June 29, 2009 Almost Home: Denver Concert at Red Rocks Concludes Tour The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square at Red Rocks. (Click to enlarge). Under a beautiful evening sky, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performed its final concert of the 2009 tour at the stunning Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, Colorado. The Choir’s last performance in this beautiful setting was 25 years ago in 1984. The most recent performance of the Choir and Orchestra in the Denver area was in November of 2005. That concert, in the Pepsi Center, also was a benefit for the National Sports Center for the Disabled and attracted a sell out crowd of 15,300. Heavy traffic for the event necessitated a police escort for our buses. After completing their duty, the officers pose with two women from the Choir. (Click to enlarge). This June 29, 2009 concert ranked as unique and memorable in many ways: the incredible setting amidst the massive sandstone monoliths; the largest (and most participatory!) crowd of the tour—estimated at up to 8,700; the sponsorship for disabled athletes; playing “Call of the Champions” in their honor; and the special surprise of the attendance of President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Monson, who serves as the advisor to the Choir and Orchestra, had hinted that he might join the tour at some point and it was a special treat to finish the tour with him in the audience. President Thomas S. Monson greets the crowd. (Click to enlarge). As noted, the concert was a special benefit for the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD). This organization helps the disabled including Colorado’s Iraqi War Veterans and others through its programs. Over 23,000 athletes are served annually thru the NSCD. In the afternoon, before the concert, the Choir and Orchestra were stunned by the beauty of the setting as they arrived for their sound check. Three special guests attended the rehearsal and participated in the singing of “Amazing Grace”: David Kates, Director of Music and Worship Ministeries of the Littleton United Methodist Church; Leslie Sanford, generous concert sponsor; and Rick Crandall, host of the radio station KEZW, which broadcasts Music and the Spoken Word in the Denver area. Leslie Sanford, who helped sponsor the concert, had a terrific time singing "Amazing Grace" with the Choir. (Click to enlarge). Most memorable at the sound check were remarks by Elder Craig Christensen, the Church General Authority assigned to accompany the Choir and Orchestra on tour, who said: “We have enjoyed being with you. We have listened to many of your stories. We’ve taken pictures of you sleeping on buses. We’ve watched you at work rehearsing. I’ve made two observations. First, you’re the hardest working missionaries in the Church; you could put some of those 19 year olds to shame! You really work hard, and we’ve seen that. We’ve never realized how much effort you put in, and you should be congratulated. Second is the power of your message. You can sing what we can’t say. Every night when you take over, the spirit just pours out. We’ve been sitting by people from many walks of life, and we watch them as each one becomes moved by the spirit. You’re wonderful, we appreciate your having us along; we’ll volunteer any time they want someone to come along again.” Elder Craig Christensen addresses the Choir and Orchestra. (Click to enlarge). The enthusiastic audience thrilled as the music of Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” echoed from the rock walls surrounding the Amphitheatre to open the concert. The Choir and Orchestra kept the audience’s rapt attention through its “Music of the Masters” and “Music from Around the Word” sections, to the captivating “Amazing Grace”. The women never sang more beautifully the reverent opening strains of “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, and the men’s voices were never more powerful or compelling in their “Ebenezer” chorus in that same number, to conclude the first half of the program. Part of the huge audience. (Click to enlarge). After intermission, Dean Singleton, publisher of the Denver Post, thanked the audience for coming and supporting the NSCD, introducing “The Call of the Champions” to start the second half. Alex Boye’, with “I want Jesus to Walk with Me” and “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham”, and Richard Elliott, with organ solo of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, somehow outdid even themselves, engaging the audience to clap, hoot, rock, and stomp, before finally bringing down the house with thunderous applause. After “Come, Come, Ye Saints”, the obligatory but always stirring “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and multiple bows to a standing ovation, the Choir and Orchestra encored with “This Land is Your Land” under the baton of none other than Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. of Colorado, who clearly won the prize as our most enthusiastic, fun-loving, and animated guest conductor of the tour. (He also demonstrated the difficulty and danger of holding the baton by its pointed end, projecting it inadvertently between two startled violinists during a dramatic conducting moment!) Look out! Governor Ritter was so excited to lead us he didn't notice he was holding the wrong end of the baton! (Click to enlarge). Our venue near Denver will be for many the most memorable on our tour. The power of the music praising God and celebrating American folk hymns and spirituals in the magical setting of the Amphitheater provided a joyous experience for all who attended and all who participated. In the spirit of John William’s “Call of the Champions”, there are many “champions” for whom this stirring hymn may be dedicated, but these surely must include those who worked so hard to plan, prepare, and fulfill this marvelous missionary tour in song, including those behind the scenes. A special highlight in Denver for everyone who performed was President Monson’s personal attendance. Sitting “front and center”, his presence, his smile, his enthusiasm inspired all to perform at their highest level for this final concert. The performance at Red Rocks. (Click to enlarge). The wistful melodies of “Homeward Bound”, begun so beautifully on the penny whistle by Darren Bradford, had special meaning on this last concert of the tour as it brought to mind special feelings of our homes and loved ones in Utah soon to be waiting for us at the conclusion of this most memorable and successful 2009 tour. By Kathleen Anderson, Violist