today. Hopefully they will help him get ready for next Tuesday when the recording session will commence.
There you have it. A day in the life....
Until next time, God be with you.
No comments:
Post a Comment