I feel beautiful when I conduct because I am part of the music. thinking, singing, moving, feeling, and being touched by the music. and this week, I had the honor to do this for a whole evening. and in one of the most beautiful cathedrals on this side of the atlantic.
Our program had a restoration theme, titled 'Come, Come Ye Saints' with speakers between each set, & organ, violin and flute when appropriate.
Redeemer of Israel, The Morning Breaks, Joseph Smith's First Prayer, Praise to the Lord, Sine Nomine / For All the Saints, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, Praise to the Man (with congregation), and Come, Come Ye Saints (leroy Robertson).
It has to be slightly overwhelming: choosing music, photocopying music, practicing music, memorizing music, conducting music, getting binders, doing warm-ups, booking the place, the time, the piano, the mic, flyers and posters, electronic ads, getting pianists & organists, choosing speakers in between sets, choosing uniforms, standing order, refreshments... but it is worth that and much more. and I have been helped so much by Brooke, Liz, Lynne, and Mal.
Even though I know all of this music so well, I can still notice new shapes and meaning while performing. The Spirit of my Lord can enter into my heart as well and testify to me of the goodness of Jesus Christ my Savior, the Restoration of His church on Earth, and of his comfort in times of troubles.
1 comment:
Your opening statement about you becoming a part of the music when you conduct is so true. I still can't sing "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" without seeing you up there conducting us in the Provo Tabernacle. You were as much a part of the music as anything written on the page.
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