Music touches me in so many ways. I can hear or sing a hymn and be unexpectedly moved to tears. It can bring forth cherished memories, invite the Holy Ghost, and bring peace. It often stays with me through the day and gladdens my heart. A beautiful melody can pick me up when I am down, or help me escape to a happier place.
I have memories of learning music as a child, and in high school band. The thrill of participating in making music is indescribable. I have sung in choirs, singing praises and prayers to my Heavenly Father. Being a part of it fills my soul on a level that is deeper than many others. I feel connected. Connected with those around me, but mostly connected to spiritual things, to the Spirit of God.
I have had answers to my prayers come through music and lyrics. I've had dreams where new melodies were sung and awakened with them briefly in my head. How I wish they would linger long enough for me to capture them.
I have also awakened to my daughters' singing. The joy that their sweet voices brings into my heart makes the rest of the day richer. I'm so thankful for good music in my life.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Small Witnesses of the Spirit
Today Tessa sang a duet with her cousin, Shelly in Shelly's ward. My sister was asked to sing and she volunteered them. It was absolutely beautiful!! They sang "The Olive Tree" by Kurt Bester. I wish I could have recorded it and put it on here! I love to sing, but having my children share their talents and witnessing it is even more rewarding than doing it myself.
I have few talents which I can consecrate, but singing is one that I have only done a couple of times outside of church in a public setting. I have to say that it had a completely different feeling for me. I sang a duet once at a civic meeting and it seemed so pointless somehow. I do love singing in church, either in a choir or small group. I love how often the music fits perfectly with the theme of the meeting even when the people arranging the music had no idea ahead of time. I had that happen on several occasions when I was the Sacrament Meeting chorister. I would pick the music a couple of months ahead and then the talks would be on that very subject.
One Fast and Testimony Meeting, I happened to choose (a month before) "Called to Serve" for the closing hymn. We ended up having a missionary from our ward come home for a couple of weeks to have knee surgery. He bore such a strong testimony in that meeting about miracles in his behalf. The doctors sent him home thinking that he would have to have a second invasive surgery and when they got into his knee, it was completely healed! They just had to take the pin out that they had placed in his knee the year before. He was able to go back out on his mission after only a very short delay. Then to close the meeting, our ward sang, "Called to Serve." I don't know if anyone else knew, besides me and my organist, how things fell into place that day, but it was a testimony to me that God has His Hand in even the smallest things in His church.
I have few talents which I can consecrate, but singing is one that I have only done a couple of times outside of church in a public setting. I have to say that it had a completely different feeling for me. I sang a duet once at a civic meeting and it seemed so pointless somehow. I do love singing in church, either in a choir or small group. I love how often the music fits perfectly with the theme of the meeting even when the people arranging the music had no idea ahead of time. I had that happen on several occasions when I was the Sacrament Meeting chorister. I would pick the music a couple of months ahead and then the talks would be on that very subject.
One Fast and Testimony Meeting, I happened to choose (a month before) "Called to Serve" for the closing hymn. We ended up having a missionary from our ward come home for a couple of weeks to have knee surgery. He bore such a strong testimony in that meeting about miracles in his behalf. The doctors sent him home thinking that he would have to have a second invasive surgery and when they got into his knee, it was completely healed! They just had to take the pin out that they had placed in his knee the year before. He was able to go back out on his mission after only a very short delay. Then to close the meeting, our ward sang, "Called to Serve." I don't know if anyone else knew, besides me and my organist, how things fell into place that day, but it was a testimony to me that God has His Hand in even the smallest things in His church.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
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.
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.
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