Monday, June 22, 2009 Des Moines: Service through Singing Some of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s most ardent Iowa fans couldn’t attend the Choir’s concert in Des Moines – so the music came to them. Groups of Choir members visited several Des Moines care centers to sing for their residents, many of whom are fans of the Music and the Spoken Word television broadcast. Lavina, a resident of the Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center, said she watches the broadcast faithfully, and attended a live Choir performance during a long-ago trip to Salt Lake City. “It was extra nice to have them come here,” she said. One wheelchair-bound resident, Bob, moved his lips along with every song of the mini-concert, which included such favorites as “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “God Bless America” and “Come, Come Ye Saints.” “I sang in a Choir for many years,” said Bob, “and this was just wonderful. Thank you so much.” Small but enthusiastic groups of Choir members sang at two care centers. (Click to enlarge). The visits to the Scottish Rites Park and Wesley Acres care centers were planned so that Choir members could give service while on their concert tour of the America’s heartland. It is unusual for the 360-voice Choir to divide its ranks for performance, but the centers could accommodate only about 40 singers at a time. “Because this is a service project, we made an exception,” said Choir general manager Scott Barrick. Care center residents were delighted to have their own mini-concert. (Click to enlarge). For some residents, the chance to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was a lifelong dream, and emotions ran high during the brief performance. Choir members -- who usually can’t see the faces of their audiences -- were touched by the close-up view of eyes welling with joyful tears. Due to tight schedules there is usually little time for visiting with our audiences. At the care centers, things weren't so hurried! (Click to enlarge). “I felt misty as we sang the words ‘When you walk through a storm,’ because many of these people have walked through storms I will never face,” said second soprano Yvonne Jessop. “It was very different to perform without a conductor, and to see people’s faces as we sang.” ...Enough time to make friends! (Click to enlarge). The night before, on Sunday evening, June 21, the Choir, Orchestra and support staff had a late arrival in Des Moines, but the travelers enjoyed a rare chance to sleep in on Monday morning. Once awake, group members had opportunities to visit sites of interest in Des Moines. The city of Des Moines was founded in 1843, as a fort near the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. It is surrounded by some of the world’s finest farmland. The gently rolling landscape is green and beautiful, and its skies fill with gigantic stacks of cumulus clouds unlike any seen in Utah. Some of the travelers went to the Living History Farms, a 600-acre complex of working farms that preserves the essence of rural life over three centuries. The complex includes a replica of an Ioway Indian village from around 1700; a mid-19th-century pioneer farm; and a modern agricultural operation. Others visited the Des Moines Arts Center, Science Center of Iowa and Des Moines Botanical Center. And, some enjoyed ordering room service at the lovely Des Moines Marriott Hotel, and spending the morning elevating their tired, aching feet. The warm, humid weather that helps to make Iowa such a productive farming region is a mixed blessing for Choir members. Many find the humidity helpful in keeping their voices sounding good throughout the difficult demands of concerts, sound checks and video shoots. But, the unaccustomed moisture takes its toll on hairstyles chosen for Utah’s dry climate -- a challenge for performers who need to keep their appearance at its best. Women of the Choir and Orchestra are learning new ways to tame their damp curls, or they are simply embracing more natural, curly-haired styles. Choir women offered these anonymous tips on helping hair survive humidity: Use bobby pins -- generously. There is no such thing as too much gel, pomade or hair spray. Wear tennis shoes, so people will think you are sweating because you are an athlete. Stock up on tissue at rest stops, and use it to blot moist foreheads. Lower your expectations. Carry a bag – to put over your head as needed. The Choir’s Des Moines performance was at Wells Fargo Arena, a 17,000-seat venue completed in 2005. The arena is the home of three minor leagues sports teams: the Iowa Chops hockey team; Iowa Energy basketball team; and Iowa Barnstormers arena football team. The building’s construction is notable for its open design, which incorporates views of the Des Moines skyline.   Choir women perform in Des Moines (Click to enlarge). The concert program showed the breadth of the Choir’s musical range, which includes hymns of faith, classical choruses, folk music of the world, favorite inspirational show tunes and patriotic favorites. Excitement built throughout the evening, meaning the audience became more vocal in expressing appreciation during the concert’s second half. Soloist Alex Boye’’s soaring falsetto cadenza at the end of “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me,” again drew whistles, calls and loud applause, as did organist Rick Elliott’s jazzy solo arrangement of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Principal Tabernacle Organist Richard Elliott's performance brought loud cheers from the audience. (Click to enlarge). “Come, Come Ye Saints,” written in Iowa by William Clayton during the Mormon pioneers’ trek across the Great Plains connected well with the audience, as did announcer Lloyd Newell’s remarks about putting aside differences and going forward with optimism. However, nothing galvanizes Mormon Tabernacle Choir audiences like the Choir and Orchestra’s performance of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The roaring ovation that followed the “Battle Hymn” was rewarded with a rousing encore performance of “This Land is Your Land.” The evening ended, as usual, with an a cappella blessing on the Choir’s fans in Iowa. The Choir’s tender rendition of “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” left a momentary hush over the crowd, followed by more applause. After the show, audience members made enthusiastic comments about the performance: “It was a blessing to hear you sing,” said an Iowa woman. “Please come back again.” The greatest reward for members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square is the smiles on the faces of our listeners. (Click to enlarge). For Choir and Orchestra members, the concert was a thrilling experience that gave these dedicated musicians a chance to share their talents and testimonies with an appreciative and responsive audience of many thousands. Still, for some, the morning’s intimate performances in Des Moines care centers made a more lasting impression. “That was my favorite part of the tour so far,” second tenor Michael Bailey said of his chance to sing the Scottish Rite Park care center. “The grand events are nice, but this is what it is all about.” By Celia R. Baker, First Alto