We awoke to a brilliant blue sky today, with a strong wind that has mostly kept the clouds moving through quickly. Our coach arrived in Norwich (say it without the “w” and you’ll be close) soon after 11 a.m. after another drive through beautiful green fields and blossoming trees and flowers. It’s fun to just sit and watch the countryside go by.
Our well-organized sponsors (and lunches) greeted us at the LDS chapel. Next was a short workshop at the local junior high school, where we found that “Glee” has escaped the USA borders. It was interesting to see the kids in their school, and get a little feel for their educational system. There was some singing for one another, and a bit of collaborative singing and questions.
Mariah Wilson conducting Singers and students
All workshop participants
Then we were off to see some of historic Norwich, a Norman city. We were told that at one point Norwich had a church for every week of the year and a pub for every day. I’m not sure which is in official ascendancy now, but we did pass more churches than pubs on our walk today. We spent an hour at the Norwich Castle Keep, which was built between 1095 and 1110. It was used as a prison for about 500 years after it fell out of favor as a castle for the king; then was bought by the city in 1887 to be used as a museum. We toured it with a very knowledgeable and kind gentleman who was quite an expert on the castle; we quite enjoyed our time with him. We then split up into small groups to wander the town, enjoying the market that has been in the central city since about 1070. I marvel at the dates even as I type them. It really is a charming city, with lots of antique stores and other shops. If smiles and some shopping bags are any indication, the choir had a good afternoon discovering the town, the cathedral, and handing out our cards advertising the concert tonight.
Some of the lunch bunch
One of so many flowering trees
Norwich Castle Keep (Union Jack flag flying in the wind)
Inside castle keep - the original walls are beyond the arches
Downtown shopping arcade
Market downtown
After the standard rehearsal to figure out the logistics of a new hall and rehearse the pieces for tonight’s concert, we headed to dinner. A plus tonight was harp accompaniment on “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” provided by Zoe Rasmussen, the LDS music teacher at the school where we did the workshop earlier today. The concert will benefit Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind.
St. Andrew's Hall
The back window of the hall, and the area where over half of the audience sat!
Tonight’s concert programmed yet more literature that the choir had not performed yet, plus what we recognize now as audience favorites. I enjoy watching their faces as they recognize the two hymns that hold such significance for them, and now for us as well. It was a very good concert, and it was obvious that the audience really did enjoy it. We heard many excited, thrilled comments from them as we were waiting for the choir’s hosts to be announced. (While the hall may look a little empty below, over half of the audience liked the acoustics in the upper seats better than on the ground.)
St. Andrew's Hall
St. Andrew's Hall
Our president, Scott Moore, has the system down now, and in no time at all they were off to meet new families and enjoy their gracious hospitality for the night. We know how lucky we are to be touring, and are so very grateful to the LDS wards and stakes who make it possible. Today’s sponsor, Norwich England Stake, kept us on the run today seeing their very fascinating town, fed us often and well, and then provided a wonderful concert venue – then taking us into their homes. How could we ask for anything more?
"Hold On"
8 comments
Sandefur, thanks so much for doing this blog. It means so much to us to be able to keep up with our loved ones and it’s really fun to see the gorgeous photos of the sites. Really, this is an incredible gift.
Thank you.
Agreed! We very much appreciate the time you put in to post all this stuff. Thank you!
I agree one hundred percent! Thank you so much! Thank you for getting the combination from Marianne for us : )
Once again the BYU Singers performed exceptionally and made a lasting impression especially with our distinguished guests. One VIP, a local celebrity and a man used to attending premier events, said that he has never been so moved. During the “Children Will Listen” item he was touched tenderly and shed tears. The Singers rendition of Jerusalem made him want to stand up and sing with them and gave him a feeling of strength he said “that I felt I could walk through a wall”. He loved the items, including Zoe Rasmussen’s harp solo, connected with Wales, who he had represented in international competition. He noticed the genuine joy of the Singers as they performed and asked what that was about. I told him that this was a reflection of their love for the Gospel and that they had a confidence in their true purpose. He said that he had played against footballers like Paul Ince and Roy Keane who had a true purpose but that “they never looked so happy or made me feel so good”.
Another VIP, the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, was deeply moved by the Singers presentation of “Come, Come Ye Saints”. This prompted an opportunity to explain the significance of the hymn to Latter-Day Saints and their Pioneer heritage. In other numbers he was amused and emotionally stirred. The Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Jenny Lay, was also very touched by the themes of the numbers performed by the Singers. Prior to the event I explained that their repertoire included a range of material with some sacred themes. She replied that she would be happy if it were all on sacred themes and following the event she congratulated an uplifting performance.
The Vicar of Litcham, an accomplished chorister and leader of choirs including the Norwich Philharmonic Choir was very complimentary. He was impressed by the tone and skill of the singers, their obvious pleasure in performing, the confidence that Ron Staheli had in his young assistants and the immense discipline of every performer, always constantly attentive to the conductor’s directions. He was suprised at the discipline of the choir presenting one number without a conductor!
Many, many thanks, Lawrence Vingoe, Norwich Stake President
Thanks for coming to Norwich!I am pasting here all the comments from the Guest Book. I hope I have not messed up the spelling!
Franz Sidney, ADPA, Norwich Stake
It was a pleasure to be in attendance – truly the spirit of the music you brought to life distilled open our souls as the dew of Heaven.
It was without doubt one of the most uplifting musical experiences of the year – Thank you all for your dedication.
Bob Barber, Norwich
The singing we heard was so professionally done and was such an uplifting experience, and will stay in our memories for a long time; thank you for such a memorable evening.
Roger Mullucks, Dereham
We were truly privileged to help organize your visit to Norwich, show you around our city and attend the most fantastic choral concert we have ever attended. It was a pleasure to ave you here. Thank you all for an amazing day and evening!
Steve and Amy Arber
It was truly a pleasure to attend the wonderful concert and performance by the BYU Singers. The harmony and power of the choir was brilliant and the spirit strongly felt. I am truly grateful for the opportunity I had to listen to such a wonderful event.
Elder Fernandez, Brazil, serving a mission in England
To the BYU Singers, it was so much fun to be able to listen to your wonderful performance. I was extremely impressed with your level of excellence in your performance! It was such a great opportunity to listen to such a magnificent group of singers. Thank you so much fo your voices, enjoy your time in the UK.
Elder Affleck, Germany, serving a mission in England
Truly a wonderful evening. The memory will stay with me, what a wonderful choir. Lovely people, such dedication. I loved it.
Pamela Mullocks, Dereham
I really enjoyed the choir. It was very inspirational to me as a new member of the LDS chuch, to see young and old in the audience. I appreciated, a wonderful session, hopefully we will have more in the future!
Barry Drummond, Dereham
It was so nice to see the choir, we thought it was an opportunity to hear and see them. Also, such fine young people, who will be the leaders in our Church. We are in good luck.
Pat and Ken Parker, Dereham
We are so privileged to have you attend our event and to bless us with your gifts and talents. I teach the Youth that sacred music, thoughtfully and carefully performed, will provide a vehicle for the witness of the Spirit. Your performance strengthened my testimony of this truth.
Our VIPs were individually touched by the words and music of your performance. Many tears were shed and strong, positive feelings were experienced.
Your obedience and sacrifice have served to strengthen members, friends and guests.
Thank you,
Lawrence Vingoe, Norwich Stake President
P.S. see my recollections of VIP comments on your Norwich performance blog page!
What a great privilege and joy to attend the concert of “The BYU Singers”. So uplifting and extremely moving. An absolutely wonderful choir. I wish I could hear them again and again. Thank you all so very much.
Shopping for and preparing 50 sack lunches wasn’t easy but I’d do it every week if we could have you back and enjoy the musical feast that we had last week. We had four friends, not of our faith, wo were with us that evening and they were so delighted that we had invited them and couldn’t believe the professionalism of the choir, and the beautiful sound you all made. You were amazing and we loved it – and our “girls”, Ruth, Heather and Karen are welcome to come and stay any time!
As I know, Brigham Young University has one of the largest choral programs in the US with around 500 members. At the top of the program are the BYU Singers, with only 40 voices, conducted by Dr. Ronald J. Staheli. They’ve toured and recorded extensively, including a fantastically received compendium of Eric Whitacre’s a cappella works.