Sunday, July 31, 2016

MTC Week #135 - Europe Tour, Part 2

As mentioned last week, I wanted to devote this post to pictures I took in Europe and some concluding thoughts about the tour. So without further ado, here are some pictures to help you get a visual of things I saw and experienced. (Click on each for a larger version). And I just want to express, again, how grateful I was for the opportunity to go and share the light of Christ, through music, with so many people in Europe.

Getting off the plane during a layover in Amsterdam

Our hotel at our first stop, Berlin

The Brandenberg Gate in Berlin

Reichstag building in Berlin--historic government building



A uniquely designed holocaust memorial

A fun souvenir shop and a currywurst shop (Berlin)

One view of the Berlin Wall - the wall and below it








People just chillin' in the evening hours by the river (Berlin)

Another view of the Wall

A giant modern spire on top of the Reichstag (Berlin)

Our first performance at the Berlin Philharmonie

Inside the Philharmonie starting a sound check

Another view of the Philharmonie

Before our concert. Siope, Dennis (my great roommate), and me

Going to the restroom costs money!

 
One of the MANY outdoor restaurants/cafes (Munich)

A plate someone ELSE ordered. Ick!

A friend, Ryan Withers

Our second concert, at the Meistersingerhalle (Munich)

Dennis, Ben, and I enjoying the very yummy Magnum bar

Outside a Nazi indoctrinization building (Nuremberg)

A church member's unique bike (look close)!

Exit of a parking lot--trying to get one of those perspective shots

Site of a Nazi base camp. This shows THEN...

...and this shows TODAY (Nuremberg)

Another view of the Meistersingerhalle

Dennis and I took a run through an old cemetery (Munich)

The famed Glockenspiel on the Marienplaz (Munich)

Not sure you'd see a row of these sold in the US :)

A view of the Marienplatz (central shopping area)

Some guys dressing up in traditional clothing

The Graggenauer Viertel (mansion for the once elite royalty)
 


Beautiful gardens within Vienna

Votive Church seen from the center of Freud Park (Austria)

Hmmm, what's that poster in the background?

Where we ate dinner in Vienna. Yes, we were spoiled

The Musikverein - famous concert hall we performed at in Vienna

Some musicians in a restaurant (Munich)

Good friend Ryan Bateman and I having dinner (Munich)

Site of the Munich Olympic park

Olympic swimming venue

Some locals we met at the concert in Vienna

Gorgeous lake near Nueschwanstein Castle (outside Munich)

Valley near Nueschwanstein Castle

Nueschwanstein Castle

Nueschwanstein Castle in the background

Another valley near the castle. Pretty country!

Where we performed our 3rd concert - the Hallenstadion (Zurich)

Outside the Hallenstadion in Zurich

A side street in Zurich

Another view within the Hallenstadion (famous hockey arena)

A Hallenstadion employee helping with the concert

We found the filming site of one of the scenes from Willy Wonka! (in Munich)

Our concert venue in Frankfurt - the Jahrhunderthalle

Inside the Jahrhunderthalle

Closer view of the Jahrhunderthalle

Just returned from seeing off-the-beaten-path areas next to this hall

Click to zoom in and see who's performed at this famous hall

A photo before the concert at the Jahrhunderthalle
The Heildelberg Castle in the distance (outside Frankfurt)

Part of the Heildelberg Castle

A view of Heidelberg from the top of the castle

Our tour guide for the castle. A very sweet lady.
Dennis and I had fun almost being devoured at the German Film Museum (Frankfurt)
Our performance hall in Brussels

Our performance hall in Brussels

A poster in the lobby of the hall

The Grand Palace (I think) in the main square in Brussels

Had to try a Belgian waffle in Belgium! Yummm
Some canal boats in Amsterdam

A canal in Amsterdam

Locating one of the oldest homes in Amsterdam

Ah! A yummy crepe dinner.

Had to try McDonalds to see how it compared to back home

One of the oldest windmills near Amsterdam

The "Oude Kerk" or "Old Church" - founded in the year 1213!

Some stained glass in the Old Church
Outside the performance hall in Rotterdam

The De Doelen where we performed. The acoustics were incredible.

In some main city plaza in Rotterdam. Not quite sure about the baby structure.

Our sound check at the De Doelen.

Lining up to go on stage

Outside view of the De Doelen
Welcome to France!

A group of us having dinner at the Paris hotel

Notre-Dame Cathedral. Incredible.

Another view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral

One of several Eiffel Tower shots

This was taken after a group shot of the choir and orchestra

We did some filming for the Paris Temple open house, forthcoming

Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur

Sainte-Chapelle. Incredible stained glass detail.



Additional links of interest about tour:
 

Sunday, July 24, 2016

MTC Week #134 - King's Singers & Tour Thoughts

The challenge before me in writing this blog post is that I have so much to say! But I think I'll divide all of my thoughts into two segments so as to not be overwhelmed and to not make this too long.

I'll start with the here and now and then go back in time.

This weekend we had the privilege of singing with the internationally acclaimed King's Singers as we presented our Pioneer Day Concert and our Music and the Spoken Word program this morning. A little bit about them:  The King's Singers were founded in 1968, named after the King's College in Cambridge, England. Since that time, singers from this ensemble have come and go. But today, the group is comprised of the following:
 

David Hurley (countertenor 1) – (since 1990)
Tim Wayne-Wright (countertenor 2) – (2009)
Julian Gregory (tenor) – (2014)
Chris Bruerton (baritone 1) – (2012)
Chris Gabbitas (baritone 2) – (2004)
Jonathan Howard (bass) – (2010)




We thoroughly enjoyed hearing them sing this weekend. For me, the highlight was hearing them sing a collection of primary songs arranged by Ryan Murphy. Truly delightful with tight harmonies and honest emotions! The older I grow, the more I come to appreciate these simple primary songs that remind me of my cherished beliefs and the things that matter the most.

As I observed David, Tim, Julian, Chris, Chris, and Jonathan during rehearsals and performances, I could tell by their mannerisms, facial expressions, and actions, that they were all quite different from one another. AND YET, they work together, seamlessly, as one. As they rely on, and count on, one another, their differences work for them and truly magical music is produced. 

Something to think about perhaps, in this world of increasing intolerance.

One last note on the concert. Several of the songs we sang made me think about our pioneer forefathers. And I just want to express my gratitude to them for all of their countless sacrifices and for pushing through the persecution and hardships with a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and a Heavenly Father who's love they felt and relied upon.

As for our European tour!

We were asked by the Church security team not to make any social media posts while we were actually ON tour. I'm sure you can think about reasons why that was a good idea, though it was difficult not to share experiences and thoughts real-time. That said, tour was amazing and I firmly believe the Choir and Orchestra were successful in accomplishing their overall goal: to help others of all faiths and backgrounds feel inspired, feel God's love, feel better, and feel happier. And for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who attended the concerts, to let them know they are certainly not forgotten--that the members of the Choir and Orchestra representing the Church came to them because we love them and are grateful for all they do. 

At the end of the day, that's what was most important. The sites were amazing, the halls we performed in were grand, and I plan to share some of those things next week. But overall, I'm just very thankful to have been a part of sharing light and peace through music to the people of Europe.

Until next time, God be with you.