MTC #189 - Abide With Me

'Twas a fairly standard week for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Those actually don't happen very often, so we enjoy them when we get them. 

A few things I wanted to mention. . .

First, we were released from rehearsal about 20 min early on Thursday for our annual ice cream social. Nothing too grandiose, but it's nice to take opportunities to be social with choir members instead of always singing with them. So many people to get to know. And, of course, who would ever want to pass up free ice cream?

Second, our director Mack Wilberg debuted an original piece today on Music & the Spoken Word. It was titled "The Tree of Life". While it's not my favorite by him, I still enjoyed singing it and particularly liked the words as they likened our life's journey to going through Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Third, my favorite piece today was one performed by The Bells on Temple Square. With beautiful accompaniment by the orchestra, their rendition of Abide With Me was so, so pretty. You can take a few minutes to listen to it HERE.

Lastly, the choir is getting very eager to learn where they'll be going on tour next year. The East Coast tour of 2015 was announced in April of 2014. And the European tour of 2016 was announced in July of 2015. So, you can see that since it's now August, we're expecting it to come any day now. We have been given one hint as to whether it will be somewhere in the US, or somewhere outside the US (or a combination of both), but I can't comment on that until such things are officially shared by the Choir organization. At any rate, we're thinking the destination will be announced fairly soon.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #188 - Another "One" Story

After Music & the Spoken Word was over this morning, President Jarrett came up on stage, followed by several other people who stood and faced the choir. With some emotion, Pres. Jarrett then told us that back in 2007, when the choir was on tour, it gave a "concert for one" at a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The "one" was a woman who had just been diagnosed with cancer and was going through her second round of chemotherapy. She and her family were understandably devastated at the realities of cancer and the potential for a shortened life. 

That woman was one of the ones standing on stage, and as she took the microphone, she told us how thankful she was for what the choir had done for her so many years ago. She is now cancer-free. And as she thought back to one of the darkest periods of life, she is grateful that music of the choir played a role in securing hope and faith that chemo would work and she'd be able to get through the trials she faced. Her husband, and parents, also on stage, were grateful as well. 

I was not with the Choir in 2007, but I'm grateful to belong to an organization of 700+ people who recognize the worth of "the one". Week in and week out, we hope that "the one" is reached by our music and message, and whoever that person is, he or she finds the hope and strength to carry on, and the peace that comes from a Father in Heaven who loves each one of His children.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #187 - Collin

Since this past week with the choir could be labeled "business as usual", I just want to take the opportunity to briefly post about someone who really impresses me. His name is Collin. He's not a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, or even a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square or Bells on Temple Square. Rather, he's a member of the stage crew. And a unique one, at that.

The Choir and Orchestra, and everyone else involved with the "choir family" relies on the stage crew A LOT. They have a big job--a rather heavy job--as some might say. Each week there are chairs and stands and microphones to put out and take down. They make sure the podium is adjusted correctly. They make sure safety barriers line the stage to keep us all from accidentally falling off. They also wheel the piano in and back. And when the Bells join us, their job multiplies at least three fold as there are mats to lay out, tables to put up, and table clothes to spread. And, I can guarantee they do much more than I can visibly see or describe since a lot of their work is backstage. 

So what makes Collin unique? Aside from probably being the youngest stage crew member, he has one hand that doesn't quite function fully. So much of the help he provides, he does so with one hand. 

If you stop and think about that a moment, you'll realize what courage and faith that must take. Carrying this, putting up that, adjusting this, unfolding that. You'd think a major prerequisite to performing stage crew work would be the use of both arms and hands. But Collin pulls it off with just one--and does a fantastic job at it. I see him there nearly every Sunday, serving along side the rest of our great stage crew. And often I think, if Collin can do what he does, certainly I can do the things in my life that I feel unqualified, at times, to do. 

So thanks Collin. I've never talked to you and I'm sure you don't know me. But I sincerely appreciate your example of faith and devotion. Keep up the good work!

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #185 - Music for a Summer Evening '17

 
Friday and Saturday night, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, along with special guest star Alex Boyé, combined their talents to present a Music for a Summer Evening (aka "Pioneer Day Concert"). Rehearsals for this event, for the Choir at least, began on June 17th and continued each Thursday night (after rehearsing for Music & the Spoken Word), and after each Sunday morning broadcast. 

What can I say about the concerts? Well, they were great!. The standard pioneer-related songs, the spirituals, a few songs from the 50s/60s, and some fun Disney songs made for a fun and memorable evening both nights. While the Conference Center had plenty of empty seats, those who came were incredibly enthusiastic and let their appreciation be known by lots of clapping and several standing ovations. 

My favorite moments?

Glad you asked.

I had several, but to name just a few.... I thought Alex Boyé did a fantastic job with all of the songs the choir sang with him, and accompanied him on. His solo number was moving, but the one that moved me to near tears was "Walk With Me". I don't think the Choir has ever sung that song so perfectly, nor do I think Alex has ever performed it like he did Saturday night. He, himself, had so many tears of emotion afterwards that he had to wipe his eyes three or four times before being able to sing the next song. I also enjoyed the two songs from The Lion King. I can't say it's my favorite musical or movie. But "He Lives in You", and "The Circle of Life" are powerful songs and the infusion of African elements--along with the songs' musicality and lyrics--make for a unique and moving listening/singing experience. Before singing "The Circle of Life", Alex gave a moving and humbling account of why he can often be seen with a white streak of paint under his right eye. Apparently back when many Africans were sold as slaves and shipped to various parts of the world, families were often broken up as a result. The mothers, though, came up with the idea of "marking" their children with unique symbols so that one day, should they be fortunate enough to come in contact with their children again, they'd be able to recognize them through those unique symbols. Alex dedicated the song to all mothers who work so hard to keep their families together. Having that introduction made singing that song extra special. 

The last song I wanted to comment on is a song from Pete's Dragon (the 1970s version) called "Brazzle

Dazzle Day". It was a fun piece and Ryan Murphy's arrangement of it was perfect. It brought back nice memories of seeing that movie as a kid and of enjoying much simpler times. The lyrics just made me want to climb aboard Elliott the dragon and fly high, high above the clouds.

(While the song we sang from Moana wasn't my favorite, it does deserve honorable mention only because I woke up to it every morning in my head for the past few weeks. Consider the coconut!)

If you weren't able to catch the concert, you're in luck! You can watch it via YouTube, HERE. Enjoy.

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #184 - Mark

There are several things I could talk about this week related to Choir, including our upcoming concert on Friday and Saturday. But the one thing that touched me the most, happened on Thursday night near the end of our rehearsal. 

Usually during rehearsals, around 8:40p or so, Mack turns to the audience and greets them--thanking them for coming, inviting them to Music & the Spoken Word on Sunday, and introducing any special guests in attendance. As this routine played out Thursday night, one of the guests introduced was a young man named Mark. Apparently Mark is a long time fan of the choir, and takes every opportunity he can to see them on TV, listen to them on the radio, or come watch them in person. As Mark stood while he was introduced, it was clear that he was very happy to be there. And his parents, sitting on either side of him, were all smiles as well. 

The "make-your-heart-happy" experience doesn't end there, though.

A little bit later, when Ryan Murphy took over conducting us, Mack went down to the audience seats to observe as he normally does. But then a short time later, he got up, and walked down the aisle to where Mark was sitting. When he reached Mark's row, he extended his hand to Mark and (presumably) thanked him for coming. I'm not sure all of the words that were exchanged, but I could imagine how happy this young man was for the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to take a few minutes to acknowledge him. 

A small experience, yes. A significant one?  Indeed. 

It reminded me of when the Savior, on many occasions, administered to "the one." There were times he addressed large groups, to teach them, and express His love to them. But there were plenty of times that He took the opportunity to reach out personally to the individual. He knew each of them. He loved each one of them. And He loves each one of us, too. 

Until next time, God be with you.

MTC #183 - In God is Our Trust

Our program this morning was full of patriotic songs to pay tribute to this country we live in, and to those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. What's really interesting, is that despite being part of this wonderful program and singing six great songs (including two of my favorites "Hymn for America", and "America the Beautiful"), the one that moved me the most today was one that my temporary ward sang in Sacrament Meeting: "The Star Spangled Banner." While the words to the first verse are all-too familiar to everyone, the other three verses are worthy of being sung much more often than they are. I particularly love the last verse: 

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Out of nowhere, my emotions just got the best of me as I pondered these words. Interestingly enough, my wife had a similar experience when she sang this song today, too. We half joked that if more people in our country knew this particular verse of the song, plenty would be offended at the references to God, trusting in Him, and giving Him credit for the birth and preservation of our nation. Perhaps they might even launch a campaign to remove that verse from the song. Such is the world we live in. But I can tell you that there's a reason why this is our national anthem, and one of those reasons is so we can give credit where credit is due--even if that credit is found in a verse that is rarely sung. 

I'm grateful for a God who has, indeed, blessed this nation, has preserved it, and has protected it. As long as there are those in this country who stand up for a cause that is just, and rely upon a Father who is eager to bless, I have no doubt we'll continue to enjoy the freedoms we do, today.

Switching subjects completely, I just wanted to end today's post with the fact that applications for singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are now being accepted. So for those of you who live within 100 miles of Salt Lake City, and feel you want to dedicate your love of singing to a very just cause, now's the time! I can't say it will be easy, and I can't say that you'll be accepted in. But the age-old adage "You never know unless you try" is worth considering. Don't you think?

Until next time God be with you.

MTC #182 - Of Guest Artists, Cancer Research Centers, and a New Hymn Arrangement

This past week, a couple of interesting choir events occurred. First, it was

announced on Monday who our guest artist would be for the upcoming Pioneer Day Concert. As you've probably heard by now, Christopher Jackson (who played George Washington in the hit musical HAMILTON) is the one who will be joining us July 14-15 as we present an evening of song in the Conference Center. Tickets for that event sold out in less than a day, although there are ALWAYS seats available for those in the standby line. So if you'd like to come, and don't have a ticket, come a bit early to stand in line and you'll get in.

The second event happened on Wednesday. Some members of the choir (the event wasn't mandatory since it was in the middle of the day) participated in the dedication of The Primary Children’s and Families’ Cancer Research Center, funded in part by Jon Huntsman. I was not able to attend, but aside from it being a very hot day to stand in the sun and sing, those who participated were grateful to be there. At Thursday night's rehearsal, Mack Wilberg gave his

thanks to those who participated--particularly for enduring the heat. He also shared part of a thank you note that President Uchtdorf sent to him, in the which he gave his heartfelt appreciation for service rendered. He also said that he was tempted to ask God for some clouds to cover the sun temporarily, so those in the heat could have some relief. But after pondering that, he finally concluded "Who am I to tempt God?" :) We all had a good laugh.

So my heart went out to the newer choir members this week as we sang four pieces memorized today, and will have four pieces memorized for next week, too. And in addition, most of the songs on the Pioneer Day concert will be memorized. I especially cringed when Mack told them they'd need to memorize "Cohan's Big Three" (or HERE) which is a collection of patriotic songs with not only a bazillion words in it, but that includes a very fast tempo through much of it. I remember having to memorize that one myself, and it took considerable time. That said though, all this memorizing is just part of the package deal. It's part of the calling to be a Mormon Tabernacle Choir member. Besides, it's so much more rewarding when you get to sing a song memorized. You are free to focus more on the words and inject the music with feelings and emotions.

The last thing I wanted to mention was that Mack debuted a new hymn arrangement today: "It is Well With My Soul". The hymn's words were written by Horatio G. Spafford, who wrote them out of grief, hope, and faith following a terrible tragedy. I'm glad I got to sing it today, to not only help share it with our listeners today, but to honor Horatio's ability to overcome his trials and continue forward in faith. It is a beautiful song, and one that reminds all of us that something great can come from tragedy.

So that was the week! Never a dull moment.

Until next time, God be with you.

The largest audience for Music & the Spoken Word that I've ever been a part of. Many of them were associated with the Millennial Choir who had congregated in SLC this past week.