MTC #221 - The Payoff

There are payoffs for everything.
The payoff for completing a project at work is receiving a "job well done!" (and maybe monetary compensation if you work for a really great company).
The payoff for being a parent is seeing one of your kids succeed at something and remember what you taught them.
The payoff for diligent exercise is more energy and a healthier body.
The list goes on.

The payoff for hours and hours of extra choir rehearsals is performing in a concert. And this time, specifically, The Messiah concert. 

The choir and orchestra, along with four soloists, performed The Messiah this past week and though I wasn't able to enjoy the payoff myself, everyone that I talked to (performers and audience members) said it was a remarkable experience. Congregations all over the world were invited to not only watch the concert via live stream, but to sing along as well. To that end, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided a downloadable PDF of the score along with instructions for how best to learn the chorus parts. At the time of this writing, the Concert has been viewed over 52K times and the accompanying chat shows people sharing their comments and appreciation from Australia, Chile, Peru, Mexico and various other countries. I think it was a success!

Tyler Nelson, on today's MSW broadcast

The tenor soloist who sang at the concerts, Tyler Nelson, joined the choir and orchestra on the Music & the Spoken Word broadcast today. What an amazing voice! As I wasn't able to participate in the concerts, it really meant a lot to me that I could see him perform today, and could participate in singing "Worthy is the Lamb Who Was Slain"--the powerful grand finale of The Messiah, which was the closing song on the broadcast. I'm thankful for such wonderful music that testifies of Jesus Christ, and particularly thankful for it during this time of the  year that we get to celebrate Easter.

Until next time, God be with you.