Soundsmith is (finally) widening its social net: follow the blog on Facebook or become a fan of Soundsmith Music. You can also follow our Tweets or continue the old fashioned subscription.
Thanks to everyone for being so supportive. I really appreciate your comments, feedback and encouragement. I’m very grateful to be a small part of connecting, encouraging and inspiring through music. I look forward to continuing the conversation via our new links!
Our family recently decided to move (thus my temporary hiatus from the site!) and we ended up, surprisingly, in Cache Valley, Utah. This isn’t where we intended to move when we started looking, but through powerful personal experiences with the spirit and answers to prayers, we know it’s where we are supposed to be – and it’s beautiful.
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.
I’ve been asked to arrange two hymns for our upcoming Stake Conference. Since I get to choose, I thought I’d ask for subscribers to nominate and vote for their favorites. The only requirement is that they must be from HYMNS (the LDS Hymnal, 1985). If there are any requests…
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert this year was excellent. Guest vocalist Brian Stokes Mitchell and actor Edward Herrmann brought a meaningful, and genuine, sincerity and spirit to the concert. I’ve attended each concert since Mack became a choral director (1998) and this ranks as my 2nd favorite (I think it will be nearly impossible to fill the pure and clear soprano shoes of Sissel).
“Why are you giving your music away?”
A fair question with a reasonably easy answer: to help proclaim truth and spread beauty. Altruistic? I suppose it is a bit; but I hope it doesn’t sound proud or patronizing.
