It's fairly common (from what I've heard and observed over the years) for Tabernacle Choir members to get pulled into other singing opportunities. Such an opportunity came my way today as I got to sing in a quartet at a ward missionary farewell (here's the song we sang). Rehearsals started a few weeks ago and since it was a capella, we wanted to make sure that our harmonies were as spot-on as they could be. Additionally, since I was singing Baritone (which was new to me), I spent quite a bit of on-my-own time getting it down. At any rate, the four of us feel like the performance today went well and enjoyed 1) getting actual feedback afterwards; and 2) getting to sing in a much smaller group where we knew each individual voice really mattered. I mean, I know (and have blogged about it) that each voice matters in the 400-voice Tabernacle Choir. But, if small mistakes are made in a large choir, no one really notices (plus, you have plenty of opportunities to breath!). It's when you're singing your part all by yourself that you feel like the spotlight is on you (and on you the whole time!).
I suppose it would be well for me to adopt that concept though as I continue my journey in the Choir. Feeling like the spotlight is always on me would prompt me to do certain things: 1) if I didn't exactly know the notes or rhythm at a certain spot in the song, I'd pull out the sheet music and verify instead of just listening around me and self-correcting as I realized what mistakes I made. 2) I'd take my music home every week to look over it. Even if I felt confident in the notes and rhythm, reading over the lyrics and letting them be a part of my week might help me appreciate the songs and their messages all the more (or even at all). 3) I could be one of those singers in my section that leads out instead of follows along. 4) I'd feel the blessings of being fully prepared. I re-recognized that feeling today while singing my part in the quartet.
I'll try better to do these things. After all, as a disciple of Christ, I should be living as if the spotlight were always on me.
Because it is.
And now, switching gears a bit to just mention some Choir "odds and ends"...
First, we have been given the opportunity to record a music video with the Piano Guys--soon. It's no small feat to pull off any type of performance with a large choir--so it'll be interesting to see how this goes. I can't say that recording is even remotely associated with the word "fun" (think retake after retake after retake), but the finished product will, I'm sure, be pretty darn cool. If I remember right, the video will be released sometime in 2023.
Second, we have General Conference coming up. I'd love some time to have the orchestra join us and let the Seventy General Authorities go sit with their wives (the orchestra needs the space they take up), but that's not happening this time. Or probably ever. (Tradition, you know?) Standard conference music is being rehearsed and I suspect everything will go just as it always goes.
Third, the announcement for the Christmas Concert guest artist is coming up here soon (I don't know exactly when, but would expect something to come out in October). Choir members have not been told anything about who it will be. But, if I were a gambling man, I'd wager it might just be The Piano Guys. It's not completely without precedent that special guests that join the Choir for Music & the Spoken Word or for the summer concert end up being the guest artist for the Christmas concert. Guess we'll see. Who knows? Maybe it's someone completely off my radar.
That as they say, is that.
Until next time, God be with you.
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