... when the Saints go marching in. Actually, I want to be in that number when the Saints get to sit in the choir seats at Stake Conference.
I love singing. I have been a somewhat decent singer at various stages of my life but, unfortunately, now isn't one of them. I'm 32 weeks pregnant (8 weeks to go!) and so have seriously diminished lung capacity plus I have recently recovered from one of the worst cases of bronchitis ever... and my vocal chords took a real beating. Add that to the fact that I'm just plain out of practice and my voice is nothing special at the moment.
However, I still love singing, and have wanted to join our totally fantastic Branch Choir for quite some time. It's a great group of men, women, and young people led by a talented professional and accompanied by one of those people who can play just about anything. As a bonus, the fantastic director's fantastic husband is also an amazing musician and arranger of music. My current family situation is not ideal for staying after church: three worn-out kids, one of whom desperately needs a nap, and a husband who stays after for meetings of his own. So when I hear the choir perform every month, I have to remind myself that now is not my time. Someday, maybe I can manage it, but not yet.
Then, two weeks ago, they announced that our choir is singing in Stake Conference and now is the time for anyone who might have been considering joining the choir to do so. Eureka! I saw this as my great opportunity to be a part of it- at least for a limited time. We have stayed after for practice twice now, and it isn't easy for the kids. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed it! The music is great and it's so fun to sing with such a full and dedicated group under the direction of someone who really knows what they're doing. It can be a powerful, uplifting experience to express your faith through music and singing.
The conference is in two weeks and we have one more practice to go. It occurred to me that members of the choir will probably be sitting in their soft choir seats for the whole meeting. (Many of you already see where I'm going with this.) Since moving to Vermont four years ago, Quinn has not been able to sit with us during Sacrament Meeting; he's been on the stand (or "stand" in our case) as part of the Branch Presidency in one capacity or another. This is one of those rare chances he has to sit in the audience... with the kids. I feel a tinge of regret that he will not be getting anything out of the general session of Stake Conference this time around, but I am looking forward to a real spiritual feast. Especially when it comes to the music.
6 comments:
What will the choir be singing?
Yes, well, you'd think I would know that, wouldn't you? Hmmm. I know there are three hymns and one special arrangement. Last week we practiced Be Still My Soul and the arrangement. It's a really beautiful piece with the words from Does the Journey Seem Long (#127 by Joseph Fielding Smith) sung to the music of Oh What Songs of the Heart (#286 by William Clayson). It's quite moving. If I can come up with the other two hymns- which we practiced two weeks ago, but I'm drawing a blank here- I'll let you know.
What fun to be you! We have had some great choir times. When Geary invited any and all members of the Fairfax Ward Choir to join us in singing at Pat Pixton's funeral, I know there were angels in the number. We even sang one summer with the Presbyterians when they were doing the Vivaldi Gloria. I have been reviewing the Hymns page by page lately and I would love to hear what you end up doing.
Aw Maren! You choked me up here- I'm so excited for you to sit through the whole meeting in your own comfy chair. Ma love ya!
Well, it was great to go to Stake Conference and sit way up on the stand (and not have to speak) and get to sing. We sang Be Still My Soul, Sweet Hour of Prayer and More Holiness Give Me as the prelude music and it was nice. Our musical number went very well, I thought, but seemed so short when we sat down! I did have to leave my seat and go sit with Laurel (whom I retrieved from another family's bench) and Sonja while Quinn had Torin out in the hall for the last 40 minutes or so, but it was still a nice break and a spiritual feast.
awesome, good for you!
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