Tunnel Singing and Sight-Reading

I like tunnel singing. For those who have not heard of this or don't know yet what it is, "tunnel singing" is an activity that happens in the Provo area, under a bridge next to the Mariott Center. A large group of young people (predominantly or solely of the LDS faith and students at BYU) gather together to sing hymns out of the LDS hymnbook (LDS hymns online). The hour-long session starts out with some favorite hymns, we take a break to recognize guys and gals who have gotten mission calls that past week, and then finish off with the more somber or reverent hymns.

My ex-girlfriend, Jasmine, introduced me to this activity. I went first with her and my sister, Amy. As I said at the very first, I like tunnel singing. I don't love it. I really like hearing a song sung with many strong and nice voices, sung with vigor, sung by a bunch of young people like me. I like getting together with friends and sharing enthusiasm of favorite songs (or confusion with the rarely-sung hymns). I like the atmosphere, for the most part. I don't care for the moments when people will shout out and talk, or the moments when someone will go overboard and mess around with a hymn. One tradition that I don't care for is the enthusiastic yell of "Let's baptize!" in the middle of "Called to Serve". Yeah, it isn't a terrible thing, but it distracts me a tad.

Tonight was relatively reverent. There were very quiet moments that I liked a lot, and I realized that I am the only who can invest myself in the hymns, who can seek to feel the Spirit. I have allowed myself to be acted upon, not to act, which is what God intends us to do.

• And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:14‎)‎ (emphasis added)

Anyway, tunnel singing is a very good thing. Next time, I will invest myself even more and connect to the hymns. It's an opportunity to get great practice on the parts, too.

Oh! I just remembered that this post had a second piece to the title. This year I will learn to sight-read. I mean, it will not take me the whole year to get the basics down, but that is a New Year's Resolution. See, when I learn to sight-read, I can sing the hymns and play them to myself when I like. Besides that will come the excellent ability to play hymns in church as needed and play hymns on my mission, when I serve. Reminder to self: start tomorrow. Do not put this off. Start practicing tomorrow. I made the resolution a few days ago... and I have put it off. Not the best way to start.

If you want to try tunnel singing and you will be around the Provo area on a Sunday, I would love to help you find the place. It happens at 10:00 most every Sunday night. Perhaps it does not happen on nights with extreme weather, but I have no idea. They (or I should say "we") all meet just South of the Marriott Center. If you go there and get out of the car, you'll probably hear us.