TCATS #300 - #GenConf189 [What I Saw & Felt]

Post #300. 
Have I already spent 300 weeks in the choir? 
My wife, who is such an incredible support to me, would answer that question with an emphatic "yes"! (And in all seriousness, a big thanks to her for years of going to church without me, cheerfully enduring all of the choir conversation when we meet with friends and family, holding down the fort when I'm at regular rehearsals and all of the extra rehearsals, and helping me make sometimes difficult choir-related decisions. SHE IS THE BEST)

This weekend was the General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As such, the choir was busy preparing for that event by rehearsing not just on Thursday, as we normally do, but on Tuesday evening as well. There are plenty of official reports about Conference itself (HERE and HERE, just to name a few) and probably some mention of the Tabernacle Choir providing the music for three of the sessions. But rather than give a play by play or a general overview or a top ten list, I just want to write about a few things I saw and felt as a member of the Tabernacle Choir participating in this worldwide Church event.


>>I saw so many volunteers everywhere I looked. The hundreds of ushers, the florists (shout out to Andrew!), the camera technicians, the overall timing and production coordinators, the security personnel, those driving the electric carts to shuttle general authorities and their families, those preparing and serving food, those putting out water next to each chair on the stand...the list just goes on and on. I felt very grateful for all of them.
>>I saw a special needs young lady just a few rows from the front with family on either side of her. During one of the congregational hymns, her family helped her stand and swayed her arms to the pulse of the music. Perhaps she couldn't hear very well and they were helping her get a sense of how the music felt. At any rate, it brought a smile to my face.
>>I saw several general authorities heartily congratulate Elder Johnson after he gave his talk and made his way back to his seat. There were a couple of handshakes given to him, but hugs were the most common form of "job well done!". It was nice to witness such loving support--support that the men and women who lead the church give to each other often.
>>I saw Bishop Gérald Caussé come up after the last session of conference and give handshakes and hugs to Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, as well as taking the time to wave and smile to the choir and the organists. 
>>I felt overwhelmingly happy while singing "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (will be posted HERE soon) as the last song at the Sunday morning session. That song never disappoints. I just always pray while singing it that I won't cry too much (because that would cause a very running nose and a froggy throat--neither of which are conducive to singing!). 
>>I saw groups of choir members chatting during the breaks--smiling, laughing, and enjoying one another's company. In the choir loft, quiet talking before the sessions or rehearsals centered around various aspects of the music, how fortunate people felt to be there participating, funny mishaps from past conferences, and inquiries about things going on in each other's lives. 
>>I saw Nathan Wright. And I felt sad that this conference marked the end of his choir journey that started back in 1998. I gave him a big hug afterwards and wished him good luck in his future endeavors.
>>I felt grateful for a few particular friends in the choir, who's hugs, smiles, words of encouragement, fist-bumps after nailing a song, and excellent musicianship are soooo appreciated.
>>I felt pleased when our directors Mack and Ryan told us how happy they were with all of the work we put into conference and how well all the songs went. 
>>I felt grateful to dedicate the song "More Holiness Give Me" to my wife. Every conference, I dedicate one song to her (which mostly just means I think of her while I sing it--and she knows I'm thinking of her) and this time, since her yearlong goal for 2019 was have more holiness in every part of her life, she chose that one. Which of course fit perfectly.
>>I felt grateful, too, as I just sat there for a few minutes and looked out at the 21,000+ individuals who were seated in the Conference Center. As they eagerly awaited instruction on how they could improve their lives, I thought how amazing it is that there are so many people in this world, and each one is someone who God loves and treasures.  
>>Lastly, I felt eager to be more loving, kind, and supportive to everyone around me. 

My hope is that I can do just that. 

Until next time, God be with you. 

Hanging out with good friends at lunch!

 

TCATS #299 - Kind

Sometimes it's difficult to be kind.
I'd like to think I'm generally a very kind person. And I think I am. At least, that's what people say about me. But I've come to realize that often there's an adverb attached to my version of kind that I'm not so proud of. 

Selectively.

There were a few things that happened both at Thursday's rehearsal and Sunday's broadcast that caused me to think very critically of some individuals. There were even other people around me that felt the same way. And when you hear of people agreeing with you, there's a sense of justification that creeps in which seems to make it all OK. I mean, if so many people think a certain way, and I think that same way, then my opinions and feelings have been validated and I should just move on.

(Incidentally, I realized with some irony, that the Spoken Word today was on....you guessed it. KINDNESS. How's that for a slap in the face! God certainly must have a sense of humor.)

At any rate, I'm still working through these "justifiable" unkind feelings and I realize that such a process can take time. But I think going through the process is worth it. After all, harboring unkind feelings does absolutely nothing for the individuals who are at the center of the unkindness. They have NO IDEA I'm thinking those things. But I know. And those feelings do nothing but hurt me. So I will work to resolve because it's the right thing to do.

There was one pretty cool thing that happened today. One of my best friends in the choir, Ryan Bateman, usually sits about three or four rows behind me. Which means that we never sit together for anything. What's interesting is that I used to sit next to him all the time back during my first couple of years when I was on those farther-to-the-back rows. But then I was moved down and our sitting next to each other days were over. Today, though, due to various people missing and the way things worked out, Ryan got to sit right next to me. 

It was a happy day. 

Ryan leaves the choir soon. We're the same age, but he's been in for 20 years--having started his choir journey quite young. So I'm glad we had a little reunion today and in all reality, it will probably be the last. 

But we'll be optimistic. :)

Until next time, God be with you.

Ryan and Ryan

Singing "How Excellent Thy Name" today

 

TCATS #298 - Choir & Orchestra Record....the Avengers?

Once or twice a year, the choir and orchestra go through the process of recording songs that will eventually make their way to something official like a CD or a digital track you'd find on Spotify. In all reality, we record each week as we do Music & the Spoken Word! That program gets sent over the airwaves (TV/Radio) and over the internet for thousands to listen to. But, this particular type of recording I'm talking about is very different. Different because it takes A LONG TIME. Long as in about 90 min for just one 4-minute song. 

Yep. Grueling. 

Full of patience and even more patience. 

BUT, the reward of course, is listening to it later when the editing team has done it's thing and it's as near perfect as we can make it. 

This week on Tuesday and Thursday, we got to record some songs from movie soundtracks---which is a huge change of genre from what we normally record. I can't tell you all of the songs that will be on the forthcoming album (I actually don't know them all yet), but since the public listened to us practice a few tracks for this recording two Thursdays ago, I assume it's safe to say what those tracks were. One was from Prince of Egypt called "Will You Believe". One was from Frozen, called "Eatnemen Vuelie". And the other was a medley from The Avengers!

Regarding that latter song, all I've got to say is WOW. Sure, the choir had lots of ooooing and awwwwing and ohhhhing. But the orchestra stole the show! They did an incredible job playing their part in having this medley come to life. It sounded like were in the middle of the movie with the various avengers doing what they do: saving the planet from the bad guys. 

I have really loved various (more traditional) songs we've recorded in the past. Their inherent spiritual power and message are soul-stirring and emotionally impacting. In fact, some of my greatest moments in the choir have been singing those songs. But doing this Avengers piece was just really unique and exciting and... FUN. After it was over, our private choir Facebook group just filled up with comment after comment about how great it was and how much everyone just loved listening to the orchestra knock it out of the ball park.

Speaking of fun, I had to laugh at some of the choir members who showed up Thursday night with some, shall we say, modified attire. Two baritones a few rows down from me had signs on their backs--one labeling himself as "THOR", the other as "DR. STRANGE". Haha!  

Anyway, it was quite the week. 
Now to turn our attention to upcoming Conference, followed by the Christmas Concert.  

Until next time, God be with you.

Singing "Let Us All Press On" today

 

TCATS #297 - How It Was

I thought that instead of highlighting a certain theme or focusing on one aspect of my Tabernacle Choir journey this week, I'd just tell you how it was. Sound OK? 

Thursday night we returned to the Tabernacle after a summer-long hiatus over in the Conference Center. It was nice to be back, honestly. While I enjoy the nicer temperatures over at the Conference Center, I much prefer the Tabernacle mostly because I feel more connected to the people who come and listen to us sing. They are closer to me--I can see their faces. I can also get a better sense of the feelings they're having as they (hopefully) internalize the message we're so hoping they receive.

The rehearsal itself was pretty normal. We started with a heartfelt prayer offered by a choir member, and then Mack took us through each of the songs we were singing on Sunday, one by one, stopping here and there to correct us. We tapped, we penciled in corrections and important things to remember, and we tried to be patient with each other and the process. Mack turned around to those who had come to watch us around 8:15 and welcomed them, inviting them to come back Sunday morning to watch the performance of Music & the Spoken Word. At that point, the Orchestra left the stage to go home and the choir members remained for another 75 minutes to start work on some pieces we're recording next week: When You Believe (from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack); and The Avengers (obviously from The Avengers movie soundtrack). The former is one of my favorites and the latter was simply fun to sing (no words--just lots of ooohing and oooing and ahhhing). 

Our carpool left fairly quickly after rehearsal was over and we enjoyed talking about the night and several other topics as we headed home.

This morning, Willy and I drove in together talking about the events of each others' weekend, and once arrived, we changed our clothes, got our music, and headed up to the loft to get ready for rehearsal. Along the way we said hello to fellow choir members and spent what little time we had before things started, looking at the pieces that were to be memorized for today. I was most worried about the 2nd verse of I Sing the Mighty Power of God just because the lyrics just weren't gelling in my head. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one as Willy was having the same issue, and Dave, sitting next to me, was also struggling. It's a strange thing going into a worldwide broadcast knowing that the potential for messing up the words is a real thing. And the poor tenors and basses on the front row--they are probably even more concerned because those operating the cameras often come right up to them for a very personal close-up! 

We rehearsed for about an hour after no announcements today and an opening prayer. It went pretty smoothly I'd say. So much so that Mack was ready for the run through a whole ten minutes early. So he informed the "people behind the scenes" and they prepped for an early run through--just as people started pouring into the Tabernacle. 

I enjoyed the run through and was able to get the words OK. (Now if I could just get them in the live broadcast!) While not on camera, my eyes occasionally wandered to those coming in and once again, I was grateful to see their faces. During the break, I enjoyed some conversation with Mark and Ryan and Jason, as we discussed everything from marathons to marriage to chocolate. We then got in line to get some shine killer applied to our foreheads and faces, after which we made a trip to the bathroom and then back up to the loft to do some last minute reviewing of the 2nd verse. As I looked at the audience again, I was amazed at how full the Tabernacle had become. There really was hardly a seat left.  

As the broadcast began, my eyes locked with one of the camera techs who was sitting behind a banister in front of me, and he smiled as if to say "Here we go again!" I smiled back and then my eyes focused on Mack and my task at hand. There was lots of good music today, but my favorite piece was Love Divine, All Loves Excelling--which fortunately, we get to sing at Conference in a few weeks. Hooray! As we ended with that song (oh wait! I forgot to mention that I was able to recall the 2nd verse to that one song!), we sang one last number to the audience (God Be With You) and then sat down, feeling grateful for another opportunity we had had to sing our testimonies. With only a few minutes break, Mack got us started on our extra rehearsal today (75 minutes) in the which we again prepped for our recording session next week. This time I recorded the songs on my phone for a fellow choir member who has been gone--which I plan to send to him later today. Hopefully they will help him get ready for next Tuesday when the recording session will commence. 

There you have it. A day in the life....

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #296 - Happy Birthday Pres. Nelson!

President Russell M. Nelson knows how to do a birthday right!

The choir and orchestra spent Wednesday night and Thursday night prepping for the festivities, with the actual Birthday Celebration being live-broadcast Friday evening. You can read official news reports of this grand event HERE, HERE, and HERE. My "personal observation" report is below and includes the top six reasons why this was one of my favorite concerts to-date.

Ready? 
Here we go...

6. The concert was one-night only. And it was being broadcast live. All of which meant we needed to do our best and only had one chance to do so. Pressure on!

5. The songs themselves were all ones I really loved both musically and lyrically. It's rare when that happens--so I felt especially excited to perform and put my whole heart and soul into it.

4. It was interesting to see the four guest artists rehearse and prepare. Watching them in this way is always an opportunity for the choir and orchestra to kind of get a glimpse into their personality. I find myself surprised sometimes, when I see how easy-going some are, and how perfectionistically demanding others are. How some are so warm and just want to share their love through hugs, and how others work to maintain professional boundaries.

3.  The person we were honoring was, no doubt, worthy of every accolade. President Nelson is an incredible man who has done so much good in the world on so many different levels. And even though the focus was on him, and singing songs that were his favorites, everything tied back to Christ or attributes of Christ that President Nelson exemplifies and that we should work to exemplify as well.

2. Seeing President Eyring react to the rousing upbeat number that The Bonner Family performed. He was leaning out of his chair so far that I was afraid he'd topple out at any moment! His face had the biggest smile on it, and his whole body was just moving to the beat. I half-joked after the concert to my bass buddies that maybe we'd get more such music in our local congregations! Haha. Nice thought, but probably not.

1.  The song Let Us All Press On (arranged by Richard Elliott). As mentioned, I loved all of the songs on the program, but this one, which we ended with--well, there was just something about it. I felt very "spiritually tingly" throughout the whole number--and especially at the end as we all swelled in volume and emotion: "As we do what's right, we have no need to fear! For the Lord, our Helper, will ever be near. In the days of trial, His Saints He will cheer and prosper the cause of truth!"

If you missed the event, you can watch it HERE.

Until next time, God be with you. 

The Bonner Family, singing their Hallelujah Prophet Medley

Nathan Pacheco and Donnie Osmond after singing "The Prayer"

Jenny Oaks Baker and Family Four, performing a Sound of Music Medley

Gentri performing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

The basses singing Let Us All Press On

 

Pres Nelson thanking everyone

TCATS #295 - Of the UN, Recording, & a Suprise Visitor

The choir had a busier week than usual, beginning on Tuesday evening as we put on a mini-concert for the people involved with the United Nations conference--which was held in Salt Lake City this year. The concert consisted of five songs perfectly chosen to highlight the overall goals of the UN: Fill the World with Love, What a Wonderful World, One Person (Can Change the World), Hold On, and Climb Every Mountain. We ended with our signature piece, God Be With You, and received kind words and clapping afterwards. It was a nice event!

Following the concert, we went right into a recording session from about 7:45 to 9:15. I can't talk about exactly what we were recording, but I can tell you that the excerpts of songs were less than 30 notes, total (for the choir). Did it really take an hour and a half to record 30 note? Yes, yes it did :)  President M. Russell Ballard was in the recording booth listening to, and observing the process, and later mentioned to us that he was surprised at how long it all took. 

Speaking of President Ballard, he came to our rehearsal on Thursday night, stepped up to the conducting podium, and not only thanked us for our recording efforts, but asked if he could offer the opening prayer. The prayer was recorded and we're waiting to see if we can let others read the transcript. But I'll just say it was a neat prayer and it was clear how much the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appreciates the uplifting and inspiring music that we get to share with the world each week. They love us and support us and are grateful for the time and efforts we put into this unique calling. Special experience, to be sure.

Well, today's extra rehearsal after the broadcast starts the first of many extra rehearsals to come. Probably for each Sunday for the rest of the year! We have President Nelson's Birthday Celebration this coming week, then General Conference, and then we start extra rehearsals for the Christmas Concert starting the week after conference. The choir "train ride" rarely slows down during the year, but typically when September hits, the train ride increases in speed and includes plenty of twists and turns and hills. 

I hope to enjoy it all. Because someday, I'll have to get off, never to get back on.

Until next time, God be with you. 

 

TCATS #294 - Leaving the 99

I was grateful to be with my choir friends Thursday night for our weekly rehearsal, but I skipped the Music & Spoken Word broadcast today to attend my home ward at 9:00AM. Why, you ask? So that I could enjoy taking the Sacrament with my family and hear my daughter speak. Rebekah just returned from serving a mission to Birmingham, England, and today she was given the opportunity to share her testimony of Jesus Christ and share some experiences she had during the past 18 months. As part of the talk she gave, she included a testimony from "Joe". Joe had a very messed up life before he met my daughter and her companion. He was on drugs, an alcoholic, and ready to give up on life. But as learned about the gospel and how much his Savior loved him, he was able to successfully break free from those destructive habits and today enjoys membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, he's been sober for well over a year now and is truly loving the new life he has. Rebekah mentioned that if her entire 18 months had been spent just to help Joe, it would have been worth it a hundred times over. (See picture above)

Anyway, it was a great meeting and I am grateful for all that she did to help the people of England (and help each of one of her companions) come unto Christ. 

As for the choir, we will all reconvene at the Conference Center in two-days time to do a mini-concert for the individuals who make up the United Nations.  Following the concert, we'll do a little recording (top secret!), and then call it a night--only to reconvene again Thursday for our normal rehearsal and prep for Sunday morning. 

Never a dull moment!

Until next time, God be with you.

Looks like my friend Wes took "my" seat today (middle row, right of center). Grateful for all these guys. While I missed them, I didn't miss having to wear the white coat. (haha)