MTC Week #44 - Chords That Speak for Themselves

Back when I was in the BYU Concert Choir ('93 - '97), there were times when we'd be singing a piece of music and a particular chord combination would seem to match exactly what I was feeling. It was as if the very emotions or combination of emotions was "assigned" to those notes. I'm not sure how else to describe it. I remember one time in particular when I was at a rather low point in my life--frustrated with this thing and that thing--not knowing if God cared too much about my circumstances or not. It was then that during a rehearsal, we sang a combination of eight notes, somewhat minor and dissonant, and tears sprang to my eyes because it matched exactly what my soul was feeling. It wasn't the words--it was the notes themselves. I knew then that God did care and He was speaking through the notes to my heart.

I suppose that this phenomenon occurs in varying degrees with any fine, soul-stirring music. It can manifest itself with a general feeling one gets from hearing such music or it can be isolated to certain notes and chords. This happened today while we were singing Psalm 148 by Gustav Holst. What a beautiful choral or orchestral arrangement! It's heavenly. Other worldly. It's full of praise and

Gustav Holst

love and pure light. Walking up to the choir seats today, a choir member, Devin, commented that he had been so excited all week to sing this song. Indeed, I think many of us felt that way. One of the note combinations that caused a feeling of heaven coming down to envelop earth was at the very end. The choir and orchestra held out these notes--everyone putting their whole heart into them--and then Bro. Wilberg gave us the signal to cutoff. And what was left was a reverberation of heavenly sound that echoed through the Tabernacle. Perfect.

Until next time, God be with you!


PS: For all of those who weren't selected to get tickets for the upcoming Christmas Concert, I'm really sorry. The Choir is going to be singing several Christmas selections on the weekly broadcast and you are always welcome to come on Sunday morning to hear those. Also, you are welcome to come hear us rehearse for the Christmas Concert during the Thursday nights leading up to the event. I leave you with a poster one of our choir members made (Preston Tenney) which I thought was definitely worth posting for all to see. Great work!

  

MTC Week #43 - Seating 101

Today's Music & the Spoken Word broadcast was great. I probably sound like a broken record sometimes-- but in all seriousness, each week is full of soul-inspiring music and lots of audience members to sing to. I'm just grateful for this experience. It was particularly fun to see a whole group of Japanese students who were in the audience today and I directed my singing and spiritual thoughts to them in hopes they'd come away from the experience uplifted. I have a special place in my heart for the Japanese people.

Today I got to sit next to Ryan Withers who is a good 1st year choir friend--a classy guy who always has a smile and something to say that will bring a smile to your face. We were a bit amazed we had that opportunity in the first place since he's a baritone and I'm a bass (so odds are quite against us). But I thought I'd take this opportunity to tell you how the seating works in the choir. You may very well find this to be a boring topic so you're welcome to move on to whatever you wanted to browse next! Those of you who have their interest piqued, read on.

I often get asked by family and friends where my assigned seat is--so that they can try and spot me on TV. That's a hard question to answer because I am usually not in my assigned seat each week. In general, if you look at the choir seats, we're arranged S-A-T-B (from left to right). But, in more detail, here's how it works:

Our seating assignment is given by Dave and Deb Gheris. What they say, goes.

The seating czar!

A few times each year, we're given a seating chart and when we come to rehearsal on Thursdays, we sit in that assigned seat. Two side notes on that: First, while the shorter individuals are usually placed near the front, the rest of us who range from about 5' 9" to over 6' are somewhat randomly placed. Second, a few individuals don't have an assigned seat since there are more choir members then there are seats. Which, of course, sounds crazy. But it all works out due to 30-40 choir members not being in attendance any given week because of life's various demands.

Anyhow, we either sit in our assigned seat, or stand near the seats waiting to be seated. After rehearsal begins, Dave (for the brethren) assesses the situation, notices which seats are empty, and then starts moving people around to get those seats filled. The goal is to fill from the bottom up. More times than not, this ends up in many of the choir members getting a new spot to sit in. And sometimes, it means sitting by someone other than who you were sitting next to originally. 

On Sunday, this may all change AGAIN. If there are choir members who, for whatever reason, were at Thursday rehearsal but don't show up on Sunday, then there are more holes to fill and more rearranging. Flexibility is the name of the game.

I for one am glad about the opportunity to be rearranged week to week. My permanent seat is 2nd row from the top, at the end of the row. While this affords me more space and a clear line of sight to our conductor, it's more helpful to me to be in the middle somewhere, surrounded by basses. (It's especially helpful when I don't quite know every note of the song we're singing because I can glean off of what I'm hearing all around me!)

Plus, sometimes it's just nice to sit next to someone you know, or who's voice is of the same timbre, or who sings at a perfect volume for you, etc. etc. While all choir members are talented singers, personalities, friendships, and voices themselves are certainly not created equal :) 

So that is Seating 101. 

As an aside, I have to mention that the missionary who I've referenced before as the "standing ovationist" (see Week #39) was recognized today by Lloyd Newell since his mission was ending. Lloyd thanked this enthusiastic elder for his devotion to the choir and wanted him to know he'll always be considered part of the "choir family". I'm sure that meant a lot to him. It'll be strange not having him stand right up after the broadcast is over each Sunday to give his rousing applause. 

Until next time, God be with you!

MTC Week #42 - To the End

Each week during our Thursday night rehearsals, visitors on Temple Square come into the Tabernacle to listen. Many are lined up and ready to enter as soon as the doors open at 7:30. For the next 45 minutes or so, additional visitors wander in--they having perhaps heard the music from a far and come to join the others. 

As time marches forward, and as the 8:30 mark rolls around, many have already left. And by 8:45, there is only a fairly small group remaining. But that small group consists of individuals who are "committed to the end." They have come prepared to stay. I can only assume that they just love listening to the choir so much that they want to be there until the entire rehearsal is over.

Interestingly enough, Bro. Wilberg waits to greet our visitors sometime during the 8:30 to 8:45 time frame. This admittedly troubles me a bit because I always think "Why doesn't he turn around to the visitors around 7:45 when the population is at its largest?" (Even asking this question, I already know the answer because I know how Bro. Wilberg operates. After he starts us rehearsing, he doesn't want to lose any momentum! He wants to utilize every precious minute with the choir and orchestra preparing us for our future performances.) 

That all said, this whole situation parallels the great parable of the Ten Virgins which the Savior taught during his ministry (watch a depiction of this parable, here). By no means am I wanting to imply that those who leave our rehearsals before we're done are foolish or not prepared! Certainly not. We are honored they are even there and love all who come and listen, if only for a few minutes. We hope their lives are uplifted and blessed for the better (and we know they have things to get to). But in the spirit of this parable, those who wait until the final hour are rewarded by an official greeting by Bro. Wilberg and they are invited to our Sunday performance--which, compared to our rehearsal, is a more enjoyable experience with out all of the starts and stops.

Likening this to our own lives, are we prepared? Are we committed to living a Christ-like life until the end? Do we love Christ enough to put other things aside and follow Him?

As an aside, everything about today's Music & Spoken Word rehearsal and performance was near perfect. I loved being there, loved where I got to sit, loved those I got to interact with, and even the post performance rehearsal was rewarding. Add to that a beautiful day outside with wonderful Fall weather and all of the trees turning various colors....well, I just felt grateful and blessed.

Until next time, God be with you!


PS: congrats to my new good friend Ryan Bateman who is marking his 15th anniversary with the choir. Wow.

MTC Week #41 - Cheering Beams of Hope

We sang some very beautiful music this morning including a piece called "Thou Lovely Source of True Delight" which is one of those majestic pieces with grand orchestration to bring the text to life. There was a verse in particular that spoke to me:

Tis here, whenev’er my comforts droop 
And sin and sorrow rise 
Thy love with cheering beams of hope 
My fainting heart supplies, 
But ah! Too soon the pleasing scene 
Is clouded o’er with pain 
My gloomy fears rise dark between 

And I again complain

Don't we all go through such an up and down cycle? We have a hard time, we mess up, and then we feel God's love sustain us and help us and give us hope. Only to have something hard come again and we can't help but complain about the lot we've been given, or the weaknesses we have to overcome, or the trial that doesn't seem very fair. 

It reminds me of some verses from a prophet Nephi, in The Book of Mormon:

And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?  Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.  O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.

Hopefully, you, and I, can trust that our trials are for a purpose and the Lord is in control and as such, we'll be OK if we just keep going forward. Hold on to those cheering beams of hope! 

Switching topics, Thursday night we received more details about the upcoming 2015 tour and were given some handouts going over the itinerary, costs for guests, physician signoff, etc.  There was an audible gasp over the price to bring a guest ($3500). But then again, it is to New York and staying there is not cheap. Especially when it's for two full weeks. At any rate, it should be a very fun and exciting opportunity. 

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC Week #40 - 184th Semi-Annual General Conference

I was grateful to be a part of conference this weekend. The Choir worked hard to perfect nearly every note sung and our conductors were pleased with the result. Aside from the technical aspects of how we sounded, there were many songs that really did touch my heart and inspire me to be a better person. I hope that those who listened around the world felt the same way.

There's much I could say about this event but I thought I'd do a "top ten" to mark this event.

I enjoyed...

10) rehearsing in the Conference Center when all the 22,000 seats were empty and then seeing all of those seats get filled up with anxious individuals ready to listen to the prophet speak (and us sing of course)

9) sitting at the end of the 2nd to the top row (in the corner) which allowed me to peer over the edge and watch the prophet and the apostles enter and leave the podium area (and see them wave to the audience--including younger kids whose faces showed light and happiness)

8) munching on some snacks being passed around the bass section while we were listening to the speakers and waiting to sing (thanks to whoever provided the stay-alert goodies :)

7) getting to talk to fellow choir members during the breaks (since, as I've mentioned before, some opportunities are fairly rare)

6) seeing all of the MANY people who contributed the conference experience. There were hundreds of volunteers doing everything from ushering, setting up teleprompters, cleaning the seats, doing the floral arrangements, coordinating the broadcasting aspects, feeding us lunch between sessions, and, well, I'm sure I've just scratched the surface.

5) having bathrooms nearby (this may sound funny, but until just recently, the nearest bathrooms for the men were 5 min away)

4) walking right past David Archuleta, who must have been back stage to be escorted to some place where he could enjoy conference without getting accosted (I should have told him thanks for his latest song but I was so taken back by him actually being there, I was at a loss for words)

3) hearing all of the speakers give their messages (and, in particular, those who delivered them in their native tongue)

2) singing so many wonderful songs. Some of the ones I enjoyed the most were "Praise to the Man", "Softly and Tenderly", "How Firm a Foundation", and "Lo, the Mighty God Appearing". 

1) feeling inspired, warm, comforted, and wanting to follow the counsel given by modern day prophets and apostles. Also, having a prayer in my heart for those I know need particular peace and guidance in their lives.

Until next time, God be with you! (and enjoy some pics below)

Conference Center - Empty

Conference Center - Full

The basses in the corner section.

Bass Section

MTC Week #39 - The Standing Ovationist (& Conference Prep!)

So each week as we perform Music & the Spoken Word, the Tabernacle typically fills to capacity. Visitors literally come from far and near to be a part of the program and they often get our their smartphones to take pictures or video of the choir rehearsing before the performance. We have distinguished guests from time to time, general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pastors and ministers from other faiths, and even ward and/or stake groups from across the valley. I'm a bit overwhelmed each week at the sight of it all. 

Among those who attend EACH week, are the Elder and Sister missionaries who have been called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those in this area. And among those, is one elder who is, I dare say, one of our biggest fans.

I don't know his name, but each week he sits on the front row and eagerly takes

in the rehearsing and performing. As we finish singing the last song and the organ plays a short fade-out number (and Lloyd Newell completes his concluding words), this elder enthusiastically jumps to his feet and starts clapping with more vigor than I've seen from anyone else in my entire life. People in the choir give short chuckles of laughter every week upon witnessing this, and of course the rest of the audience follows suit shortly after his unashamed gratitude. While some might say he does this just for fun, I think he does it because he's really showing what he feels. 

Thank you, standing ovationist, for your enthusiasm, courage, and support.

Two other things to mention...

First, my favorite song today was "Love Divine, All Love Excelling" which was arranged by Bro. Wilberg and reminded me of the feeling I get when singing "Come, Thou Fount". My favorite lyrics in "Love Divine..." are

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation

Perfectly restored in Thee;

Lastly, we're spending the week preparing for General Conference this upcoming weekend. I hope you all are planning to tune in. Along with the excellent talks, you'll be able to hear some inspiring music as well. 

Until next time, God be with you!

MTC Week #38 - From the Halls of Montezuma

The Choir had the honor of performing today with the “The President’s Own”
United States Marine Band, directed by Lieutenant Colonel Jason K. Fettig. As you can probably guess, our repertoire included several patriotic pieces--some of which we knew very well and others that we had to spend considerable time learning and memorizing. In fact, on that point, even many of those who have sung with the choir for years had to dust off their memorization skills for this performance. 

Lt. Col. Jason Fettig

One of the pieces was a collection of the theme songs for each branch of the United States military. Some of those lyrics are familiar to almost everyone, most notably the Air Force theme (c'mon now...here we go..."Off we go, into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sun.") Anyhow, I mention this collection in particular because it marks the first time since I joined the choir that everyone around me was scrambling a bit to remember all of the words. It was rather comforting!

Aside from the fact that I had all of the songs-to-be-memorized running through my head 24x7 for the past week (and I'm afraid it'll take several days to remove them from my mind's auto playlist), today's performance was a great tribute to our veterans and it was neat to hear this band play (they sounded near-perfect). As was mentioned on the broadcast: Every generation has the opportunity to be as great as the one that preceded it. We measure the value of a veteran’s service not by the length or the location of the conflict but by the heart and character of the soldiers. Every time brave soldiers respond to the call of duty, they have the opportunity to leave a legacy of honor for those who follow.

May that legacy of honor continue!

For me, amidst all of the great singing and performing, the thing that impacted me the most was when we sang "God Be With You" at the end as we normally do. This time though, I turned slightly and picked out one of the band members to focus on (I always like to single out an individual). Midway through the piece, he brought his hand up to wipe away some tears. While there are many in today's world who would like to separate God from this great nation, it cannot be done. And I think that band member (with many others hopefully) felt the Spirit in remembering that.

Until next time, God be with you.