Pioneer Day, Utter Glee

Matt Morrison. Image captured by my fellow choir member, Alex Lindstrom during a rehearsal for the Pioneer Day Concerts.

After a busy tour, we returned only to focus on rehearsals for the Pioneer Day Concert. It was utter glee for us because our guest artists were Matthew Morrison, Laura Michelle Kelly, and Oscar Hammerstein IV. The program was focused on the Hammerstein songbook and how it relates to the pioneering spirit.

Matthew Morrison was a cast member of the television show Glee which was popular a few years ago. The image above of Matthew Morrison was taken by my choir friend, Alex.

Laura Michelle Kelly is an amazing performer as well. She originated the role of Mary Poppins and has performed in a variety of other projects. She is an amazingly warm performer and she mentioned she would be getting married in six months (around December?) so I guess she won't be a Christmas guest. Boo. It was great to watch her perform up close. She is amazing.

In other interesting news, while I was in New York in 2015 for the choir tour in that area, I actually watched Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly in their musical, Finding Neverland.

I took this picture right before we watched the show. The theater was right across the street from our hotel (Marriot Marquis) on Times Square. Wonderful show.

It was weird to think how everything came full circle in a way. The Broadway cast also included Kelsey Grammar (tv's Frasier). It was a wonderful musical and now, a few years later, we are all performing together again.

Mack reminded every one of the need to attend rehearsals and participate in the Concerts.

Summer is a busy time for everyone. Vacations, family reunions, work, etc. still need to occur IN ADDITION to choir responsibilities. It is not uncommon for the numbers of choir members to decrease greatly during the summer months and especially after tour. It's hard to explain but tour takes a lot of time away from family, work and friends and to return only to focus more time on choir can be a challenge. Balance is imperative.

Anyway, as we rehearsed with the guest artists, it was apparent that this years Pioneer Day Concert was going to be amazing. They were so genuine in their performances. They were open to feedback and they worked hard. They were amiable to the choir as a whole. Saying hello, waving, interacting, etc. It was wonderful.

One of the things I enjoy most about guests is being able to see us all unite in a common cause. When they leave and we sing a fond, "God Be With You" to them after the broadcast, there is something special between all of us. Our collaboration has brought us all closer to each other. 

When we sang farewell, Laura Michelle Kelly was particularly moved to tears. I really hope she returns as a future guest because she really is an amazing performer. 

One thing I learned later is that Laura Michelle Kelly stayed in Salt Lake for a few more days and was able to enjoy the city. That just makes me happy. I'm glad she enjoyed her time here. 

Watch the concert here:

So, now with tour finished, Pioneer Day Concert finished and the never-ending rehearsals and broadcasts, you can guess that many of us are pretty tired. Well, we are but this is choir life. Tired BUT grateful for this opportunity.

The next project we have are a few concerts in Logan, Utah.

And the never-ending train of choir life continues to move forward. Choo-choo!