TCATS #303 - What Choir Gives Me

Nothing too out of the ordinary happened this week--either at rehearsal on Thursday or on Sunday for Music & the Spoken Word. I did, however, get to miraculously sit next to my good friend Wes (which usually doesn't happen), and, they did announce the guest artist for this year's Christmas Concert (which you can read all about HERE). Other than that, a fairly "normal" choir experience this week. 

As such, I just thought I would selfishly reflect on what choir gives me--what it gives me today and what it has given me during these past almost six years.

<>Face-to-face Social Time: Because of my work from home employment situation, I'm secluded in my home office a lot and often feel socially starved. I talk to several people on the phone throughout the week, but I really miss face-to-face time with people. Choir provides that for me. There isn't a lot of social time at choir, actually, but I take what I can get. And through the years, some of my fellow choir members have become cherished friends.

<>Spiritual Experiences: my spiritual experiences aren't limited to choir, of course, but there are many to be found at choir. The music we rehearse and perform always has a positive, uplifting message and those messages, combined with the actual music, feed my soul.

<>Quality Singing: when I graduated from BYU and performed my last concert with the BYU Concert Choir, I thought that my time of being able to sing with really talented singers (on that scale) was probably over. From that point, up until the time I joined the choir, I have been able to enjoy several small-group performances (mostly at church) that were made up of truly talented singers. But there's nothing quite like being surrounded by 90+ basses who know how to sing. We all make our fair share of mistakes, but overall, it's a heavenly experience.

<>Sharing the Stage with Guest Artists:  Just within six years, I've been able to perform on the same stage with many, many professional singers. Heck, I even got to be on the same stage as the Muppets! From Santino Fantana, to Laura Osnes, to the King's Singers, to Rolando Villazon, to Hugh Bonneville and Sutton Foster, to Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly to Kristin Chenoweth to Sissell and many others. Just wow.

<>Gospel Insights: when memorizing songs and studying the lyrics, I've been taught a lot of insights about how to live the Gospel better. My personal strength has been renewed and my testimony deepened. My desire to follow Christ has been increased. And my love of family and friends has sweetened. 

I don't know how much longer my choir journey will be, but I'll continue to enjoy the blessings it gives me each and every week!

Until next time, God be with you.

Some pics from today's broadcast