TCATS #342 - Perspective Reboot

There's some irony in the fact that for the first three months of this year, I was actually struggling internally to fully appreciate the Tabernacle Choir and maintain my enthusiasm to sing with the choir each week. I guess you could say I was in need of a serious attitude adjustment, a fresh perspective, and a complete reboot. Things had become typical and usual. Rehearsals had become tiresome with my eyes wandering to my watch, often, to see how much time we had left. As we performed song A, B, and C for the umpteenth time, it was a serious chore to keep my head and heart in the right place. I still enjoyed the social aspects of seeing many fellow singers who I had come to love and appreciate, but if I had to hear "Basses! You've GOT to sing higher." one more time, I thought I was going to lose it!

I think the past four+ months have given me my needed reboot. 
In fact, I know they have, haha. 

How comes it takes not having something for awhile to really appreciate it? 

I was reminded of this concept as my wife and I and some friends of ours went hiking this past Thursday. The drive up to the trailhead was beautiful as we wound our way through Little Cottonwood Canyon. While watching the car's external thermostat drop from 80s to 70s, and then to the 60s with clouds swirling in the sky, we wondered how this hike was going to turn out. But after waiting in the car about 15 minutes for the rain to finish, we got out and started up the trail. My eyes began immediately enjoying the beauty all around us. Tall pine trees, fields of wildflowers of every color, huge rock formations, little creeks and streams, and finally at the end, a small "hidden" lake with water so clear you could see the lake's floor. I just wanted to stay there for a long time and feast upon all I was seeing and smelling and feeling. Just a short hour or so before, my mind had been on all of the problems of the world, the continuing sad news of the pandemic, the political strife, and the cries of suffering from so many. But now, with a change of location and Mother Nature sharing her jewels with me, I felt renewed and restored. And I realized just how much I had missed being out in the middle of God's beautiful creations. I mean, the hike my wife and I had taken two weeks ago began that realization process for me. But this hike up to Cecret Lake had magnified and completed it. 

As I watched the recent streamed broadcast of "Music for a Summer Evening" today, I carefully and hesitantly thought about that day when all of us choir members would be able to return. Being able to actually do that was a big deal for me because for the past many weeks, I haven't allowed my mind to go there. It was too difficult to think about. It got me too sad. But just for a minute or two, I put myself back into the choir "routine"--riding into the Tabernacle with my carpool friends and discussing each other's lives and upcoming performances; walking to my music locker to get my music; greeting other choir members with smiles (and hopefully, still, some hugs); coming into the loft, finding my seat, and getting out my music; listening to announcements and an opening prayer; and then getting underway with rehearsing. I think no matter what songs we sing on that first day back, we'll all probably end up crying buckets of tears out of that joy we feel to be back doing something we love. 

And I dare say I won't care anymore that I've sung a song 15 or 20 times! I'll just be glad to finally be singing and fulfilling the mission of the Choir again. All with a fresh perspective and an attitude reboot-- provided by the longest hiatus the choir has ever taken.

Yes, it's true that sometimes we need things to be taken away before we can really appreciate them again. But that said, I invite all of us to be grateful for what we still have in our lives right now. Because there's a lot if we really look.

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #341 - The Art of Being Positive

Day 124
Throughout this period of time as the Tabernacle Choir hasn't been able to sing, I've been amazed at the positivity and faith of some of the choir members. I know that not all choir members are on social media and that with every public post, there's likely a private "post" or inward hope that's being expressed by these individuals in some other way. But from the postings I've seen, I appreciate the positive expressions being made that help to quietly combat the more prevalent noise.

Out of respect to the fact that our FB choir group is private, I won't add any names to these expressions I'll share. I share them, however, because they testify that even though there are many reasons for us to be "down" over not being able to sing, there are plenty of people who are mastering the art of being positive. Here are ten of their comments.

"The recording of Come Thou Fount in today’s broadcast was the last song on the last broadcast we sang back in March. Seeing it again at the end of today’s broadcast seemed to bring everything full circle and gave me a strange feeling of closure and perspective.
Even though this pandemic is far from over, the Lord has brought us this far and He’ll see us through the rest."

"I felt a new perspective that it’s not over but God is in all the details and everything has a purpose. I sure miss my calling and all of you that I have the privilege of serving with."

"Seeing the new logo on old performances gave the Spirit a chance to witness [to me] that the Choir's mission is far from over."

"Just finished watching the 90th Annive​rsa​ry p​rog​ram. I spent a lot of it ​reading the comments f​rom people a​round the wo​rld, sha​ring thei​r love fo​r the Choi​r o​rganization.  One comment seemed to sum it all up fo​r me:  'I have the feeling we are all starved for the community of the Saints. It’s just so uplifting to be in each others company even this way.'  Even though we a​ren't togethe​r physically tonight, we a​re togethe​r - sha​ring ou​r testimonies to the wo​rld."

"Let’s PRAY with all our might that we can get back together soon!! (Not that we’re not praying already) I miss you all so much. I miss making sweet music together!"

"I’ve been thinking. It seemed so ironic at first that we wouldn’t be there for the 90-year anniversary [concert]. But now I think differently. Just like the music in General Conference showcasing past recordings (and thus, lots of past Choir members), they’ll be able to do the same thing with this concert to an even larger extent than if we were performing live. As it should be. It’s almost like it was meant to be! #silverlinings"

"This morning my husband played our “Peace Like a River” recording. I was filled with gratitude for the Savior and for the blessing it has been and will be again to sing with this beautiful group. l look forward to praising the Lord with all of you wonderful people again!"

"Soon we will be back together and appreciating this special mission more than ever." 

"Sometimes I picture what it will be like singing together again under Mack's direction and that we will reunite and sound better than we ever have sounded. We will be more focused than ever and grateful to have the privilege to worship together, thru song again! All Mack will need to do is stand up there and look at us and we will know what we need to do! We will be united in mind and heart. Bound. I miss our time together, so much! I miss Mack’s brilliant way of unifying us. I know if it’s Gods will, it’s not over. We will be back together stronger and more unified than ever before!"

"I was really moved by the Spoken Word that Lloyd gave. It really touched me and felt so relevant and inspired with what we're experiencing right now.  I just listened to it again, and thought I would type it up and share it with all of you in case you haven't heard it or would like to keep it for your record:
“A legacy is not a possession left behind as an heirloom or antique to be preserved. A legacy is living tradition passed down from generation to generation. And so it is with our singing here tonight. From lush green glens, to alpine meadows, from the village church, to the prairie school, we come singing. And long after our pleasant tones fade away the pulse and melody of life go on. This is the legacy we celebrate this evening, a joy in singing and becoming one in song. May this way of living never end, may this way of loving resound forever.” 










Regardless of what each of us is going through, may we all look for ways to be positive and express that positivity. I have no doubt there are plenty of people in our sphere of influence who would latch onto those expressions and be thankful for them.
 
Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #340 - Reaching the Grotto

For our date last night, my wife and I decided to go on a hike up Hornet Canyon--specifically to see the "Grotto" (a grotto is a small cave that usually has water in it or next to it). At 4:30 in the afternoon, it was hot. And as we started out, the first quarter mile was on what seemed like a fire break road devoid of trees or shade. It was kind of miserable, actually. But then we found the actual offshoot trail to the Grotto and we started to get some trees--though what we traded for some shade was some steep inclines. As we hiked along and parts became steeper and more precarious, we became eager to reach our destination. After all, with all of the heat and exertion, we were getting tired and knew we still had to go all the way back. A glimmer of hope manifested itself in the form of a marker which pointed the way to the last .19 miles. The marker, though giving us the great news that we were almost there, warned us that the last part of the trail was very steep and narrow. 

Trudging onward, we kept going up and up. Jennifer had hiking poles that assisted her and I relied on tree branches and pieces of rope that someone had kindly put up to hold on to. At long last, our continual steep incline reached an end and the narrow pathway opened up to a beautiful grotto. Rather than an actual cave, there was an indentation on the mountain side with water coming off the top portion and trickling down, forming pools of water below. We were immediately enveloped with not only the beauty of the site, but the coolness the area stemming from the water and rocks and shade. Indeed, it was a payoff worthy of the effort to get there. 

As we all continue to get through this pandemic, I'm not sure where, along the "hiking path" we are. Are the inclines and steep narrow pathways going to get worse? Are we going to get a reprieve from the hot sun? Along the way are we going to recognize and use sturdy "hiking sticks" and "ropes" to hold on to? How far is the next marker and what will it say? When it's all said and done, and we reach the grotto, what will we have learned? Will we feel satisfied with our efforts?

These are all good questions, none of which currently have answers. But I think it's safe to say that eventually this pandemic will end--we will reach the grotto. There will be other challenges that will take the pandemic's place (just like there were challenges we encountered by reversing our course and hiking out of the canyon), but the particular realities associated with this pandemic will hopefully give way to getting back to a sense of the normal we all dearly miss. And that, of course for me, includes getting back to singing with the Tabernacle Choir. Until then, I pray we can all keep moving forward in hope, enjoying the shade along the way, navigating the steep parts successfully, and believing we'll reach the grotto soon.

To end, just a few choir-related things I wanted to remind you of. First is the concert being broadcast this coming Saturday evening. You can find the details HERE. Also, there's a contest you can enter to win a CD and other memorabilia associated with the concert. Enter that contest HERE.  Lastly, check out the organ performances live streaming every Mon, Wed, and Fri. More details HERE.

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #339 - God is Aware + 90 Years!

Late afternoon last Thursday, I journeyed to the Tabernacle for a new tux fitting. All of the men of the choir had been asked to sign up for a time to get this accomplished, with nearly a dozen time slots spanning multiple days and weeks to choose from. Imagine my surprise then, when on the way to the fitting I saw one of my good choir friends just leaving--who I said hello to and chatted a bit with. Then, once I got into the Tabernacle, another two of my very good friends were there.  After our fitting, we all stood outside catching up and giving each other encouragement and letting each other know how grateful we were for each other--especially during these times when we couldn't meet and sing together. 

I mention this because it was a testimony to me that God is aware of our needs and will provide us with tender mercies when we most need them. The odds of me meeting up with three of my best choir friends given the number of time slots available over the past few weeks were definitely not in my favor. But God doesn't care about odds and is certainly no subscriber to the word "chance" or "coincidence". He is a Master Planner and the Giver of Good Gifts and on this Thursday afternoon, around 4:45p, He gave a good gift to me and some of my friends so that we could be strengthened and encouraged by our combined friendship.

On a related note, my family and I attended a Pitt Family reunion this past week up at Bear Lake (northern Utah, southern Idaho). And speaking of odds, it "just so happened" that the three days we were there were three of the coldest days on record for this time of year. A little discouraged, we all gathered that first night in a cold cabin with sweatshirts on and a desire to start a fire in the fireplace. But the next day, even though it was in the 50s, everyone was able to tune out the temperature and make the best of the situation by engaging in various activities both on the lake and by the cabin. As my dad and I went to get some gasoline for the wave runners, he said "Ryan, we've experienced a tender mercy today. Jordan had originally reserved a different cabin that wasn't right next to the lake. But because he switched and got the one we have now, we've been able to better cope with the cold weather--playing outside, yet being able to conveniently come into the cabin at times to get warm. It just wouldn't have worked out so well if we had gone to the beach today."

I realized he was right.  And I realized that I actually hadn't recognized the tender mercy that was right in front of me. I was too focused on what we didn't have: warm weather.  

I hope we can all be aware of and be thankful for God's tender mercies--whether they are the kind that are handed to us on a platter, or whether they are the kind that take a little bit of recognizing to unwrap and discover.


Before ending today, I just wanted to promote the upcoming Tabernacle Choir concert which will air on Saturday, July 18th, at 7PM. This concert is a celebration of the past 90 years of Music & the Spoken Word, and will feature songs from past performances and guest artists that have joined the choir on stage in years past (see more info HERE). You might be tempted to think that this concert was put together directly because of COVID-19 and the choir's inability to deliver a live performance. However, in this case, the July 18th concert was actually meant to be the way it is (past performances) because the choir would have just been getting back from their 2020 tour and wouldn't have had time to prepare a live concert this year. At any rate, it should be a fun event to watch/listen to, so you're officially invited to be a remote audience member and be uplifted by the music that will be presented. 

Until next time, God be with you.

The Chair

[Independence Day Supplemental]

The night of July 3rd, my wife Jennifer and I were driving along Main Street in our hometown of Centerville. In the middle of our conversation, Jennifer stops for a moment and then says “There’s a chair.” I didn’t understand what she meant so I asked for clarification. She responded by saying that a lone chair had been set out next to the street—a chair that was roped off and that had a small American flag next to it. We both smiled in a sad sort of way as we realized that some resident of Centerville must have put it there—a resident who wanted to honor the regular Independence Day parade that is ALWAYS an integral part of the city’s patriotic celebration. A parade that usually causes hundreds of people, the night of the third, to line two miles of Main Street with chairs of all shapes and sizes. 

But not this year. 

In the hours after seeing the chair, I began to hear things it was trying to say—not so much in words, really, but in symbolism and emotions. 

The chair being roped off on all sides represents the isolation each of us feels right now. COVID-19 has broken human connection; politics continues to deeply divide; racial injustice devalues and separates; and loneliness is the second pandemic suffocating and enveloping so many. 

The size of the American Flag next to the chair represents how little of patriotism so many of us feel. This great nation that so many men and women died for doesn’t quite seem to honor their sacrifice anymore. Intolerance, disrespect, and pride have replaced love, warmth, and unity that used to prevail. Freedoms continue to be curtailed and liberties stomped upon. 

The blanket at the base of the chair represents comfort, familiarity, and even protection. But this particular blanket’s size speaks to how much such representations are being felt by Americans these days. Very little. In fact, one only needs look at the buzz phrase of the day—“uncertain times”—to know just how little. We long for a sense of normalcy. We are tired of being afraid and confused. And while the term “new normal” has become familiar to us, the meaning of that term is anything but familiar. We have no idea what normal will be, or when it will be, and it’s killing us. 

Is there no hope then that things will be better? What does our chair say? 

If you look closely enough, there’s a sign on the chair with words written in black marker and infused with hope:  “Reserved for 2021.”  

Now some may call that optimistic. After all, we’re talking about some pretty big things that won’t likely work themselves out in just a year’s time. But perhaps the words on that sign are an invitation for each of us to look deeply inside ourselves and to figure out what needs changing. For certainly we can do better. We can be better. Then maybe, just maybe, if we all pledge to do our part and become a better version of ourselves—a version that would do our country proud—our sad smile upon first seeing the chair will change into a confident happy one. Why? 

Because the chair’s ropes of isolation will fall. 

Other chairs will appear as far as the eye can see. 

The flag will grow into a size of respectful grandeur. 

The blanket will fill the entire lawn. 

And the sign will then read “2021: true progress made!”

TCATS #338 - Our Part in the Mission

A few weeks ago, I published a rather vulnerable post about how the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square doesn't need its members (in the short term) to fulfill its mission. This was a personal opinion post based on my own thoughts, with conclusions derived from my own perspective and observations. While I still stand by what I said in that post, I do want to take the opportunity to expand on it a little bit.

First, I think it's important to define the mission of the Choir. From the Choir's own website, we read: "The Tabernacle Choir is dedicated to the universal language of music that has the power to bring joy, peace, and healing to its listeners. This unique music organization transcends cultural and generational boundaries and brings together people from around the world through stirring music." 

From the handbook that Choir members receive, we read a more succinct statement: "The mission of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is to serve as goodwill ambassadors for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and through music prepare the hearts of members and non-members throughout the world to actively follow the teachings of Jesus Christ."

As I mentioned in my prior post, during this reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Choir continues to fulfill this mission by utilizing its vast archive of past performances. Each week, people around the world can watch and/or listen to Music & the Spoken Word, can tap into the Choir's albums found on music streaming services, can utilize the Choir's own streaming mobile app, and can rewatch their DVDs of past concerts. They can also go onto the Church's website and access a very large number of past General Conference performances. Those who choose to do these things can have their hearts prepared and can be uplifted with joy, peace, and healing. The countless hours and sacrifice that Choir members, directors, and staff have put into each of these songs and performances continues to pay dividends; and listeners around the world continue to be inspired.

So if the Choir's mission is largely being fulfilled on its own right now, what can I do, as a Choir member, to still be part of that mission fulfillment process? Should I still play an active roll, and if so, how exactly? 

These questions really made me think.

After some pondering and introspection, I came up with a few things that made sense to me personally. First, I can encourage others to listen to the Choir's music through any of the various means available. Second, within that encouraging, I can include personal feelings of how the music has uplifted and helped me. Third, as I pray for people and pray for the world at large during this time when so many are suffering in so many different ways, I can include a plea that they will find (or be led to) the Choir's music.  And once the music is found, it will play an important part of that person's individual journey of finding peace and hope. Fourth, I can be a strength to other choir members--not just because I want to be a friend, but because at some point, we WILL sing together again and we'll need our testimonies of Jesus Christ strong and vibrant and ready to be fused with our music. And lastly, I can be open to any other "fulfilling the mission" ways that might come into my head and heart in the days to come.

While thinking about all of this, I just wanted to invite you to consider what missions you're a part of right now--especially missions that you may feel are on auto-pilot. Are you on a mission to be a better parent, a better sibling, or a better friend? What could you do to better fulfill that mission? Are you part of a mission associated with a company or organization that could use more of your creativity and best efforts? When you're out and about in public, maybe on a mini-mission to pick up things you need at a local grocery store or retail outlet, what can you do to fulfill that mission in a way that not only accomplishes your end goal, but at the same time exhibits kindness and respect to others? 

Regardless, I hope we can all be an active part of fulfilling the missions we're a part of. Doing so will undoubtedly bless our lives and the lives of others--and may give us just the boost we need. 

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #337 - Random Tidbits + New Organ Performance

Hello dear readers. And for you fathers out there, happy Fathers Day. :)

It's been over three months now since we've been able to meet and sing together. And per last week's post, we likely have many more months of "choir break" to come. I thought today I'd just include everything I can think of that's still going on with the choir. Some of you might find interesting, some of you might not. But here goes...

*The deadline for the men of the choir to speak up and say they want to purchase their creme coat for $10 was this past Friday. All coats that aren't spoken for can be purchased by other choir members. Exciting, exciting. (Farewell my creme coat...may you enjoy your new owner!)
*Final venue arrangements were made for next year's 2021 tour as announced HERE. The choir is hoping, of course, that COVID-19 doesn't claim the 2021 tour as it did the 2020 tour. 
*Speaking of tour, the deadline to sign-up for going is coming up soon (July 1) and those who's passport has an expiration date of Jan 2022 or earlier need to get started right away in getting a new one. From what I understand, the passport process has turned into a bit of nightmare given staff reductions and whatnot. 
*All choir members who still have music at home have been asked to return it to the Tabernacle so that the choir librarians can do what they need to do and prepare for the day when we will get to sing again. I'll be taking in the music from my carpool people some time this week. It'll be interesting to do that as it's been a long time since I was in the Tabernacle.
*Some choir members are posting accounts of choir-related dreams they are having, on Facebook. Some are actually quite humorous to read through. Others epitomize the sadness that several are feeling during this extended break of not singing.
*And some choir members are reading through some recent letters that came in from individuals who wanted to share how much our music has helped them during these trying times. 

So this past week, the Tabernacle Choir organists put on a performance entitled PIPING UP! This performance actually launched a series of performances that the public can stream every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You can find this first kick-off performance HERE. At the time of this post, we're up to 32K views. Go organists! I'm sincerely glad that you get to continue showcasing your talent and inspire so many. (And if you don't have time to watch the whole first performance, catch the ending of it HERE where all five organists unite to give us a really cool visual and listening experience)

That's about all I have. I've been thinking less about choir during each week for the past few weeks, so that's been good for me. Sometimes I have a tendency to want to include my choir friends in that distancing just so I'm not reminded of the current reality of not being able to sing together. But hopefully I can get better at not doing that. We all need each other. And on a general level, friendships are more important now than they ever have been. I don't know...some days I feel very messed up and not sure how to process everything going on in the world, let alone navigating the choir void. But all I can do is my best.

Until next time, God be with you.