As social distancing continues to keep the choir apart, it's times like these when I need to just sit back and do some reminiscing of the "good ol' days". The art of remembering is a powerful tool that can be used for a lot of things, and I'd like to employ it right now as I think about some highlights during the past six years of being in the Choir. Ready to take a little journey with me? Awesome. And welcome aboard!
For part 1 of our journey, I take us back to March of 2014. The group I had come into the Choir with had been in choir school for about two and a half months. And because Bro. Wilberg was needing us to lend our voices to the upcoming Messiah performance, he asked that we start singing on Music & the Spoken Word. Why? Because these weekly performances were going to include pieces from The Messiah and we'd be able to learn them quicker if we joined the Tabernacle Choir in performing them (there's no better way to learn a piece than to know you're going to perform it, prepare accordingly, and then actually perform it). So, instead of traditionally waiting until the end of April/first part of May for those in the choir school to join the weekly broadcasts, we joined the second week of March (if memory serves). I'll never forget that first broadcast! I felt a mix of excitement, nervousness, exhilaration, and wonderment. In my mind, I was thinking of all of the times I had watched Music & the Spoken Word on television, always thinking very highly of all of the talented singers and wondering what it would be like to be one of them. And suddenly, there I was--one of them! Would I be on camera? Would I remember the words? Would I stand up, sit down, and bring up my folder all at the right times? I remember too, feeling nervous that I would mess up in turning the pages of my music or drop my music altogether because I had always held my music folder in my right hand--and the Tabernacle Choir all held folders in their left. It sounds like a little thing, but whether my left hand was up for the challenge remained to be seen! Anyway, while I don't recall exactly what pieces we sang, the thrill of it all of being my first actual performance was simply amazing. The fulfillment of a dream come true.
Another very memorable experience was my first Christmas Concert. Truth be told, I had never ever seen a Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert before. I had no idea what a huge production they were. As the guest artists had been announced months before, I had my doubts on how great it would be. Little did I know that the Sesame Street Muppets were determined to not only make this year's Christmas Concert great, but forever memorable! I remember going to rehearsal the Wednesday before and seeing everything just come together like magic. I was in awe. It was also the concert that I was able to perform next to one of my best friends in the choir--Ryan Bateman. The next three nights were full of inspiration and wonder and the audience just loved every minute of it. It was then I was taken to a new level of appreciation and gratitude for all of the great experiences I was being given in the Tabernacle at Temple Square. And I felt so excited for more to come.
Part 2 next week...
Until then, God be with you.
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