During my college days, I had the great opportunity to sing with BYU's Concert Choir. No, it wasn't BYU's famous Men's Chorus known for their fun arrangements and crowd-pleasing selections. And no, it wasn't BYU's Vocal Point either--known for their stylish, popular, and extremely talented a cappella. Rather, there were (and still are) two other performing vocal groups. Concert Choir and BYU Singers. And it's the BYU Singers I'd like to focus on for a couple of minutes.
As most are aware, it's been near impossible for larger choral groups to come together and do any sort of rehearsing or performing these days. But for choral groups that are smaller, like the BYU Singers, they've found ways to make it work, even amidst the pandemic restrictions imposed upon them.
Recently, they released THIS on their Facebook group. (I'd encourage you to watch it--only 2 1/2 minutes--as the rest of this blog entry will reference it)
Some impressions about that video.
First, it was beautiful. Heavenly even. And for me, it brought back memories of singing in that very rehearsal hall.
Second, they were complying with the pandemic restrictions. Nothing about such compliance was ideal--singing with masks and being so far apart from each other. But they made it work. The individuals who are a part of this talented group were able to do what they love to do--sing and lift others through such singing.
Third, it got me thinking about whether or not the Tabernacle Choir could pull something off like this. Granted, there's a huge difference between the size of BYU Singers and the size of the Tabernacle Choir. But picture this: the Tabernacle Choir, split into four groups of roughly 90-95 members each, and each group taking turns spreading out across the balcony of the Tabernacle, wearing masks and finally getting to FULFILL THEIR CALLING. As my wife and I were talking, they could then film each of the four groups singing separately and with a little bit of behind-the-scenes technical magic, combine all four by showing different recordings throughout the piece being performed. Would it be a big undertaking? To be sure. But the Tabernacle Choir has taken on huge projects before with great success. And think what message it would send to the world: we're not going to let the pandemic stop us--the actual members of the choir (not the organization itself)--from fulfilling our mission.
Fourth, (building upon the third point above) as mentioned before, the Tabernacle Choir organization can continue fulfilling its mission even without live performances because of the vast amount of past performances to draw upon. But, wouldn't it make a bigger difference if the world saw a live performance again--one in which the world would know by looking into our eyes that we know what they're currently going through. We know how hard the trials have been for them because we, ourselves, right now, are going through those same trials too. I've got to believe that a huge connection would be made. A dominant message of hope would be instilled. One that couldn't and can't be established by airing reruns in quite the same way.
But alas, taking from an exceptional song from Finding Neverland:
When your feet don't touch the ground,
When your voice won't make a sound.
Here, it's safe, in this place, up off the clouds.
Perhaps I'll just stay in the clouds and dream about these things--for now. And maybe, just maybe, things will be different and better when my feet finally do touch the ground again.
Until next time, God be with you.
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