MTC Week #100 - One Hundred Weeks!

Today's Music & the Spoken Word program officially kicked off the Christmas season with several Christmas songs that I really enjoyed singing. However, it was a rather rough morning preparing for the program. Perhaps it was coming off of a holiday break. But whatever it was, we had our intonation issues--particularly the poor tenors and sopranos who got hammered over and over and over again for not singing high enough. Fortunately, all of the loving criticism given to us by our directors during rehearsal, paid off, and the program itself went very well. My two favorite pieces were "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" and "Noe! Noe!". The former we sang acapella (which doesn't happen too often in the choir) and it really sounded beautiful--capturing the awe, wonder, and peace that the season brings through our Savior Jesus Christ. The latter was just a fun, lively Christmas piece that captured the energy and excitement that the season brings. I particularly loved the organ accompaniment for that song.   

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As this marks one hundred weeks in the Choir for me, I wanted to list 100 things I love about this choir experience. But while I could probably do that, it would make for a very long blog entry. So, I'm going to shave a zero off of the 100, and include 10 things I love about my choir experience. And you can just multiple each of those by 10, and have it all equal 100 in the end. Sound OK?

10. I love singing with talented musicians who, for the most part, do an exceptional job singing the correct notes, rhythms, and pitch. (We all make mistakes and have our moments)

9. I love being directed by Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy. They are extremely talented, they love what they do, and they have taught me so many things.

8. I love looking out at the audience each week, and at concerts, to see how individuals are affected by the music they are hearing and experiencing. 

7. I love singing at General Conference. Being there, in the same room as the prophet and the general authorities, while being able to add to the spirit of the conference through song, it a great blessing. 

6. I love that my official Church calling is "musical missionary".

5. I love singing the songs that we sing. Occasionally there may be one or two I don't care for too much. But those are the exception. The notes, the melodies, the harmonies of these great songs fill me with peace and happiness.

4. I love how being a part of the Choir has affected my family. Music was already a big part of our home, but now the sounds of the Choir, the talk of Choir happenings, and the way the Choir helps others feel peace and happiness have become a standard among our way of life.   

3. I love the opportunity of seeing how it all works behind the scenes. There are SO MANY people involved in this organization who are never recognized or shown on TV. But it's because of them that things fall into place and the Choir is able to accomplish its mission.


2. I love the dear friends I've made in the Choir. They are exceptional individuals who I not only get to enjoy singing with, but get to enjoy other friendship aspects both inside and outside the Choir.


1. I love being able to share my testimony, through music, with so many people. As my personal testimony of the Savior has been shaped and molded by music throughout my entire life, it's humbling and exciting to share that testimony through song, with so many people who listen.        

Until next time, God be with you.