It was truly a joy to participate in this February’s Stake Conference; the choir performed superbly, the speakers delivered powerful messages, and the Spirit enlightened our minds and inspired our souls. For my part, I was pleased with the arrangements overall; though I always find room for revision, these pieces seem solid; Come, Follow Me felt especially right. Interestingly, we were not able to perform the piano-violin version I had originally arranged. Our violinist was not able to make the meeting and we needed some last minute adjustments; we decided to re-arrange for choir and organ (three-hands) and it worked well. I’ve had many opportunities to work with choirs and this piece represents one of my favorite moments as an arranger and conductor.
Like so many other disciplines (speaking, writing, teaching) playing or arranging music requires more or less constant hard-work and practice. Every once in a while amongst all the routine labor and sometimes difficult mechanics of arranging, it all just fits. These are the moments when hard-work, consistent effort, and the grace and guidance of the Spirit unite for just a moment, allowing us to feel (and remember) celestial light. One of the speakers at our conference noted that each of us are given divine attributes to help us along our journey in mortality. When we use those talents in reverence and humility, doing our best to build up the kingdom of God and just become an instrument – a part of the whole work – that’s when we can feel at one with the Lord. This year, this conference, was such a moment for me; a moment of majesty in service and spirit. How grateful I am for a loving Father that endows us with talents and encourages us to use them for our good and his glory.
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