We Sang for the Prophet!

Last night April and I sang in Joseph Smith the Prophet with Rob Gardner, composer and conductor. Yesterday at 4 pm was the first time that we rehearsed with the orchestra and all the soloists. Jordan Bluth (who is my new favorite tenor) was one of them. All were wonderful! As we rehearsed, it was tricky to keep time with Rob and the orchestra because the sound reverberation in the tabernacle makes a delay. So if we kept time with Rob's conducting as he instructed, it felt as if we were always coming in early. But we got use to it and it came together in the performances.
Before we started, we were told at the end we would have to wait for the "special guests" to leave first, then we could. I thought that we might have an apostle come. Then we saw President Uchtdorf and his wife come in. Then people started standing and I saw President Monson and his wife coming in. One man started singing We Thank Thee Oh, God for a Prophet, and everyone joined in. My heart was full as I looked at the prophet and his smiling face. As I practiced the music at home and during the two rehearsals, it never occurred to me that we would be performing for him. I had a prayer in my heart that the music would be all that it could be, and it was! When we finished Rob was beaming and mouthed, "Perfect! Perfect!" From him that is high praise, indeed.
President Monson and the audience gave us a standing ovation. As he and President Uchtdorf left, they waved and blew us kisses the whole way out. President Uchtdorf pointed at April and smiled, waving right at her. She was the youngest member of the choir. She thought her braces may have given her away.
The music filled the hall and our hearts, as we bore testimony of the Savior and the prophet, Joseph Smith. We are singing again tonight. I hope it goes as well. It was most likely a once in a life time opportunity, that I hope to have again if we get to do He is Jesus Christ with Rob.