Last month I pretended that I stopped going to church. For those of you who would worry, don't. It was all a pretense, and not a very good one at that.
I'd recently been relieved of a position of some responsibility, which left me free to participate with an orchestra in SLC, and early morning broadcasts with a famous group of singers. The problem was that the broadcasts were 9:30-10:00 am, and my ward (geographically formed congregation) met at 10:00 am - with the two locations being approximately an hour apart. The first week, or so, I didn't attend any worship service, but then my Auntie informed me that their Sacrament Meeting met at 10:50. And since she lived a mere fifteen minutes from downtown, that was what I did.
Sundays were great. I'd wake up in time to leave by 6:30 (at least, that was my intention) to arrive in SLC by a little before 8 am. We'd ) would rehearse, and then do a complete run through for timing. Often the tempo of a song had to be slightly adjusted to fit the half hour time slot.
Then, at 9 am, the organ would begin playing, and the Voice would begin. It was quite an experience to be in the Tabernacle, with that organ. I'd had the opportunity to play there before: All-State Orchestra, and a joint U/BYU concert, but never with the Tabernacle Choir.
The best came for the Mother's Broadcast. I normally don't approve of camera time, because, well, that means you are being beamed into (insert number here) homes! I know no one really notices those things, but when you leave your house close to 6:30 am, you tend to feel not quite presentable.
So, Mother's Day there was an English Horn part which I was able to play, and since it was a solo line, a camera man comes and points the camera at you - it actually ended up being a duet, but I hadn't heard the clarinet. We weren't quite together (my fault, especially since I didn't realize the doubling), but since the camera markings were already done, I got to play.
Normally I would grimace, as mentioned, but it was Mother's Day, and my mum lives far away, but is able to watch the broadcast; it was like I got to say HI. I even thought of wearing a pin that said Happy Mother's Day, or writing it on my eyelids, or something, but I refrained. (Sorry dad, I'm not scheduled for this weekend... Happy Father's Day!!)
I've learned a lot, and have gained a lot of experience. And it was a safe learning atmosphere, as well, for which I am grateful.
3 comments:
That's so neat that your mommy could see you from so far away. I didn't know you were playing with the famous orchestra! Yay!
the eyelid thing would've been great. i don't know what the conductor would've done with you, though. i would've, however, paid money to see that.
You should have said something when we got together last month I would have watched to look for you!!
Post a Comment