June 30, 2009 Homeward Bound: Tour’s End The Orchestra and Choir were champing at the bit as morning arrived. Home was the goal for the day and it lay over 500 miles away. The exhilaration of last night’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre concert was certainly on everyone’s mind, but the high plains of Colorado and Wyoming stretched before us and we wanted to get moving. Our busses rolled out of Denver at approximately 9:00 a.m., and arrived in Salt Lake City 11 hours later. Little America offered an oasis-like respite before the final leg of our journey home. (Click to enlarge). Many thanks to the kind people at Little America, WY for their hospitality and a great dinner under a gigantic tent. Hamburgers, bratwurst, and chicken topped the menu. At the bottom of it was a fine assortment of apples, plums, watermelons, peaches, and (greatest of all) ice cream. We were touched as you lined-up to wave goodbye when the last of our busses departed. A western-style barbecue complete with cowboy music cheered us and sent us on our way in high spirits. (Click to enlarge). It is impossible to know how our tour has affected the hearts and minds of the people we have met since we embarked. The audiences have been heavenly. We have been humbled as we watched their faces from the stage each night while the Spirit worked upon them. Some of their individual stories have made it back to us. The kudos for the group’s technical and artistic expertise seem to be overshadowed by how people feel as they attend our concerts. We would have it no other way because our single mission is to provide a means for people to encounter the Spirit of our Heavenly Father. Anything else we accomplish is merely incidental. The members of the Choir and Orchestra are volunteers. People we meet wonder at the great sacrifices they assume we are making in order to belong to this ensemble. The truth, however, is that we are “paid” very, very well for our work. The payments come as blessings and lessons that we would likely never encounter elsewhere in such volume. Several Choir and Orchestra members were asked during the last days of this Central States Tour to reflect on how they have been blessed and on what they have learned during these 13 days on the road. Here is some of what they have said: “I have learned how much people need the blessing of our music. Our leaders are so inspired. Oklahoma City for example was just another city on the list until we arrived and felt the great spirit there. And what an amazing experience that concert was! I have so much more gratitude and feel so much more purpose in my calling as a musical missionary.” (Linda Olson, Choir) “After visiting Church history sites and learning more about the trials of the Saints, I have no reason to ever complain.” (Brent Allen, Choir) “I have grown very understanding of just how much this Choir organization belongs to our Heavenly Father and how important the work is. Along with this, my testimony has been increased as we have been able to walk where Joseph Smith walked. Words cannot tell the feeling of seeing the Nauvoo Temple from the Trail of Hope and knowing this was the last scene the pioneers saw before crossing the river.” (James Prasek, Choir) “Not only should we remember our ancestors, but we should remember that they are watching us. I have ancestors buried in Winter Quarters. During the Omaha concert, I was overwhelmed during “Come, Come, Ye Saints” because of the added connection I felt to the words, my ancestors, and Winter Quarters. Also, we were told of President Monson’s need to rescue those in need. It’s humbling to think that a few voices and players can be such a force for good in such dire times. The Lord makes things happen. There was no logical reason for us to be in Oklahoma, but the audience response was evidence that there was a special spirit that they felt.” (Kathy Ludlow, Orchestra). This little fellow attended the concert in Norman, OK, demonstrating that we were literally able to reach out to people of all ages! (Click to enlarge). Overall, our experience on this tour has taught us that there are many decent and good people in the world who are hungry for a connection with our Father in Heaven through the music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. They have deep feelings for their homes and their families. They love their country, and pray that God will bless it. They seek personal solace and peace, and they care deeply for their fellow men. Their responses to our concerts were so moving. There is little room for us to have pride in our message and our vehicle for delivering it because there’s not one of us who can deliver it without the total effort of every other person in our organization. We know that Heavenly Father intends for us to be a means for reaching people of all faiths. We give Him credit for the message and thank Him for the experiences we have in delivering it. By Will Francis, French Horn