TCATS #364 - CWJ

I want to close out this year with a tribute to a Tabernacle Choir fan. This fan is my mother-in-law, Carolyn Whitchurch Jorgensen, who recently passed away and is undoubtedly now enjoying the beautiful choirs in heaven. 

Carolyn loved to listen to the Choir. She made it a point to watch or listen to Music & the Spoken Word each week because it brought her peace. For nearly the past two decades of her life, Carolyn's health slowly, but steadily declined and the music of the Choir began to be even more important as purely peaceful moments were more and more difficult to find.

Carolyn knew the value and importance of song lyrics and would be sure to put on the closed-captioned settings on her device so she could read the words that were being sung. Those words, along with bringing peace, continued fueling her testimony and her desire to be like her Savior. 

There were many songs on her Tabernacle Choir favorite list, and one of those was A Child's Prayer. This song asks questions that probably each of us has asked before. Are you really there? Do you really hear and answer prayers? Carolyn knew the answer to these questions and loved to communicate with her Father in Heaven--especially when life was hard and illness suppressed her abilities to do all she wanted to do. It was her testimony of prayer that really helped her continue moving forward in life. And it allowed her to find peace amidst life's storms.

I want to personally thank my mother-in-law for all she did to support the Choir and to support me in the Choir. Her love she felt for the Choir and her devotion to its mission to uplift and bring peace is one of the many witnesses that testify to the mission's success.  I will think of her often in the coming days when the Choir gets to sing again. 

And hopefully, that'll be sooner than later.

Happy New Year everyone! I love you all.

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #363 - Questions

 

Merry Christmas everyone! And thank you for your interest and loyalty in reading my blog week to week. It's been a rather challenging year to keep these posts coming every Sunday--mainly, of course, because of this very LONG  break the Choir has been on. But being able to share my thoughts each week has been helpful for me, personally, and has aided me in processing various emotions and feelings I've been experiencing during this time. 

In prior posts, I've mentioned Christmas songs I like, how to watch the various Christmas Concerts that are being aired this year, Choir music videos I love, and memories of past Christmas concerts. There's not much more to post about as far as Christmas goes. If this were a normal year, we would have finished our Christmas Concert performances, have already had our annual Christmas Dinner at the Grand America ballroom, and solely be focused on the remaining two Music & the Spoken Word broadcasts of the year. We would have reflected on how busy a year it had been, and my friend Siope would have published his typical pictogram highlighting all of the events we had been a part of. And, of course, we'd be looking towards next year and thinking about all of the events yet to come.

Speaking of "yet to come", the only thing in my head right now is a bunch of questions.
Specifically....

*With the vaccine rolling out, when will it be "safe" to sing again?
*Will choir members have to take the vaccine as a requirement to be able to sing with the Choir?
*Will we be able to put on our postponed Messiah concert in the Spring? How about going on tour in the summer?
*Will the group of singers whose 2020 year would have been their last be able to have one more year?
*If "yes" to the question above, will the auditions that were put on hold half-way through 2020 not be resumed until 2022?
*Are additional safety precautions going to be added to the way the Choir operates? Or perhaps better worded, will the Choir operate differently in some way based on 2020 happenings?
*Are there people in the Choir who have decided for various reasons, not to come back? (i.e. "I kind liked having more time in my life with my family....maybe it's time to resign.")
*What new songs have Mack and Ryan composed/arranged?
*What's the very first song we'll sing for the first, live performance of Music & the Spoken Word in 2021?
*Will viewership of the Choir go up, remain steady, or go down in 2021 once the pandemic is over and "normal" life resumes?
*Mack has mentioned several times that the Choir, today, is sounding the best it's ever sounded. Will that quality of sound take time to get back? Or will the Lord bless us to resume right where we left off?
*The pandemic-related trials (and other personal struggles) have changed all of us. When we get back together again, we'll essentially be a choir made up of "new" people. How will that feel? How will it add to the music we sing?

THESE are the questions that wander in and out of my mind.

Should I discover the answers to any of them, I'll let you know!

With that, I bid thee adieu :) 

Until next time, God be with you.

PS: Was introduced to this song last week and I fell in love with it. Take a listen if you'd like.

TCATS #362 - Fireside Gift

The Choir presidency announced some time ago that they were putting together a special fireside that would be for the members of the Choir, Orchestra, and Bells. When I first heard about the fireside, I was cautiously optimistic that it would include messages that I really wanted and needed to hear. For nine months now, although members of the Choir Organization receive weekly newsletters, we haven't really been able to visibly see or audibly hear from most of those who we typically see and hear from on a regular basis. This fireside would be the first time. 

So, at 7pm, I tuned in and with a prayer in my heart, listened to both the beautiful music by our organists, and the helpful and consoling messages from our choir leaders. We heard from our choir secretary, from our public relations manager, from the individual who's over scheduling and copyright issues, from the sister who helps run the choir school, from the sister who oversees things in the music library, and several others. And of course, we heard from Ryan Murphy and Mack Wilberg and Ron Jarret, along with Presiding Bishop Causse. 

A few comments about the format of this fireside and the messages.

First, I really appreciated hearing from so many that we actually don't hear too much from. To me, it symbolized that everyone is important. 

Second, the overall themes of the fireside included the following:

Our pre-recorded programs continue to bless the lives of those who, before the pandemic, normally tuned in, and also those who normally did not tune in--but do so now.

Sometimes service is rendered even when we are, of necessity, asked to just stand by and be patient. 

Each individual is important. Even though we strive to be one and often focus on the end result, it's the individual preparation and sacrifice that are so important to that end result.

Things are not often what they seem. God's work is always going on and we are always given opportunities to share our light and love with others even when some of the normal ways of doing that (i.e. through singing in the Choir) are temporarily on pause.

We are all missed. 

There's great power in music and it's truly a medium of communication that connects heaven and earth. It's vital to the work of salvation and to the gathering that's going on. 

With this pause on rehearsing and performing, we've been given a unique opportunity to not only serve others in different ways, but come to appreciate more fully the Choir "musical missionary" calling we've been given. Such appreciation will be vital to moving the work forward in a more dedicated way when we're able to make music again.

 

I'm grateful for the fireside and the messages and that so many people took the time to let us know we are still being thought of and are still being missed. I have a peace now--one that I'm confident will remain with me-- as I look forward to all of the things I'll enjoy again one day.

And singing with the choir will certainly be one of them. 

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #361 - Of Healing

There are several songs that the Tabernacle Choir sings that have brought me true healing. Healing that is always needed when I feel deficient in personally managing my emotions and my grief. I will list them below (along with a few non-Tabernacle Choir songs) just so you know what they are and just in case you may need to listen to them too, at some point. 

My mother-in-law passed away today, peacefully. She had been in poor health for most of the time I had known her. But even given that fact, there had been no indication recently that she would pass to the next life, today. It just happened. It was her time. And since God's timing is perfect, most especially in matters of life and death, it does bring some comfort to know that it was meant to be and that she's now in a much better place, free from illness and able to continue her eternal life in a way that will pay tribute to her strengths, her love, her kindness, her interest in people, and her desire to serve. While it was difficult to make a deep connection with her simply because of her limited capacities to truly be "in the moment" (and because of some of the medications she was on), I certainly have a love for her and gratitude in my heart for the effort and love she put in to raising her family, supporting our family, and in bringing light to others. 

Her death caused me to reflect on the passing of my sister--who also died on a Sunday a few years ago and who had been dealing with both physical and mental challenges of her own. Normally on her death anniversary, I take some time to honor her memory by thinking about her and listening to songs that remind me of her. But last week I wasn't able to do that, fully, given other things that were going on at the time. So I'm glad that today I was finally able to do that. It's important to remember. It's important to keep feeling. It's important to keep figuring out how it all ties in with your personal journey of faith. 

The year 2020 has been, honestly, the most challenging year I've ever had. And my wife could certainly say the same. Perhaps it's been the same for you, too. I sincerely hope that music has helped you through your valleys of sorrow and given you some hope and light to keep moving forward. I know that music has done just that, for me. I've learned, too, that it's OK to be sad. It's OK to struggle. It's OK to wonder as we wander. For in that wondering and wandering, we figure out things. We grow.

Some songs for your moments of healing.

It is Well with My Soul (link | commentary)

Pilgrim's Song (link | commentary)

How Firm a Foundation (link | commentary)

How Gentle God's Commands (link)

Sleep in the Storm (link)

By Your Side (link)

 

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS #360 - On to Christmas!

The Choir and Orchestra wasted no time in kicking off the Christmas season with a Christmas-themed Music & the Spoken Word this morning. I was in my car traveling back from Phoenix and since my daughter was doing the driving at that particular leg of the journey, I was able to watch the program on my phone. It brought back a lot of great memories. For six years now, part of my Christmas experience has always included performing 15-20 Christmas songs for the MSW broadcasts, the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, and the three performances of the Christmas Concert. Those fun and rewarding experiences were enhanced with all of the festive decorations in the Conference Center, the talk of Christmas plans and memories amongst choir members, and observing the dancers and guest artists during rehearsals. 

This year I'll simply look forward to getting to be part of that magical experience, next year. And that's OK. If 2020 has taught us anything, it's the art of adjusting and appreciating more fully what once used to be.

I don't have a lot more to add right now. My fatigue is calling me to bed soon. But I did want to list out my favorite Christmas songs as performed by the choir. I hope you'll consider adding these to your holiday playlist as they can be found on Spotify or Apple Music. BUT, these are links to the video versions that typically include cool visuals, dancers, special guests, etc. Well worth your time.

WEXFORD CAROL

THE FIRST NOEL

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY

I SAW THREE SHIPS (Organ + Percussion Trio)

NOE NOE

And that, as they say, is that. An early Merry Christmas to you all. I hope this season is one in which you'll find some refuge from the 2020 storm and you'll feel wrapped up in the arms of our Savior, whose birth and life we celebrate.

Until next time, God be with you.

TCATS# 359 - #GiveThanks

When the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that he'd be sharing a message of hope and healing, I was, unfortunately, a bit skeptical. "What more could he say than what he's already said?" was the question going on in my head. And in all honesty, I almost didn't want to tune in to the message at all. I was afraid my poor attitude would ruin whatever message President Nelson really wanted me to hear and then I'd feel worse. But then as if God was monitoring my thoughts (which of course He does), he invited me to consider the story of the Israelites and the brazen serpent as referenced in the Book of Numbers. If you recall,  the Israelites were afflicted with poisonous serpents and many were dying as a result. At one point, God told Moses to attach a brazen serpent to a pole and then hoist it up and whoever had been bitten only need look at the brazen serpent and be healed. 

The Book of Mormon adds this scripture: "But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them." (Alma 33:20)

I realized (with perhaps some new found humility) that I was being as ridiculously stubborn as some of these Israelites had been. Just as some of them were skeptical that an act so simple would heal them,  I was being skeptical that hearing a prophet's message would heal me.  

So, I listened. And even though nothing grand and glorious happened within my heart, something about the simpleness of his message rang true: just be grateful.

My mind though was screaming "Be grateful? What? Count my blessings? Seriously? THAT is going to help me feel better? It can't be that simple."

But then the thought came: just try it.

So, I did. And it has helped. And the more I express gratitude, the better I feel.

So in that spirit, I want to express gratitude for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. 

I'm grateful for the opportunity to sing such stirring and beautiful music. 

I'm grateful to feel a sense of community and unity with my fellow Tabernacle Choir singers. 

I'm grateful to be good friends with many of the brethren in particular. Their goodness and talent and testimonies and support are things I cherish and that carry me. 

I'm grateful to serve in the music library as it helps me have an added opportunity to simply do some good. 

I'm grateful for Mack and Ryan who's inspiring directing talents are a wonder to behold. 

I'm grateful for the spirit I feel when I sing and for the knowledge that even one person makes a difference. 

I'm grateful for engaging in an activity that I truly love and is heavenly in origin. 

I'm grateful for the support of my wife and kids and love them for it. 

I'm grateful for a choir presidency that I know loves us. While I wish they could come up with ways for us to fulfill our callings during this break, I trust they are doing their best.

Lastly,  I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who has, over time, allowed me to finally be OK with the way things are and to permanently latch on to hope and patience.

 

Until next time, God be with you.
#GiveThanks

TCATS #358 - A Spot in the Top Ten

I didn't think much about the Tabernacle Choir this week. The only news to really report is that the Choir received a fairly prestigious honor by being named as one of the Top 10 choirs in the world by the well respected BBC Music Magazine. You can read the article, HERE. I think the only other choir I knew on the list was the Choir of King's College--which goes to show how choir-knowledgeable I am! I look forward to checking out some YouTube videos of the other choirs just for fun.

The other news is that PBS/WGBH created a specific website just to highlight past Christmas concerts by the Tabernacle Choir. I was actually pretty impressed with the site. Normally when you're trying to look for videos of past Christmas concerts or any "extra" or "behind the scenes" videos, you have to sort of do a blind search and hope the hits you get are the ones you're really after. But if you go to this site and click on Watch link (near the top left), you'll be taken to an all-inclusive page that includes dozens of videos of each of the Christmas concerts from 2019 thru 2016 that are nicely organized. For the concerts prior to 2016, I'm not sure WGBH was involved so that's why there's no pre-2016 content. To see that content, you can go to the Choir's YouTube channel and then to the Christmas playlists and there's a variety of videos to watch, there. 

Other than that, life for choir members goes on just as it does for many others these days. We wait for the pandemic to end, and while we wait, we use the time to work on hobbies, spend more time with family, pursue vocational or education interests, and support each other through social media posts and individual texts of encouragement and love. 

Love and prayers to you all as you treasure the moments of joy and at the same time, work hard to combat the trials you're working through. Being a Lord of the Rings fan, I thought this dialogue between Sam and Frodo is especially applicable right now, so I'll leave you with that. 

Until next time God be with you.

Frodo: "I can't do this, Sam."
Sam: "I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mister Frodo. The ones that really mattered.
Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened.
But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.
Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mister Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn't. Because they were holding on to something."
Frodo: "What are we holding on to, Sam?"
Sam: "That there's some good in this world, Mister Frodo. And it's worth fighting for."