Stage Talk with Rick Koster
Where every show has something to say.
The harmonious sound of Hope
The poet Emily Dickinsong famously wrote that hope is “the thing with feathers.”
In her delicate words and metaphors, Dickinson suggested something beautiful but fragile and occasionally elusive — but assuredly divine in nature.
It begs the question: What does “hope” sound like?
Music, after all, is a powerful and universal medium, and in their celestial harmonies, arrangements and core mission, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square — formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir — one of the elite vocal ensembles in the world, is presenting Songs of Hope Benefit Concert in the iconic Hollywood Bowl on Friday, June 26. Guest artists include Donny Osmond, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Stephanie J.Block, the Bonner Family and Sebastian Arcelus.
In order to share this performance as widely as possible, the Choir is live-screening the event across the country and New London’s Garde Arts Center, featuring an all-world sound and visual system. is one of the venues participating.
It’s free and open to the public, with donations appreciated and matched 100% — all benefitting trusted charities caring for women and children worldwide.
It’s also intriguing to note a modest connection. The Choir made their Hollywood Bowl debut 100 years ago and the Garde is about to celebrate its own Centennial. A nice coincidence!
Recently, we spoke to three of the local Church of Latter Day Saints individuals responsible for organizing the Hope concert screening at the Garde: Daniel McDavitt (director, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus, director, Cadet Music Department, United States Coast Guard Academy); Evan Hagland (associate professor of government, United States Coast Guard Academy); and Candice Rountree (PA-C with Hartford HealthCare’s Neighborhood Health).
On the present need for hope and why this concert sublimely addresses this.
Danny McDavitt: The concept of hope is such a universal need for everyone. And the goal of this concert is absolutely to provide music for everyone. And if you’ve heard the choir and look at that list of stars participating, this is a show that will raise the roof. (Laughs) Well, the Hollywood Bowl doesn’t have a roof, but they’ll raise the proscenium.
More to the point, what more need is there right now than for hope? The Hollywood Bowl is the ideal venue for a concert celebrating that — and, in turn, the Garde is ideal to share that. Obviously, the choir could release the show on YouTube and you could watch it in your living room in your pajamas, but how often in these times do we get to come together in hope and music?
On why the Garde was an appealing venue.
Evan Hagland: When I joined the Coast Guard Academy faculty, the first public event we attended was a screening at the Garde of The Perfect Storm. (Laughs) Coast Guard, right? And it was an amazing venue to experience that.
Over time, we as a family have been here many times, for graduations, concerts and other gatherings. Our kids went to school at ISAAC right around the corner, so I’m always looking at the marquee to see what’s happening because it’s such an impressive place where the entire community comes together.
And we very much wanted this to be a community event, not just for members of our faith. Something that the town and the entire region is invited to. And so, obviously, doing it here, as opposed to maybe in our church building, lends itself to that.
For those who’ve never seen or heard the Tabernacle Choir, a quick description of the experience.
Danny: You know, there are certain musical organizations that do special things in a special way that nobody else can do. I’ve heard the Tabernacle Choir sing Palestrina. I’ve heard them sing The Mansions of the Lord. Amazing, powerful works. And I could go on and on about the ensemble’s special qualities. It’s best to say that, if you come to the event, you’re going to experience something unique and transcendent. And the programming for this concert is so thoughtful. There are secular pieces as well as hymns and plenty of recognizable and popular music.
On how the Tabernacle Choir and an opportunity to see this concert in the Garde might resonate in this age of the 30-second soundbite or Instagram post.
Candice: I feel like this is an invitation to see and hear something that’s higher and better for ourselves. You’re right: the world does run on, you know, 30-second bits and scrolls and maybe there’s the idea that ensembles like the Tabernacle choir are, you know, overlooked. But I suspect people probably know the Tabernacle choir more than they think they do.
And it goes back to music bringing hope in a community sense. So we’re getting a chance with this to combine those elements. Ultimately, it’s just an invitation to take a break from the grind and the soundbites and tension and let our minds and hearts fall into the music and feel spiritually uplifted.
Evan: To briefly add to what Candice just said, the world’s a tumultuous place and we’re all very distracted. Life bombards us with opportunities and challenges — good and bad.
So this concert is a great moment to sit down and step away. That’s one of the great things about the Garde. You come into this wonderful theater and it’s like you are in another world for at least a couple of hours. What a great chance to sort of spiritually recharge, feeling God’s love for you, and for everyone. And I think that’s what the music does.