TCATS #456 - Seven Songs!

Whenever history has been made with the Tabernacle Choir, I want to make sure I document it. So that's what I'm doing today.

This was one of those history making experiences that no one really even talked about. Certainly the audience didn't know. It wasn't announced or pointed out. Nothing was written about it. But today on Music & the Spoken Word, we sang not our typical five songs. Nor did we sing six. We sang seven! And the producers even managed to fit in this medium-length organ solo that was nothing short of impressive.

Out of those seven songs, there weren't too many I was thrilled about singing. In fact my favorite of the bunch was a long-time classic of the Choir--Climb Every Mountain, from The Sound of Music. Sometimes it's the lyrics of this song that stand out to me. Sometimes it's the melody and harmonies of the song itself (and how it's arranged). But today it was the fact that the song brought me back to a time long ago. A time when things were simpler. Life was easier. And responsibilities were very few. I still remember the first time I watched Sound of Music. It was Thanksgiving Day and the big meal of the day was finished. It was nearing 7pm, everyone was getting a second or third helping of pie, and all of my family and extended family were excited to sit down in front of the TV and watch this wonderful musical that they had been talking about for days. I sat down with them, being maybe 11 or 12 at the time, and ended up enjoying every minute of it. Who knew, at the time, that I'd land a part in my high school's performance of it five years later. And who knew I'd be singing songs from it with the Tabernacle Choir 30 years later.

Switching topics, Thierry Fischer came to the Tabernacle today to rehearse with us the ELIJAH oratorio following the broadcast. He currently is the director for the Utah Symphony and will be the one directing us as we perform ELIJAH in a couple of weeks. While I still don't love this musical work, it was a nice experience to be directed by Thierry (pronounced "Terry"). I think the Choir really put on their "A" game for him and as we went through the first half of the piece (which took an hour), I finally had the feeling that I'd be able to get through this OK. Along with that feeling, I have to give credit to my friend Wes who has been singing right next to me for the past five weeks. He knows I've had a hard time with it and has lent support and encouragement that has been very much appreciated. And speaking of people to thank, I also thank my wife for her encouragement and prayers as well. Who would have thought this would have been such a struggle? I hope that when it's all said and done, I can look back and pick out a few good things about the experience. But to be honest, people helping me get through it has already been a positive. And being conducted by Thierry and him sharing his passion about the piece was a positive as well. 

The obvious "life take-away" I suppose is to let people help you get through things. Let them serve you. Also, as you're going through hard things, maybe there's something that's good. Even if it's small and almost unnoticeable. 

Until next time, God be with you.