San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus performs with Mormon Tabernacle Choir

[EmmaLee]

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus performs with Mormon Tabernacle Choir
By
Jason Swensen
Published: June 25, 2018 9:50 pm

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — When Dr. Timothy Seelig, the artistic director of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, first heard his organization was being invited to perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, he guessed it was a prank.

"Yeah, when pigs fly," thought the native Texan.

But he soon learned the invite was legitimate — and he was quick to accept.

The veteran choral leader knows music is often called a universal language, but it is also a global unifier. It can bring people together who may seem at odds.

Music's unifying power was on full display Monday here on the stage of the Shoreline Amphitheater in Northern California. Standing shoulder to shoulder for a sound check rehearsal was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and several members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.

It wasn't hard to spot the men from the chorus; they were the ones wearing purple T-shirts with the name of the organization emblazoned across their chests.

But otherwise, they blended in with their fellow performers as choir conductors Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy led them through segments of songs to be performed at Monday night's concert, the fourth stop of the choir's 2018 Classic Coast Tour.

Chorus member Chris Pettallano expressed a common sentiment heard often Monday: It's all about the music.

"I believe music is universal … so this opportunity is a blessing," he said. "I am not surprised that music can bring two different communities together."

It was 10 years ago that the church that the choir represents supported Proposition 8 in California affirming the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. The proposition was supported by voters but later overturned by judges. The church was both supported and criticized for its efforts, but it became a wedge issue between many in both the gay community and the church community.

Pettallano grew up Mormon and a musician. He said he remembers listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, "so this is very exciting for me."

Wherever the tour takes the choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square, they look to rehearse with the choral community in the locations where they will perform. So it's logical they would reach out to the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.

The 2018 Choir Tour includes three Bay Area venues. The San Francisco chorus — which features some 300 voices — has been touring and recording for some four decades.

"The purpose of music is to unite people," said Mormon Tabernacle Choir President Ron Jarrett. "Music affects people in many ways. This is a great opportunity to bring two cultures, if you will, to the center of things and to build bridges, to make friends, and to make an enjoyable experience for everyone through music."

Since its beginning, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has functioned as an ambassador for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That charge was evident Monday. "The chorus members are having a glorious experience, as are our people," Jarrett said.

Music has been a part of Jarrett's life since he was a boy. Monday was a reminder to the choir president of music's power.

Seelig has been invited to take the baton at some point during Monday night's concert and lead the choir and orchestra as a guest conductor. With years of conducting experience, he will be very comfortable in front of the iconic choir. Still, he counts Monday as an unforgettable moment in his musical career.

"I had a blast; who gets to do that?" he said after conducting the choir during the afternoon rehearsal.

Seelig called the afternoon "a milestone for these two organizations that we did not think would be coming for maybe 10 or 20 years."

He called the Mormon Tabernacle Choir "the greatest choir in the world, hands down."

Meanwhile, the chorus he directs is the world's oldest gay men's chorus. "We are the granddaddy of the LGBT choral moment, what we do is build bridges."

Seelig acknowledged "obvious differences" between the two organizations, "but when we get to sing together it doesn't matter. We are blending our voices to make music as beautiful as we can."

He said he felt some pushback when people learned of the choir's invitation. "It doesn't heal everything, but it is a step on the part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to open the doors for this rehearsal to the Gay Men's Chorus."

Monday's sound check rehearsal was serious business as performers and directors worked together to find the perfect sound for Monday night's audience. But there were still moments of laughter as two groups brought together by music joined their voices as colleagues.

Chorus member Zach Herries was initially hesitant to perform alongside the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But he was happy to take a seat Monday rehearsing near the front row with the choir.

"I grew up Mormon, so this is part of who I am and I am grateful for this opportunity."

Photos, etc. here - https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900 ... l?user=app

[Robin Hood]

I'm lost for words.
What is happening to my church?

[Lizzy60]

I agree, RH. This performance was initiated by the MoTab Choir, and the article posted by Emmalee, which is TOTALLY positive about the event, is in the Deseret News.

The comments are telling. Right off the bat someone claims this whole thing is an example of following President Nelson's teachings.

I'm seriously wondering what Nelson and Oaks are thinking while reading this article. It boggles my mind.

[eddie]

What? I have a knot in my stomach...

[Chip]

It looks from the pictures like a gay time was had by all.

The S.F. chorus members seem to have a particularly infectious glee about them. I can't help but smile. Kind of like watching chickens.

[Robin Hood]

We are playing with fire.

[EmmaLee]

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[PressingForward]

The Church lost the PR war in California during Prop 8. It is now going to embrace the homosexual lifestyle and community. This is it folks, this is the beginning of the end of Church supporting what’s right, in order to “gain acceptance of man”. It’s appalling.

[Chip]

Maybe if you like your stuff you can keep your stuff... if you play nice with Big Gay. And Big Minority. All presented to you by the secret combo warned of in Ether 8 which looks like Big Jew, but isn't actually Jewish, but is the synogogue of Satan.

[illyume]

Oh man yes, us scary gays! One moment we're singing with your choirs, next thing you know we're going to be stealing everything you own!/s

[Chip]

Oh man yes, us scary gays! One moment we're singing with your choirs, next thing you know we're going to be stealing everything you own!/s

This is the maddening part. You'll only be used as an excuse for the expropriation, and you'll cheer it on, but you won't benefit from it. It's just like the situation in South Africa with the whites being chased off their farms with no real replacements stepping in.

[Elizabeth]

I do not use the g word for homosexuality, since its true meaning has been overshadowed by the usurpers usage, but it is quoted as follows.

Excerps from some of the more enlightened comments to the article:

"incrementalism". Satan can make anything appear "good" one small step at a time. Under the guise of "building bridges",

"Do we want to be part in the fall of some young child into sin? A youth who is confused and yet see's what appears to be our faith pandering to the title "gay?" Indeed we promote the lifestyle every time we use the word in article and in speech. To be delicate, It has become a descriptive word for a group who accepts particular acts in their relationship; do we want to wave that flag?"

"the members of this "gay" group wore their purple shirts in concert with their predominate logo to purposely stand out."

[David13]

Oh man yes, us scary gays! One moment we're singing with your choirs, next thing you know we're going to be stealing everything you own!/s

It isn't scary, it's sickening. Wallowing in sin. Pride in sin. A compound abomination.
dc

[David13]

I'm lost for words.
What is happening to my church?

Only one word came to my mind. Ugh!
dc

[Sunain]

I'm this close to writing a letter the the First Presidency about the PR issues they've had lately. But wait...

Members of the Church are discouraged from making telephone calls or writing letters to General Authorities about doctrinal issues or personal matters.
https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2 ... ng#21.1.24

Guess our objections don't want to be heard.

This gay men's chorus performance makes me sick that the choir was the ones that initiated it. I get all the 'be friends with everyone' but this performance means we are accepting and condoning their lifestyle and helping them celebrate it.

[illyume]

I'm this close to writing a letter the the First Presidency about the PR issues they've had lately. But wait...

Members of the Church are discouraged from making telephone calls or writing letters to General Authorities about doctrinal issues or personal matters.
https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2 ... ng#21.1.24

Guess our objections don't want to be hear.

Nope, send it up the proper lines of authority through your local leaders, or take it up in private prayer with the head Himself. That's how things are done in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

[gardener4life]

4 Nephi 1:

24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.

25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.

26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.

27 And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness.

40 And the more wicked part of the people did wax strong, and became exceedingly more numerous than were the people of God.

[Alaris]

[mgridle1]

Yeap, this is just the inevitable consequences of declaring that "identifying as a homosexual" is not sin.

Oh look here, now this crap is in "Preach My Gospel"
https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-go ... s?lang=eng

"Experiencing same-sex attraction or identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual is not a sin and does not prohibit one from participating in the Church, holding callings, or attending the temple."
Yet they still say:
Have you ever committed a homosexual transgression? [Note: A person who answers yes to either of these questions must be interviewed by the mission president before being baptized.]

Talk about confusing!! Seriously how many people "identify" as homosexual, yet don't do anything homosexual . . .what a piece of crap.

I keep saying and I'll say it again this will continue until it's either fully accepted or fully rejected, this "middle way" leads to nowhere. It WON'T satisfy the homosexuals and it just makes every other good Christian confused.

How long until we have a EQP who "identifies" as a homosexual? What about a Bishop who "identifies" as a homosexual? A Stake President? When do we have a GA who "identifies" as a homosexual?

Remember, kids "identifying" is not a sin (or so the Church claims-which is a load of crap). So if "identifying" is not a sin-it means one can be a homosexual Bishop, a homosexual SP, a homosexual Mission President, a homosexual GA . . .as long as we just add the caveat that they don't "practice it". Lol, what a load of crap.

This finally stops when the membership revolts and doesn't sustain the homosexual Bishop, homosexual YMP, or homosexual EQP . . .unless and until the membership revolts . . .bye, bye. Might as well join the Community of Christ . . . b/c that's the direction we are head.

It won't be long now . . .b/c it's in Preach My Gospel you are now training something like 40,000 youth a year that identifying is not a sin, what happens when they become the leaders of the Church?

B/c certainly when I was a missionary, EVERYONE knew someone who "identified" as a homosexual as living in sin . . .stick a fork in it. My bet, when Christ comes, he won't be too pleased with His Church . . .but that ain't my problem-feel sorry for the leaders who have let this in however, the blood of the Saints sins will be laid at their feet.

[Vision]

All the brethren have to do is to get the church out of the marriage business once and for all.

[mgridle1]

All the brethren have to do is to get the church out of the marriage business once and for all.

Nope, won't work, even if we don't do marriages and only do sealings-it won't work. The die is cast, there are too many homosexualist (homosexual allies) in the Church. One day it will either be fully accepted or fully rejected . . .the question now is which part (if any) splits from the Church when it is . . .

[mgridle1]

All the brethren have to do is to get the church out of the marriage business once and for all.

Well my guess is that if we truly knew, there are some homosexual GAs . . .