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It has been nearly five months since I wrote about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concerts and our moving experience with Walter Cronkite (click here to read the article). These months have seen many sad events, including the loss of space shuttle Columbia, war in Iraq, more instances of senseless terrorism, and death and destruction from natural disasters.

How dark the world could be if there weren’t something to counterbalance the daily dose of bad news. The Gospel brings us hope in so many ways, and as I have recounted in the past, the Spirit of the Lord in combination with beautiful music is one of the best antidotes to discouragement. Consider these words by Martin Luther in the forward to the Wittenburg Gesangbuch, (a hymnal) in 1524:

“Music is a fair and glorious gift of God.  I would not for the world forego my humble share of music.  Singers are never sorrowful, but are merry, and smile through their troubles in song.  Music makes people kinder, more staid and reasonable.  I am strongly persuaded that after theology there is no art that can be placed on a level with music; for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart…the devil flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of God. That is why the prophets preferred music before all the other arts, proclaiming the Work in psalms and hymns”

This rings true for me because Thursday nights and Sunday mornings leave me feeling pretty much immune to the world’s ills; it is indeed much easier to smile after singing for a couple of hours. And those who listen seem to feel the same; after all, where else do you find people lining up early just to listen to a rehearsal? Luther’s phrase, “peace and joy of the heart” is an apt description of the work of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; and we have been very busy providing more opportunities for people to share in this spirit. Consider what we’ve been doing just since January:

  • We recorded and released our first album on the new Mormon Tabernacle Choir label (more on this later).
  • We sang at the celebration of the anniversary of the Winter Olympics.
  • The women of the choir joined with the Orchestra at Temple Square for a performance of Mahler’s 3rd Symphony.
  • We sang for General Conference.
  • We performed an Easter concert featuring Brahms’ German Requiem (and we did indeed sing it in German).
  • Many in the choir sang at the funeral of SSgt. James Cawley, a Salt Lake City police officer who lost his life in the Iraq war (James’ sister Julie is a member of the choir).
  • We introduced a new web site to provide a central location for information on the choir (see www.mormontabernaclechoir.org).
  • We recorded a second album for our new label.
  • We have begun preparations for a tour of the eastern United States and Canada in late June and early July.
  • All this while continuing to perform the weekly broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word

Listening to the Choir

The choir has always been an emissary for the Gospel; it breaks down barriers of mistrust and helps dispel misconceptions about the Church. President Hinckley said recently that it is because the choir is a volunteer organization that it is so good. But I think he would agree that it goes beyond volunteerism. What makes this group exceptional is its love for the Lord Jesus Christ and commitment to furthering his work. While church members the world over share this devotion, channeling these loving feelings into music lets them be more easily perceived by all, no matter what their religious or cultural background. I hope you who read my articles will gain a greater appreciation for how the music of the choir can enrich your lives and those of your families and friends – both in and out of the Church. Part of my motivation for writing about the choir is to help get the word out. I know you hear us in General Conference, but are you aware of the many other opportunities there are to listen?

Bundled once again in Olympic garb, choir women pose with the Olympic mascots prior to the one-year anniversary party.

The Broadcast

Have you tuned in to Music and the Spoken Word lately? This weekly broadcast has been a staple for people throughout the world since 1929. At our Christmas concert Walter Cronkite recounted how his family listened regularly in his youth. Besides being carried over the Church satellite immediately preceding the Sunday morning session of General Conference, it is aired live on KSL radio and television every week and distributed all over the world for later broadcast. It is available on cable and satellite television throughout the United States on the Hallmark Channel (8:30 am Sundays, Eastern and Pacific Times) and BYU TV (click here for listings – it currently airs three times on Sundays and once on Wednesdays. BYU TV also repeats many of our concerts).

Bonneville Communications, which produces the broadcast, has a web page to help locate it on one of the many local radio or television stations that carry it (click here to go to the page). And if you have a good Internet connection you can listen live (Sundays, 9:30 am Mountain Time) via Internet streaming on KSL radio (click here) or BYU radio (click here) from anywhere in the world (KSL also repeats the broadcast Sunday evenings at 10:30 pm Mountain Time). The program is aired Sundays at 12:00 pm and 7:30 pm Mountain Time on KBYU FM radio as well (click here).

Whew! That was a lot of information in a little space but now you can see that the broadcast is more readily available than you might have thought.

During a break from recording, Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg listen intently for any flaws in the latest take.

Recordings

Probably the most common means of experiencing the choir is through our albums. We are excited about the creation of our own record label. It is named, simply, “Mormon Tabernacle Choir.” When Phil Lowry wrote about the Orchestra at Temple Square (click here to read), he talked about recording the first CD for the label. Entitled, “Consider the Lilies,” it is filled with peaceful and joyous music about the Savior, including many beloved John Rutter pieces, Mack Wilberg’s soaring arrangement of “I Believe in Christ,” and one of his own compositions, the gentle and moving, “Jesu, the Very Thought is Sweet.” We have had many requests for a recording of “This is the Christ,” which is heard at the end of the “Testaments” film at Temple Square; it, too, is included.

click here to purchase this cd

The album already has touched many lives. Deseret Book tells us it sold more copies in the first week than any in their history. We’ve heard from as far away as Australia, where church members are using it as a missionary tool. Giving a Mormon Tabernacle Choir album is a wonderful way to bring a friend straight to the spirit of the gospel, bypassing the barriers that are often encountered. [Click here for information about the album, including sample sound clips.]

The Second Album

Last week we recorded a second album, which will be released just before Independence Day; and that means, of course, patriotic music. Next to religious selections the choir is probably most admired for its expressive performances of patriotic songs. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 20 years since we last devoted a recording to American favorites such as, “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful,” and “The House I Live In.” Other highlights include new Mack Wilberg arrangements of “Shenandoah,” and the buoyant “Bound for the Promised Land,” an American folk hymn. There is a lively arrangement of George M. Cohan tunes; and John Williams’, “Call of the Champions,” recalls our participation in the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Flags were seen everywhere while recording our patriotic album…

As with the first album, lots of recording time was allotted so we could pay attention to detail and strive for our very best performance; we were at the Tabernacle Tuesday through Friday evenings and all day Saturday. Director Craig Jessop was even more intense and energetic than usual (and that’s saying a lot); he emphasized that everything we could do correctly the first time would save him hours in the editing booth and reduce the cost of post-production. We laughed when he said that when we’re ninety we’ll be able to listen to the CD in our rocking chair at the rest home and be proud of what we had accomplished; but it reminded us that in the digital age, recordings have the potential of being enjoyed for countless years to come. One feels a great responsibility when producing something, “for the ages.” He talked of how much listening to the choir had meant to him when a young man away from home in military training, and what this album might mean someday to soldiers overseas. Craig is a master at motivating the choir; he will never settle for less than the most we can give.

…even on the instruments!

Mack Wilberg was again in the recording booth, listening intently and providing feedback about what needed improvement (usually problems with intonation or ensemble). We would voice a good-natured groan whenever Craig’s phone rang after a take, knowing Mack was calling to say we needed to do something again. But though a tedious process, singing for this recording was spiritually rewarding. There are so many voices of cynicism about America – both in our country and throughout the world. The words to these patriotic favorites reminded us that while our country has its flaws, at its core it still has a generous heart. We hope that those who listen will also feel renewed with hope and optimism for the future, because America and the entire world are very much in need of encouragement and optimism. [Watch our website in late June for details on when and where the CD will be available.]

Touring

Church members who live in the northeastern United States will have a rare opportunity to experience the choir close to home this summer. On June 24th we will embark on a tour that will include many of the nation’s most prestigious music festivals, starting with the Interlochen Festival in Traverse City, Michigan and ending July 11 at Tanglewood in western Massachusetts. [Other venues include Grand Rapids, Michigan; Toronto, Canada; Chautauqua, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Saratoga Springs, New York; Boston, Massachusetts (on July 4th with the Boston Pops!); Washington, DC (Wolf Trap), and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We’ll also perform in New York City’s Lincoln Center for an invitation-only audience]. What a great opportunity for thousands to get a feel for what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has to offer. Tickets to all the concerts are available on the Internet (click here for a list of links).

A violinist from the Orchestra at Temple Square uses her recording break to work out a difficult passage of music.

As always before a major tour, excitement is rising. Tuesday night and Sunday after-broadcast rehearsals are returning. It’s time for the men to buy a supply of fresh, new white shirts. Counsel is given about health issues and what medications to bring. Passports must be in order for the crossing into Canada. Volunteers are being recruited to transfer luggage and priesthood holders to administer the sacrament on Sundays. And we’ve been given a list of music to memorize – pretty much everything we’ll sing except for the Brahms Requiem and Bernstein Chichester Psalms (since they will only be performed at Tanglewood we get a break on those, only having to memorize the first movement of each).

We are glad for this opportunity to carry the spirit felt weekly in the Tabernacle to other places. As I did with the Southern States tour, I’ll try to keep Meridian readers abreast of our inspiring and exciting experiences while on the road. We hope the concerts will be sold out so that as many people as possible can partake. If you’re able to attend, please don’t hesitate to come up afterwards and greet the choir members – we’d love to meet and talk with you. And make sure to bring your friends!

Have you seen that vertical “shell” behind the men somewhere before? Perhaps at your last ward dinner? Those multi-purpose tables really live up to their name, saving the purchase of a more sophisticated sound barrier for the recording session.

And so I come to the close of another article. I want to especially think Debra Gehris, a fellow member of the Tabernacle Choir, for her collaboration in contributing the pictures. Deb has been taking pictures of the choir for years and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Reflecting on our experiences in the choir always reminds me what tremendous effort so many people are expending in this great work. The choir is busier than it has ever been, and yet I am sure we will continue to find new opportunities to help spread the peace and joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

2002 Meridian Magazine.  All Rights Reserved.