Have you ever thought
it might be fun to be part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?
Or to play the
Tabernacle organ?
Or wondered what the Choir members and Orchestra see when they are performing?
We enjoyed the
performance very much, but at the end were surprised to hear that inspiration
for the day’s program had come from the Speaker’s son, who was about to leave
for a mission in Australia! I think there could have been as many as
2,000 people in that room, and couldn’t help wondering if it wasn’t more than a
coincidence that on that special morning that young man and his family had ‘run
into’ perhaps the only Tasmanian in the room. And I don’t think it was just a coincidence
that I had woken early, and felt inspired to go to the Tabernacle Choir!
Journal, 21st
January: “Yesterday was a public holiday honouring Martin Luther King, as
reflected in the Tabernacle Choir’s Sunday program, consisting of a wonderful
message about tolerance and peace, and many Negro Spiritual songs, which I love.
I’ve found if you arrive at 8.30
you can hear the full broadcast program in final rehearsal, then a break when
special guests are introduced (and you’re s’posed to get all your coughing done!),
and the final concert is broadcast at 9.30, so you can hear it all again.
Its great. Don't know which Australian stations are among the
2,000 that carry the program, but I’ll be looking for them.”
2nd March: “Flew
out of bed late, and rushed off to Tabernacle Choir. Of the thousands of people there, I
‘happened’ to sit right beside Ian and Inga’s grand-daughter, who I’d never
met. She ‘happened’ to be visiting with
some of her university mates, and ‘happened’ to identify my accent when I spoke. Then I ‘happened’ to guess her family when
she mentioned her grandparents’ Hobart suburb.
I thought the whole occurrence to be just one more of what Gerald Lund
would call ‘God’s signatures’, and counted it a singular blessing to be able to
report the meeting to Inga, who had so recently been bereaved of a beloved sister.”
Apart from the
wonderful music, I love the Tabernacle Choir for its power to somehow
facilitate small miracles for the comfort and blessing of those who
attend. How many times have I sat
beside a visitor and felt with them a spiritual moment that has truly touched
their hearts, and mine?
Did you know a reason
that the Tabernacle building is so acoustically effective is because it’s roof
is shaped like the roof of your mouth?
Music is a big part of
the activity on Temple Square, with a rehearsal, concert or other performance
occurring somewhere almost every day.
Bust music is only one of its delights.
Each Sunday after the
Choir’s performance, immediately outside the Tabernacle, the young Sister
Missionaries offer tours to visitors, in a special presentation, each using
their own native language. It is such a
delight to see so many sincere and lovely young women who are so truly
beautiful, inside and out.
There are many wonderful aspects to Temple Square. Interesting old buildings and carefully tended gardens, as well as the many and varied educational, dramatic and musical events. Many people who visit can feel a special peace and beauty beyond what is obvious to our normal senses.
As well as major events
like the weekly broadcasts of ‘Music and the Spoken Word’, or the recent Easter
rendition of ‘Handel’s Messiah’, there are many more modest productions. Perhaps tunes on a grand piano to accompany
lunch, lectures on faith, or a recital on the Tabernacle organ. Perhaps the work of a woodwind school, or
violin group in the Assembly Hall, or a concert from a university choir or
visiting soloist. In my experience, all
are wonderful, and although of outstanding quality, entirely free of charge.
In its full
organization the Tabernacle Choir itself has three parts. ‘Orchestra at Temple Square’ which often
accompanies the Choir, the singers themselves, and the newer and more rarely
seen but delightful Bells on Temple Square in their charmingly gold-braided
black coats.
I felt very privileged
to attend this year’s performance of ‘Handel’s Messiah’. My seat was upstairs at the very back of the Tabernacle,
on a very hot Good Friday evening, with a packed house. In the break I saw the unusual ventilation
ports opened. Surprisingly for me, I
remained alert through the entire performance, which I had never seen
before. Having the printed libretto
allowed me to better appreciate the singing, and to see the beauty and
completeness of the sublime story; whose entire text consists of various Biblical
quotations. I was pleased to hear the
entire performance will soon be released on CD.
Another favourite for
me was the Choir’s Mother’s Day program, including many beloved tunes, as well
as a performance by The Bells. ‘Ring Out for Joy’ was a total delight of cascading
sound; with the unforgettable final note consisting of a most resounding and
surprising, complete silence.
And the following
Sunday’s celebration of Veterans’ Day, was equally engaging, but all about
drums. I have never heard such a varied and eloquent percussion,
and I wished my two cadet ‘drummer’ nephews could hear the kind of performance
they might one day hope to achieve!
Recently the Choir
retired about 30 of its 360 volunteer members because they had either reached the
age limit of 65, or the service limit of 20 years. It was fun to be present at their last
performance, where their contribution was honoured by the personal attendance
of President Monson, the prophet.
It was interesting to
see that retiring members had asked their fellow choristers to sign their Hymn
book; preferably on the page of their favourite hymn.
And finally, a few more
highlights and trivial details from a recent rare opportunity to see behind the
scenes of the Tabernacle Choir.
Can you imagine how
many copies of music are needed for every song, when all 360 members sing their
part? How much storage space is needed
for the music alone, with all the songs performed over all the years since 1929?
