My blog post Question and Answer Time was so popular and I have since received some more questions, I thought it would be good to have a part 2. Again, the premise is that people ask questions regarding The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Some questions asked I cannot answer due to either I don't know or I'm not privy to that information. And I do give recognition to those who did ask questions. So, without any further ado..
  • Thom Sutherland remarked: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has classified information?
Yes, Thom, they do. Many things are made known just before they are announced publicly. For our past  Christmas concert, we weren't privy of the guest star information until everyone was. Things, such as upcoming tours, concerts, recordings, and other special events are generally made known to the choir but we are asked not to divulge those things until given the "green light".
  • Sheila DuBois asked: What does it take to become a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?
Thanks for your question, Sheila. I went over the basic requirements in my last Question and Answer Time blog post. And there is information on what it takes from the official Mormon Tabernacle Choir website . Just to add to this, it does take a lot of time, commitment, determination, and spirituality. I have yet to fully understand, nor may I ever understand the depth and breadth of being called a musical missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It, to me is a very sacred calling as we proclaim our united testimonies in song. We may never know the effect we have, but every once in a while a letter is read to us from the choir president that cements in my mind why I do what I do.
  • Kirk Davies asked several questions: Does Mack Wilberg (the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director) earn royalties on his arrangements when the choir performs them, or is that part of his duties as director?
Kirk, I do not know the answer to this question. It is one of those things that I am not privy to, nor would I feel comfortable asking him that. :) But if I could guess, I would say that when we perform one of his arrangements or even compositions, we perform it without royalty. If you tune into Music and the Spoken Word regularly, you will see that there are many many Mack Wilberg (and Ryan Murphy, Associate Director and Richard Elliott (Principal Organist) arrangements. I think they are done gratis laus Deo (my rough interpretation meaning free to the glory of God).
  • How does the choir hear one another and the orchestra when they sing in the Conference Center vs. the Tabernacle?
Great question, Kirk. The Conference Center is one of the largest congregation venues and its massive size is not conducive to hearing one another. The carpet and the plush seats all absorb the sound. Conversely, in the Tabernacle the wood seats and the fact that the entire building has a dome above it makes the sound come around you in a 360 degree washing of sounds. Furthermore, in the Tabernacle, where one sits, the sound can be completely different. A good hint for both the Conference Center and Tabernacle if you are looking for seating, the sound booth area is where the sound is mixed. But getting back to hearing. Luckily, with the advent of modern technology, microphones and speakers and our good friends in the audio booth allow us to hear each other.
  • How can the people on the back row of the Conference Center see the conductor when he is so far away with the orchestra in front of him?
Another good question, Kirk. Having had opportunities to sit on the back row, I can tell you I am grateful for my glasses! :) One just has to (in my opinion) be even more attentive when on the back row. And I might add, that there is a definite "Doppler effect" when singing from different locations in both the Conference Center and the Tabernacle.
  • Finally, Kirk asked: Have the Choirs general tone changed on recent recordings? Have the directors worked with the choir on improving that?
Kirk, I love your questions. Thank-you! The choir's sound has definately changed over the years. The choir directors of late have been stressing enunciation. Some quick tips for choir directors:
    • The American R (as in the sound a pirate says) has no place in choral singing.
    • Look at the words being sung and make your voice have musical inflections, or dynamics as if you were speaking. This sets choirs apart.
The older recordings made the choir have this wonderful wall of sound, but they suffered from what I term "marble mouth". You could not understand a single word. And since the words are much more important than the sound, emphasis has been placed on that as well as staying in tune. Having our wonderful choir directors who can hear in a full orchestration with 8 part vocal harmony that the 2nd alto's were flat on a particular note, or the 2nd trombone played an incorrect note is a blessing. What a wonderful gift they posses of being pitch-perfect! The directors drive us to, or very close to perfection. Their commitment and enthusiasm carries through to the entire organization; The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Orchestra at Temple Square, and the Bells of Temple Square. We all contribute towards perfecting our art.
  • Last, but certainly not least, Rambo Ruiz asked two questions: Does the choir have any members who are from the Phillipines?
Thanks for your question, Rambo. I tried to check around and I got no response, so unfortunately I don't have an answer for you. I know we do have multi-nationalities in the choir; Japan, England, and Nigeria to name but a few. Maybe if someone from the choir who reads my blog posts may respond if they might know. edit: According to one member of the organization, we do have have a member in the choir from the Phillipines. And add to the list Kenya, Germany, Canada, Korean, Mexican, and Polynesean background. Thanks Deb!
  • Rambo asked: Does the Mormon Tabernacle Choir have any plans to tour to the Phillipines? 
Rambo, this is one of the things that choir members are not privy to. I don't even know how far in advance tours are planned, but I do know that they are a logistics challenge. Imagine if you will, trying to get 600 people plane fares, hotel rooms, catering, all the wardrobe that has to come along, the cities that will be visited, the sound equipment shipped (and hoping it makes it from venue to venue). This is just the tip of the iceberg, if you will. There is so much "behind the scenes" things happening that have my great appreciation for the countless hours put in. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir stopped touring abroad when security became an issue. And there is always speculation from the choir members where we will be touring in 2015. Many choir members hope that it will be abroad, since it appears things are getting back to some sort of normalcy, but I will be happy wherever we go as it will be my first tour. :) 

Thanks everyone for your questions. I hope you can see from my answers how much I love being a Musical Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As I mentioned before, it is the best calling I have ever had. I am open to more installments of "question and answer time", so if you have any further questions, let me know.


Continue reading at the original source →