TCATS #452 - Christmas Concert Top Ten

Well, the Choir, orchestra, bells, conductors, support staff, the guest artists, and the families of all of those just mentioned, made it through the very busy Christmas Concert week! Everyone involved in the actual concert met on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday night to put it all together. The concerts followed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with a "mini-concert" on Sunday (which consisted of the normal 30 min Music & the Spoken Word, followed by 30 additional minutes of parts of the Christmas Concert for just the in-house audience).

If you want to read professionally published articles on the concert, feel free to click on the multiple links below. The purpose of this particular blog entry, though, is to share with you my own experience and perhaps give you a peak behind what the audience saw.

ARTICLES

DesNews
LDSLiving
Church News
Salt Lake Tribune

 

My TOP TEN Moments (in no particular order)

10. There weren't any songs I didn't like singing this year, but the one I think I enjoyed the most personally was "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming". I already blogged about this song, and like I said in that write-up, it's just a beautiful tune and singing it a cappella really brought it into my heart. Honorable Mention: "I Saw Three Ships"--especially the last 15 seconds of that song. 

9. Having the privilege of singing next to my very good friend, Bro. Wes Malquist for the Thurs and Fri night concerts. His side comments, funny jokes, impeccable knowledge of the music, enthusiasm, encouragement, and friendship were (and always are) very much appreciated.

8. Observing how the various men and women within the choir leadership effectively handled certain issues that came up--which could have caused several choir members to lose focus on what mattered the most.

7. Listening to a mini-devotional (including a Q&A) in which the guest artists (Lea Solonga, Sir David Suchet, and Nicholas Winton Jr) were given some time to talk about themselves, their experiences this week, and answer questions that choir members had. The experience was very insightful. Among lots of things they said, they were all in agreement that their time here with the choir organization has been life-changing. They have been extremely grateful for the hospitality and friendship they've felt and have been overwhelmed with the kindness they've experienced.

6. Hanging out with friends during the breaks we had. It was fun talking about how the "concert experience" was going for everyone and hearing each other's take on impressions, favorite musical numbers, and guest artist reactions. Of course we talked about lots of other topics too. 

5. Reading through all of the social media posts that members of the choir posted to our non-public FB group. So many shared how they or people they know had been affected by what they saw and heard. Many miracles, many inspirational stories, many thankful hearts from people going through hard things.

4. Being greeted after the concerts by the Choir presidency (including the wives) who congratulated us on a job well done.

3.  Seeing audience members turn on the lights of their phones after being invited to pledge their lives to serving and uplifting others in 2023. It was truly symbolic in so many ways. Even just one light in the darkness shines brightly and is noticeable (meaning that one person's light can be effective in helping someone else) but as that one light turned into thousands of lights, it was evident how quickly light can cut through the darkness and individual acts of goodness can add up.

2. Hearing the story of how Nicky Winton saved over six hundred children from certain death just as WWII was about to start. You can read more about that story at the link, but it was so inspirational. The last remaining child of Nicky was at the concert --and during the devotional, he spoke of additional acts of service his father did during his life which clearly painted the picture that Nicky was truly a man of service throughout his entire life.

1. Having my joy in singing with the choir reignited. Leave it to Christmas music to work a miracle.

Special thanks to my carpool buddies and to my wife and kids who came to support me (and kept things going on the home front while I was away). Love you all!

Until 2023, may God be with you.

 

(Pictures courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and LDSLiving.com)

Lea Solonga

Audience members holding up their lights

Lea Solonga

Sir David Suchet

Holding up lights to signify a pledge for good works

Wes and me after the 12/18 MSW

Carpool buddies having some pre-concert eats

Wes, myself, and Patrick

Wes & Patrick enjoying some dinner after our recording session

TCATS #451 - Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

I loved all of the Christmas songs the Tabernacle Choir got to perform today, but I think the one I enjoyed the most was "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" or, translated "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming". While I'm not a huge fan particularly of the title, the song itself--the tune--somehow embodies all of the good things about Christmas. Somewhere along the way when I was smack dab in the middle of my teenage years, Mannheim Steamroller's version of this song made an impression on me and tied together all the positive things about Christmas--which has carried over into my adult years. So, as I sang it today, I felt good and was hoping that others were feeling good listening to it.

Also, it's very rare that the Choir does anything a cappella. It just takes too long for a choir this size to work on and perfect an a cappella song. So when we performed this song today without any accompaniment, the experience seemed to make it all the more special. The happy feelings were a bit deeper--a bit more meaningful. It's almost like a cappella singing (particularly when it's a slower moving piece) causes each singer to have to rely on each other a little more than usual because we're much more exposed. As Bro. Wilberg would say "there's no where to hide". We each have to do our part very well.

Speaking of "very well" AND our conductor Bro. Wilberg AND things that are rare, our conductor gave us a compliment today that I don't think I've ever heard. He said our performance today was "exceptional". I turned to Wes and asked "Did he really just say that?" Haha. Yes, yes he did.

In other news, this next week is THE week! Our busiest week of the year. Rehearsals Tues and Wed, with performances Thur, Fri, and Sat. And Sun of course. I feel like we're ready. Some of the newer choir members will undoubtedly still be looking over their music right up until Thursday. But they are doing great. We'll all get there. 

A shout out to all of my fellow choir friends today who were extra loving and supportive. Compliments, hugs, well-wishes, comical commentary, and genuine concern about current life challenges--all of these things were given and received in abundance. Such good people. And on top of that, I got a nice text after the performance today from my wife who continues to support me in this musical journey (and puts up with all of my being gone this coming week). Thanks Jenn!

Last thing: if you weren't able to see last year's Christmas Concert, it will be shown on TV throughout December. Check out this link for details. Regarding this concert, guest narrator Neal McDonough said "Creating this show of Christmas, and talking about the things that I love most, it’s truly a highlight of my career,” said McDonough. It’s so emotional and so powerful what we say on stage. The whole true meaning of the show is all about family. I am just so honored to be part of a show, alongside a world-class group, that really talks about life. It’s about kindness and forgiveness and realizing that it’s not about us, it’s about the greater good. For me to be able to express how I feel onstage, it’s such an empowering feeling because I haven’t really had that ability to be able to speak about how I feel about life and how I like that to be with my art. It’s an inspiring, humbling, fantastic feeling.”

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #450 - The Little Things

Today was a long day. Sundays for the Choir are normally long, but today I spent 9 1/2 hrs as a musical missionary. We had the normal broadcast in the morning. And then we regrouped at 4:30pm to prep for the First Presidency Christmas Devotional at 6pm. By the time I got home I was weary. 

That said, singing Christmas music is always satisfying and I tried to find the little things that made the long hours of today more of a delight. Ready for a few?

1. I got to get into a car this morning that had been inside my [warmer] garage instead of outside in the very cold air.

2. The roads and weather were good throughout the day. 

3. I sat by two good friends for both the MSW broadcast and the devotional. We talked of good, important things.

4. I got a few hugs.

5. My friend Patrick was back after a week of being out sick, right ready to sing and be a part of the magic again.

6. The full carpool gang drove to and from the devotional together. It's probably been five months since all four of us drove in together.

7. I was able to stifle a sneeze and two facial itches while potentially on camera. 

8. I appreciated how beautiful and Christmasy decorated the Conference Center was. (Bless those people who spent countless hours doing that)

9. I got to help a fellow bass by taking his music back to the library and checking to see if his new badge had come in.

10. I got a few nice texts from family and friends showing their love and support for time spent today.

There's ALWAYS something good to find, even within days that are very full, or very tiring, or very stressful, or very draining, or very hard. Sure, you might have to really think about the day's events to find what exactly made you even the least bit happy, but I know you'll find something. Give it a try the next time you are tempted to think the day was a complete disappointment.

Until next time, God be with you.