Musical tour is a missionary journey
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The word "tour" ought to be removed from the musical journeys undertaken by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and its affiliated Orchestra at Temple Square. The word conveys something of a more casual excursion, with more sightseeing and definitely more rest than are experienced when these world-renowned musicians travel. More than a tour, it's a spiritual venture.
Some 50,000 people heard them perform in nine concerts in seven cities. They left Salt Lake City June 21 and returned July 3. They did more than travel long distances to sing. They touched hearts, lifted spirits, strengthened testimonies. In short, they made life seem a bit better and happier for many people. And they made friends, for themselves personally and for the Church.
They were welcomed with smiles, acclaim and gratitude everywhere on the concert circuit, from the opening concert in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on June 22, to the final performance in Memphis, Tenn., on July 2. Here are just a few glimpses from the tour:
• In Toronto, perhaps no one was more excited to see and hear the choir than Hana Gartner, one of Canada's most prominent journalists. She was invited to conduct the choir in the encore number of "This Land Is Your Land," the words of which were modified to name Canadian landmarks.
"I've interviewed world leaders, including prime ministers," she told the Church News during the choir's sound check at the concert hall a few minutes before she rehearsed. "I've been in intimidating positions and after 32 years as a journalist I've taken things in stride. But today, I feel like a kid. My knees are shaking. I've been sitting here, listening to the choir and orchestra. They are so brilliant. I'm sitting here weeping."
• At Ravinia Festival near Chicago, the audience of more than 10,000 people was surprised when the guest conductor was announced: Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago's Catholic Diocese. Cardinal George conducted the choir and orchestra at a rehearsal and at a concert at the Ravinia Music Festival in Highland Park, Ill., near Chicago.
Speaking with the Church News, Cardinal George described directing the choir as "like sitting in front of a hurricane and watching the natural forces come together. They are so well trained; I could just relax and listen."
He said that the last time he had heard the Tabernacle Choir in person was when he was in high school. "My mother was a musician and she wanted to be sure we went to Salt Lake City and heard the choir sing," he said. "I've heard them on recordings since then but the next time I heard them live was when I directed them. It was a powerful experience."
• At various venues, choir members were reunited with family or friends. Candace Watkins of Liberty, Pa., undertook a six-hour drive to see and hear Randy Marshall, one of her music students when he was growing up in Pennsylvania. She attended the matinee and the evening concerts at Chautauqua Institution in New York. She wrote in an e-mail to Brother Marshall: "As a vocal/choir person, I'm sure I listen from a different place than some others do. Sometimes, that's from a critical position, but certainly not this time. What kept running around in my mind when I wasn't totally mesmerized by what was happening was this: 'Lord, make me an instrument of peace.' The choir is a vocal symphony. Each member plays, controls, shapes and fine tune his 'instrument' until 350 voices sound as one. I can appreciate the concentration, commitment and hard work that it takes to achieve that and I am in awe of that accomplishment especially when you are traveling and in venues that are unfamiliar and things can't be controlled like they are in a studio."
• Mary Marble said that another choir member talked to a man from Ireland who was visiting Toronto on vacation and attended the concert. He said that he'd heard "Danny Boy" all his life, but he had never been so touched as when he heard the choir and orchestra perform it. He said he was moved to tears.
• A woman handed a choir member a note after one of the concerts at Chautauqua: "Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra: It's like the glory of God on earth, and we are all caught up in the wave of this beautiful performance. Thank you!"
• Choir member Bruce Seeley said that a woman who obviously had been crying told him that her mother had insisted several months ago that she attend the concert at Chautauqua and had bought tickets for her. Her mother died just a week before the concert. "Now I know why she wanted me to come to this concert," the woman told Brother Seeley. He said, "I think we helped her in the grieving process."
Also at Chautauqua, David Spencer and others in the baritone section had a clear line of sight to an elderly man in a wheelchair. They learned later that he was paralyzed. They noticed that during one song, tears trickled from the man's eyes. "His wife was sitting on one side and his nurse was sitting on the other side," said Brother Spencer. "Each wiped his tears." They noticed also that when the audience applauded, the man's wife clapped her hand against his hand so he could participate.
• Elder Craig W. Zwick of the Seventy and his wife, Janet, traveled with the choir from June 22 through June 29. He helped host several VIP receptions. Elder Zwick said that Nathaniel Smith, the 16-year-old son of Toledo Ohio Stake President Dennis R. Smith and Susan Smith, is a gifted music student. He invited two of his teachers to the concert near Cleveland. "Those two teachers watched every detail," said Elder Zwick. "They said, 'This is perfect!' After the concert, one of them asked, 'When will you ever come back?"'
• Wendell Child was on the tour with his wife, Nola, a member of the choir. Before the concert in Nashville, a woman saw his Tabernacle Choir guest badge and told him that she'd like to have her son's picture taken with a choir member. She explained that her son, about 7, was born with severe disabilities. Nurses took turns holding him, trying to stop his crying. The woman said she was inspired to play a Tabernacle Choir CD. Her son immediately calmed down and quit crying. She bought concert tickets for her son's birthday. "If you only knew the peace the choir gave to me and my son when he was born, you would understand why we wanted to be here tonight," the woman told Brother Child.
He said that Stephen W. Carter, a choir member, happened to walk by; he asked him to pose with the boy. "I wish you could have seen that boy's face. He was grinning from ear to ear," Brother Child said.
E-mail to: gerry@desnews.com
