TCATS #489 - New Kids on the TabChoir Block

I went to Choir Thursday night feeling rather low. The seating chart had come out earlier that day and as soon as I noticed it, emotions hit all over again from last week and I just cried. However, I was bolstered up by the fact that I was assigned to sit next to my good friend Siope and my good friend Dave.  But an hour or two before rehearsal, Siope regretted to inform me that he wouldn't be able to make it. :(

Still, there was Dave!

Until there wasn't. As I sat there in my seat and my watch read 6:59 PM, it was clear Dave wasn't going to show up either.

And then all I could think about was Wes filling one of those empty seats.

Warm-ups started and Farrell (one of our seating managers) started rearranging everyone to fill in the empty spots. He moved me to the aisle seat and then asked one of the new guys, Andrew, to come sit next to me.  

Andrew is just one of 30+ new members to officially join the Choir after completing Choir School this past week. I blog about this event every year because it's a significant happening and because usually the excitement of these new folks helps infuse new life into the Choir's overall energy level. 

I talked to Andrew a little bit, trying to make him feel welcome. He lives in Utah County, tried out for the Choir on a whim, and is a choral conductor at a junior high. Or used to be--since I overheard him saying today that he just got a new job. He's also got to be one of our youngest members I'd think. Don't know for sure, but I'd be surprised if he's a day over 27. :)

I guess I should thank Andrew, actually. Knowing he was new sort of forced me out of my sad mood and helped me focus on trying to be friendly and helpful as we worked our way through the music. And today, it being his first broadcast and all, I remembered back to my own first broadcast and how nervous and excited I was. 

So thanks, Andrew. You're a good guy, a great musician, sang the songs perfectly today, and will fit right in with the rest of us basses. 

And to all the other new people, welcome! May the excitement and energy you felt today continue to be with you in the months and years to come. And when things start to become commonplace and the routine has set in and you've sung songs over 15-20 times, may you be able to reach down inside yourself and restore the excitement and energy you once felt.

Until next time, God be with you.

 

Patrick and I. We sent this to Wes today telling him we missed him.

 

TCATS #487 - Worked Until it Didn't

I'm going to save my tribute to Wes until next Sunday seeing as how that will be the official day he leaves the Choir. That said, for some reason my emotions didn't want to join my tribute and wait until next Sunday.

Instead, they showed up during this past Thursday night's rehearsal. 

It's true that there were several things on Thursday--during the day--that caused my tear ducts to get warmed up. Part of that had to do with where I'm at in life. The other part came from watching a tv series that depicted a lot of teens going through some really hard things in life. I easily get sad when I see or hear about all of the difficult things people have to endure. Sometimes I even tear up when I'm out and about (particularly at Walmart) as I see the wear and tare of life reflected on the faces of many people. 

But I digress.

I went to Thursday night's rehearsal feeling OK. My tears had stopped from previous events and I was looking forward to sitting next to Wes and engaging with the music. That worked until it didn't. About 2/3rds of the way through, I just started imagining Choir without my Choir best friend and it went downhill from there. My mouth got all quivery (as it does) so I couldn't sing and my tears started up again.  Even though I tried to push it all away, it wouldn't go away. Wes tried helping me out the best he could, but it almost made it worse because it was just one more thing I was going to miss (his continual efforts to help me feel better about whatever is going on in my life). By the end of the rehearsal, I was ready to go home. 

I walked to the music lockers with him and he gave me a hug and then we started walking to the outside door. He had to stay after to get a little video taken (which they do for all of those being released from the Choir) so I just started for the door but he pulled me back and gave me another hug as my tears just kept coming. UG! I don't mind being an emotional person, but sometimes it's entirely inconvenient! As I walked to my car trying to hide my face from others around me, I got to the car and just sobbed until Willy and Ben came (it had been my turn to drive our carpool). 

After getting home, I had no more tears left. The day had taken its toll. Wes was nice enough to send a follow-up text expressing hope that I'd be OK. Indeed I will be OK. Life is full of just being OK, isn't it? If YOU are one of the lucky ones who actually has more net positive days than hard ones, well, good for you. Sometimes I wish I were you.

At any rate, the broadcast today went well. Things were all pretty positive and I just tried to enjoy the experience. During the break, Wes, Patrick, and Matt and I walked around the Temple Square grounds enjoying the beautiful weather and the beautiful flowers. Wes had several people come up to him sharing their well-wishes  (which was probably a result of Mack having all of the members who were leaving stand up in rehearsal today to be recognized). We took a few pics and then went back in to perform for the world. 

After the performance was over, we just sat there. Wes looked over at me with a smile and said "Yeah, I know". To which I said "yeah, it's weird." Referring of course to the fact that he has one Music & the Spoken Word left. Ever. He's done about 175 of them, give or take, and now he is down to just one more.

Change. I know it's part of the natural order of things and is tied into the rhythm of life. But man! It's hard. 

Until next time, God be with you.

Me, Patrick, Matt, & Wes