On the Road in 2007: Chicago No Cicadas, Only Beautiful Music and Record Crowds by Bonita Cross of the First Alto Section Chicago's beautiful Ravinia music center gave the Choir and Orchestra a royal welcome. (Click to enlarge). Phantom Infestation With all the worries about the Chicago area’s cicadas, the title of this story might have been "Mormon Choir calls in Seagulls to Quell Cicada Uprising." Word had it that Ravinia would be overrun with the locust-like insect that has a unique 17-year life cycle. National Public Radio had interviewed Welz Kauffman, President and CEO of the Ravinia Festival, about concerns about the cicadas interfering with outdoor concerts. Ravinia purposely scheduled the Choir during the anticipated cicada uprising and NPR wondered how the Choir would respond. Mr. Kauffman stated with a smile: "I did explain to them that the critters will be showing up, and they explained to me that they knew from locusts – it wouldn't be a problem." Click here to listen to the NPR interview. Although early Mormon pioneers had been saved from a cricket infestation by seagulls, the birds were not needed. Before leaving Salt Lake City, the Choir was informed that Ravinia was officially a cicada-free zone. There were a few cicadas around, but they were no match for the Choir and Orchestra. Singers Granted "Impossible Dream" On Wednesday, June 27th, at the sound check prior to the Ravinia concert, two singers--Gale Kappe of the Chicago Sun Magazine and Kay Richards of WFMT Radio--had their "impossible dream" of singing with the Choir fulfilled. Afterward, when asked what it was like Gale replied, "Amazing. I never expected to be singing with that kind of majesty." Kay added, "The word awesome is overused, but not in this instance. It really truly was awesome in the best sense of the word. It’s such a large feeling that wells up inside of you. The feeling wants to get out of your body, you can hardly contain the rapture." "I don’t think anyone can touch them," Gale replied when asked where she believes the Choir stands in the world of choral music. Guests Gale Kappe (left) and Kay Richards (right) relish the fulfillment of their "impossible dream". (Click to enlarge). Later in the rehearsal, the Choir and Orchestra were honored to welcome Frances Cardinal George, Archbishop of the Chicago Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal George had accepted an invitation to guest conduct an encore piece. His sense of humor combined with the dignity of his sacred office certainly endeared him to the group. Dr. Jessop gave him brief conducting instruction and he performed beautifully. To honor both the archbishop and the City of Chicago, the Choir sang new words to their encore piece, "This Land Is Your Land": "This land is your land, this land is my land From Wrigley’s diamond, to the great Sears Tower, From the Hancock building, to Lake Michigan’s waters, This land was made for you and me." Frances Cardinal George cut a striking figure upon the conductor's podium. (Click to enlarge). As he made his entrance, the Ravinia audience gave their beloved archbishop an ovation. He smiled broadly and sang along as he kept a very steady beat, giving the final cutoff with gusto. The Choir and Orchestra on stage. (Click to enlarge). Attendance Records Broken Ravinia is a beautiful venue, located in Highland Park, Illinois – a suburb of Chicago on the Northeast side of the city. This appearance by the Choir and Orchestra broke all attendance records at Ravinia for a classical concert, with over 10,400 people in attendance. Announcer Lloyd Newell recalled that the Choir had been to Chicago six times stretching back to 1893. That appearance was the Choir’s first tour outside of Utah where they competed at an eisteddfod choral competition and where they took second place. "We’ve never gotten over that," he said. "We’ll keep coming back until we get it right." The pavilion was packed. Extra seats were added and there were thousands outside on the surrounding lawn. (Click to enlarge). Toward the end of the evening’s performance, during the stirring anthem, "God Bless America," Craig Jessop drew a chuckle from the audience as he accidentally sent his baton flying into the audience. (In the past, members of the Orchestra have donned hard hats to protect themselves from this regular occurrence.) He literally didn’t miss a beat as he reached down to the podium and picked up his ever-present spare. When taking his bow afterwards, a kind audience member returned the baton. Praises for the Singing Elder W. Craig Zwick, a senior Church official accompanying the Choir said, "We were sitting with the chairman and the CEO of Ravinia and their wives and they were just overcome by the music of the Choir and Orchestra. It was just amazing. The weather held; everything about the night was a ‘ten.’" Elder W. Craig Zwick has accompanied the Choir and Orchestra throughout this tour. One long-time staff member at Ravinia said, "I knew the Choir would be great but it was truly fantastic. I have been here for 14 years and this is the most memorable concert I have ever heard. There are choral groups and then there is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in a league by itself." Amy, audience member, enthused: "I’ve waited 25 years to hear the Choir live. I live in Zion, Illinois and I could hardly wait for you to come to Chicago. The music was stunning. It was incredible to hear you in person. My favorite piece was ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic.’ No one does it like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is so beautiful." After such an event; as a Choir member writing for my colleagues, I can only echo the words of one of our songs: "How can I keep from singing?"