MTC #142 - Being a Team Player

It's funny how life is so full of irony.

Yesterday morning, I was trying very hard to get my nine year-old excited about his soccer game. He simply didn't want to go, and the harder I tried to convince him, the worse the situation seemed to get. I spoke of his responsibility to the team and how he'd be letting his fellow team members down if he didn't show up and play. I reminded him of all the time he had put into practicing and how he had some real talent in soccer. In a grand desperation attempt, I finally told him that if he didn't go play, he'd have to explain to the coach why he made that decision and why he chose to not be a team player.

Turns out, I needed that counsel just as much as my son did.

This morning was a VERY hard rehearsal for me. I was tired and became quickly annoyed at having to stop seemingly every five notes to try and fix a pitch problem (many of those problems being with the bass section). I love our associate director, Ryan Murphy, and he was doing exactly what he needed to be doing in trying to prepare us for the broadcast. But I was just struggling. And then I just wanted to yell to no one in particular "Why, oh why, do we always have so many problems singing in tune every freakin' week?!" 

As I was wallowing in my frustration and poor attitude, I suddenly remembered the talk with my son the day before. And then I realized that all my talk about being a team player and living up to my commitment to be part of a team, applied directly to me in that moment (and certainly in moments to come). The choir was my team, and Ryan was my coach for the day, and I needed to have an attitude adjustment so that we, as a team, could sing praises to God in a way that would please Him, and inspire the audience. 

So, just as my son eventually got out of the car and joined his team to play (even scoring a goal!), I made the decision to join my choir team--with more patience and faith this morning. 

And that decision made all the difference.

Until next time, God be with you.

My choir "team" today

 

MTC #141 - Seeing People for Who They Really Are

As today commemorates the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, the choir's message in both song and spoken word was one of hope, peace, and rebuilding. The program wasn't specifically a 9/11 "special", but its themes were certainly applicable to the fallout from tragic event, including the songs we sang such as "Hold On", "My Song in the Night", "If the Savior Stood Beside Me", and "Amazing Grace." My favorite of the bunch, musically and lyrically, was "My Song in the Night". Along with 9/11 being a terrifying "night", we all have individual tragedies and hardships that make up our nights. I love the lyrics to this song which speak to getting through the nights:

O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night
Come to us with Thy tender love, my soul's delight,
Unto Thee, O Lord, in affliction I call,
My comfort by day and my song in the night.
O why should I wander, an alien from Thee,
Or cry in the desert, Thy face to see,
My comfort and joy, my soul's delight,
O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night

(I just have to add, too, that musically, this song is near perfect in expressing the meaning of the lyrics. My favorite part, musically, is the last 20 seconds or so. For me, it's as if those last 20 seconds represent us going through a trial, finding hope, experiencing fear, but in the end, being filled with peace.)

What I want to say, though, about tragedies, is that even though we desperately wish they never happen, it's always good to note what positive things come from them. I remember after 9/11 feeling like I saw people a little differently. And I remember hearing story after story after story of individuals who also saw their fellow brothers and sisters differently. The stories talked of kindness, service, love, lifting, and sympathizing. It was like people were seeing other people for who they really were. For who they really are. 

I remember having similar feelings after a wind storm hit my town of Centerville back in 2011. Amidst all of the damage incurred by the storm, people were out helping others in the days that followed. Church meetings were even cancelled so that individuals and families could go assist those in need. For a time, normal things that typically comprised daily life, were suspended. And I remember having a good feeling inside that even though a tragedy had occurred, we were all better because of it. Better because we had received a mini wake-up call that helped us to see that the most important thing in this life is how we treat people--how we love people. 

I hope that if there's anything we can take away from remembering 9/11, it's a resolve to look at the people around us as our brothers and sisters and be a little more kind, patient, and loving in our interactions with them. 

God is counting on us to do just that.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #140 - Odds & Ends #35

No particular theme for this post, just several things I wanted to mention.

First, the men of the choir were given a little rebuke today by our beloved director, Mack. He mentioned that for some time now, the men, in general, have needed to pay more attention to their facial expressions while on camera. What he's seeing doesn't reflect any energy or excitement or any sort of positive emotion that he'd expect to see from a member of this choir. It was a cause for reflection and a personal asking of "Is it I?"  I can't say if every bass and tenor took the invitation to do better, to heart, but I'm hoping so. As Mack also mentioned, "people listen with their eyes." And I can certainly see what he's saying. Eyes, in particular, have a way of letting another person know what you're thinking and feeling. And if we can keep the eyes bright (and the eyebrows a little raised), I think it'll go a long way to expressing how we feel about the heavenly music we're singing. It reminds me of the scripture in Luke which says: "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light."

Second, we had a special guest show up at our rehearsal on Thursday. I probably shouldn't mention who it was because I don't really know what part he will play (if any) in a future performance the Choir will do. Suffice it to say, when my teenage daughter found out, she was all smiles.

Third, we did some recording after the broadcast today, and shoot! I probably can't talk about that either. Man! All the information we have to keep to ourselves before we're given the OK to share... It was a pretty fun recording session though (as much as recording sessions can be fun) given the nature of the piece. Which I'll just say was a little bit DIFFERENT than normal Mormon Tabernacle Choir music. An original arrangement from a musical. And that is about all I can say. :)

Fourth, while we have enjoyed singing in the Conference Center, it's time to go back to our home at the Tabernacle. Starting Thursday, we'll take our places there for rehearsal and will continue to be there until we start dress rehearsals for the Christmas show. Did I mention Christmas? Wow. I guess it isn't THAT far away.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #139 - Of Jenny Oaks Baker and of Recapturing

The past few weeks, the choir has enjoyed some level of normalcy as we really haven't had anything "extra" to perform or rehearse for. And, far be it from me to speak for the whole choir, but I think we've all enjoyed the mini-break! It's been nice to spend additional time at home and tend to other responsibilities. For the next couple of weeks however, we'll be doing some recording and then it's time, once again, to prepare the music for General Conference in October.

So it goes.

Today we were delighted to have on stage with us Jenny Oaks Baker, who is a Grammy nominated violin artist and who has released an amazing thirteen albums. I confess that I have not listened to any of those albums, but I was very impressed with her performances today. I think the thing that impressed me the most, aside from her obvious violin talent, was the spirit she brought with her. I just felt like it was important to her to connect with the Choir and connect with the audience. And through those connections, she was able to portray her love of inspiring music and her love of Jesus Christ. 

Turning to a different topic, I wanted to end my thoughts by mentioning this idea of "recapturing". I've mentioned before from time to time that it's easy, as a choir member, to sort of get into this habit or rhythm and start taking things for granted. The magic of performing and sharing a talent becomes a little bit ordinary. I realized on Thursday evening at rehearsal that I had descended into this state of being of which I've been describing. After rehearsing, it dawned on me that I hadn't even prayed for our visitors that evening! I always pray for them. I pray that as they listen to the music, their hearts will be lifted and they'll leave feeling happier and inspired. I've always felt a responsibility and an opportunity to pray for them. And then I started thinking of others things that I've let slip. 

Fortunately, today I felt like I had recaptured the magic and ascended back up to where I wanted to be. There was one point in the broadcast I even had this humbling surreal moment when I realized where I was, what I was doing, and that my family was back home watching on TV for me. And as I looked out at the audience, I was so grateful they came. A prayer went out to them and to others who would be listening throughout the world. 

We have the opportunity each day to recapture the magic and wonder of this or that. The magic of being a friend, a parent, a spouse, a coworker, or just one of those nice people you interact with when you're out and about. I hope we can embark on a recapturing mission and experience, again, what we may have temporarily lost or forgotten.

Until next time, God be with you. 

Bass section singing Down to the River

 

MTC #138 - To Observe and Learn

Due to a variety of reasons, I didn't attend Thursday's rehearsal. Which meant, of course, that my part in Sunday's broadcast switched from singing, to observing. 

As I sat out near the audience, I observed the following:

1) all of the ushers who come every Sunday to help people find their seats and direct them on where to go and where not to go. Yes, I can see them all when I am in the choir loft singing. But down in the audience seats, I can see their faces, I can see their smiles. I can see their devotion. They are one part of the whole Music & the Spoken Word experience, but an important part.

2) the faces and countenances of the choir and orchestra members up on the big screen. Some looked tired and worn. Others fumbled a bit with the words of the memorized piece. Some seemed to just be going through the routine. However, the majority reflected happiness in their eyes and a smile in their countenance and they seemed genuinely happy to be testifying to the things they believe in through music.

3) the Spoken Word which had to do with worrying. This hit home as I have many worries and many concerns. Some even tied to my choir experience. I was grateful for the advice to call upon God in the very moment you're needing help. And grateful for the counsel to put aside those worries you have no control over and focus on the ones you can act upon to make things better.

4)  the miracle of how it all comes together. From an observer view, I can see all of the cameras, the stage crew, the security people, the monitors, the lighting behind the choir, and the people/nature scenes that were chosen to accompany the songs being sung and the music being played. With everything in place and all the parts and pieces working together, it happens.

I missed singing today and the camaraderie of the people I sing with. But I was grateful to play the part of the observer and gain some perspectives I can think about in the weeks and months to come.

Until next time, God be with you. 

 

MTC Week #137 - Of Decoding the Number Board and a Perfect Program

Keeping music organized is always a challenge for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Our librarians can certainly attest to that fact more than anyone else. (A big shout out to them--thanks for all you do!) I'm not exactly sure how many pieces of music are in the library, but certainly hundreds and hundreds. Each piece of music has a sticker in the upper right corner. And on that sticker is the catalog number, along with the singer's number (for example, I'm B-108, the B representing my part designation--bass). 

Each Sunday morning when we arrive at 7:25 for rehearsal, there's a music stand holding up a number board which tells us what order to put our music in, which pieces are memorized, and where the breaks occur. Here's a look:

The white diamond before the number means that piece will be put back into our blue (archive) folder after the broadcast is over. The red square means that is where the organ solo will take place. The yellow square is when Lloyd Newell will give the Spoken Word. And the yellow square under the beginning sequence of a set of numbers means that particular piece is to be sung memorized. Seeing this board helps us get right ready to go and allows Mack and Ryan more time to rehearse the music.

As a side note, there's been some speculation that one day we MIGHT use an electronic device (like an iPad) to read our music from (and mark it up, I assume). Our guest artists, the King's Singers, who were with us recently, each have an iPad they use when they rehearse and perform. Whether the Choir follows suit one day, I'm not sure. But a possibility. 


To end, I just wanted to express how great today's line-up was. To be honest, I typically like about every piece we sing in the choir, to one degree or another. But this set of five I really enjoyed. Give Said the Little Stream (Ryan Murphy's masterful arrangement); Bro. James' Air (a personal favorite); Somewhere (from West Side Story); Look at the World (a favorite by John Rutter); and Sing! (which has a fantastic organ solo). How grateful I am for music that uplifts and inspires. (And if you have a few minutes, you're invited to click on one of those links above)

And I almost forgot. I got to sing next to Greg today--a friend who came into the MTC with me and who I haven't sat next to for probably over a year. I guess the planets aligned!

Until next time, God be with you!

MTC Week #136 - Achieving Through Passion

Today's spoken word was all about the Olympic athletes and what we can learn from them as the 2016 Summer Olympics begin. Quoting from Lloyd Newell:

"Every Olympic athlete is a living reminder that if we can rise when we fall, pick ourselves up when life knocks us down, and continue on when it seems easier to quit, we will see in time that winning is not as much about talent or luck as it is about grit and perseverance. Winners and champions just keep trying. This thought is expressed well in the Olympic creed: “The most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well.'"

Worthy message to ponder.


To add to the whole Olympic theme, one of the songs we sang this morning was "Call of the Champions", the Winter Olympics 2002 theme song as composed by John Williams. 

On the way home, I was asking my friend Ben if John Williams was still actively composing, and, how old he was. He did some internet searching and quickly discovered that he was 84 years old and still composing. In fact, he just composed the score to the 2016 film "BFG". 

I was amazed. Here's someone who is still so passionate about composing music that even at 84, he continues to combine what's inside him with inspiration from above to create these beautiful and amazing scores of music that benefit so many.

I personally, have never felt like I had a lot of passion towards anything. And maybe you feel the same way. But then I thought, "Well Ryan, what is it that you really WANT in life?" Maybe that's just another way to define passion. And what I want is to be a good husband, a good friend, a good dad and one who is kind to people. 

What is your passion? What do you really WANT in life? Are you succeeding?

Questions only you can answer and act upon.

Until next time, God be with you.