On Wednesday morning this past week, many in the choir arrived at the Tabernacle, got dressed in performance attire, and loaded onto some buses bound for the State Capital building. A short ten minutes later, we arrived and took our places inside the Rotunda, on the steps leading up to 3rd floor. Trying to find our assigned standing places was not very fun as there were many of us trying to navigate through each other in a very cramped area. But when all was said and done, we were in place and ready to warm up.
I surveyed the scene, seeing lots of last minute preparations going on, and felt very glad to be there. After all, I'm not part of a lot of political-related events. Being at one felt good, mainly because this was an opportunity to show my support and love for the State of Utah. Utah has its share of problems, to be sure, but it's been my home for most of my life and I'm grateful for government leaders who do all they can to make it a great place to live and to raise my family.
After warming up and taking a break to get some sitting in, we filed back into place and the inauguration began. In between the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Herbert and the other state leaders, the choir filled the hall with "Climb Every Mountain, "We, the Builders of the Nation," and ended the program with "Battle Hymn of the Republic." What perfect music for the occasion, and though my feet, legs and back hurt after awhile, my smile was genuine and my spirit was happy.
May the four years ahead, under Gov Herbert, be prosperous ones!
Shifting topics, the other thing I wanted to mention today was something that happens just once a year in the choir: new choir members start their journey! As we gathered for rehearsal Thursday night, I saw a group of them taking a Tabernacle tour. I had to smile and chuckle a little because they have little idea of what's ahead for them. All the work, and all of the wonderful results of that work. I smiled, too, because I always think back to when I started and things were so fresh, new, humbling, and exciting. I still feel the humbling and exciting emotions and I'm grateful for that. But that first year is just something special that can never be replicated.
So to all of the choir "freshman", we welcome you! And we're anxious to sing next to you and get to know you. Just seeing you and being around you helps the rest of us remember and be extra grateful for our opportunity.
Until next time, God be with you.
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