On the Road in 2007: Cleveland Bringing Tears of Joy to Many Eyes and Warmth to Many Hearts by Robb Cundick of the Second Tenor Section Immediately following their evening concert at Chautauqua, New York, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square boarded buses for Cleveland, Ohio, arriving at 1 a.m. Sunday morning. After the challenge of performing four concerts in two days, the musicians looked forward to a restful Sabbath—but restful did not mean uneventful. Breakfast came at a little more leisurely hour (9 a.m.) than previous days and was immediately followed by a Sunday church meeting at the hotel. The meeting consisted of partaking of the sacrament (communion), special music (a hymn arrangement presented by the viola section of the Orchestra) and inspirational talks, in this case by Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Church’s First Quorum of Seventy and his wife, Janet. The viola number is worth a special mention since it’s not often that one hears an ensemble comprised entirely of violas (with piano accompaniment). Their ability to emote both the fullness and depth of the lower musical registers as well as the bright, higher notes usually associated with violins created a gorgeous sound that was an inspiration to hear. The Cleveland area is of special significance to the Choir and Orchestra because the nearby community of Kirtland was the first major gathering place for early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the 1830’s, many significant historical events took place there—the most notable being the construction of the Church’s first temple. While the building is now owned by the Community of Christ, many other nearby buildings have been restored or reconstructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of its Historic Kirtland Visitor Center. Arrangements had been made for the Choir and Orchestra to take advantage of their visit to the Cleveland area to see visit these cherished historical sites. Choir and Orchestra members assemble outside the Kirtland Temple. (Click to enlarge). The musicians spent the entire afternoon in Kirtland, where they enjoyed a time of not only physical, but spiritual renewal. The Kirtland Temple was the most anticipated stop. The Choir, Orchestra and guests were divided into two groups—each having a turn to sing in the Temple while the other group sang for visitors on a grassy slope down the hill at Historic Kirtland. Singing for visitors at Kirtland. (Click to enlarge). Through the graciousness of the Community of Christ, members of the Choir filled the lower floor of the temple including the four choir lofts that occupy each corner of the building. At the conclusion of a historical presentation about the building, Choir Director Craig Jessop led all of the singers in associate conductor Mack Wilberg’s glorious setting of “The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning,” a hymn written for—and first performed at—the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. The hymn carries deep meaning and significance to Latter-day Saints. Perhaps more than any other, it expresses the religion’s heart. To sing it here at its birthplace brought forth very tender feelings and emotions. It was one of those experiences of a lifetime, bringing tears to many eyes and warmth to many hearts. Colorful railcars such as this one carried the travelers through Cuyahoga National Park. Monday evening’s performance at Blossom Music Festival was preceded by a twenty-mile ride on the historic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The journey made its way through Ohio’s picturesque Cuyahoga National Park and ended at the Hale Farm and Village, where 19th century buildings from the region have been relocated to create an historic village. The visitors enjoyed a barbeque lunch and then strolled the grounds and buildings to view furnishings, demonstrations of period crafts, and first person interpretations depicting life as it was in mid-19th century Ohio. Of special interest was a safe once owned by the Prophet Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The visitors were also delighted to learn that Jonathan Hale, the original owner of the farm, was the 4th great grandfather of Carol Jeffries, who is a current member of the Choir. The barbeque at Hale Farm and Village. (Click to enlarge). Blossom Music Center is the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra. Completed in 1968, it bears the name of the Dudley S. Blossom family, a major supporter of the orchestra throughout its history. A major renovation was completed in 2003 and the center now hosts a 10-week season of summer concerts. The award-winning Blossom Pavilion, where the Choir and Orchestra performed, is noted for its superb acoustical design and distinctive architecture. The spacious pavilion and surrounding lawn area provided an ideal setting for a large crowd to enjoy the Choir and Orchestra. Attendance Monday evening was just over four thousand. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform at Blossom Pavilion. (Click to enlarge). Unique to the Cleveland concert was a taping of the 4,061st installment of the Choir’s weekly broadcast, Music and the Spoken Word. The program order was adjusted from the Toronto and Chautauqua concert so that half an hour of the second half could be taped for the broadcast along with announcer Lloyd Newell’s Spoken Word message. It was a challenge for the audience to sit on their hands and avoid applause, especially for such rousing selections as “Bound for the Promised Land,” “Cindy,” and “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” But finally, after the broadcast concluded, all that stored energy found its expression in a resounding ovation. Three more numbers followed, and then two encores. At the end it was plain that those in attendance were thrilled with the concert, for despite the discomfort of a hot and humid summer evening, they seemed to long for more. Announcer Lloyd Newell delivers his Spoken Word message. (Click to enlarge). In his message, Lloyd Newell spoke about John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, who has become a legendary figure for his practice of planting apple seeds as he traveled throughout large parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois in the early 19th century. The message concluded by drawing a parallel between the seeds sewn by Johnny Appleseed and the good influences that each of us can leave behind as we make our way through life. In a similar fashion, this tour by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square is bringing tears of joy to many eyes and warmth to many hearts—even as the musicians themselves experienced while singing in the Kirtland Temple.