We began practicing in late September and have met every Sunday evening since. It is an amazing choir. 364+ women sign up for the choir, though because we preform in the Tabernacle on Temple Square, we have to stick to that number of women.
Women travel from Logan and Ephraim to participate each week. Our incredible choir director, Merrilee Webb, travels from St. George herself each week to conduct the choir.
Merriliee is quite the wonderful woman! I love her attitude, her passion for music, her animated spunk and the penetrating spirit that emanates from her. She taught me so much. And most of it had nothing to do with music. I learned about the importance of listening to the Lord, trusting in Him, letting go of pettiness, realizing the role that others play in our lives....and so much more!
Some of my favorite things that she would say was, "to touch the soul of another is to stand on holy ground" and "don't be you, be what we need" (which was perfect for us as a choir).
She taught that sometimes the Lord is trying to tell us something, but we are too busy with texting or blogging (ha ha) that we don't hear what He has to tell us.
She also shared with us that when we give up who we are to be more like God, we are setting ourselves apart from others. However when we try so hard to "express ourselves" with trends or dressing in our "own unique styles" etc., that we are actually being like everyone else and lose our individuality. Its being like God that makes us individuals and sets us apart from others.
At the beginning of each rehearsal we'd sing this awesome Hawaii'an Chant called the Hiki Mai Chant. It was one of my favorite parts of the rehearsals.
Here it is:
HIKI MAI CHANT
HIKI MAI E NA PUA I KA LA’IE
KE PI’I A’E LA KA MAUNA KI’EKI’E
HA’A MAI NA KAMA ME KA MAKUA
HE WEHI PULAMA AO’ KE KUPUNA
E KA’I MAI ANA E KA’I MAI ANA
E HAHAI I KA LEO O KA HAKU E
Translation
Come forward and appear you precious flowers arising in the calmness of this special day.
Each of you are taking up the challenge of not simply climbing a high mountain, but you have chosen to climb the highest and most majestic mountain of all.
Dance forward you children of your Heavenly Father, for is it not so that you, our children, are so very precious.
In fact, you are the most precious adornment worn around the neck of your ancestors.
Come forward, come forward for there are many roads for you to choose.
Be sure to follow the voice of the good shepherd, for he will always keep you, protect you, and show you the way.
And for the concert we all made leis out of Fun Fur that represent a hug from our ancestors and our posterity. Mine was red (of course).
This last Saturday, November 28th, was our concert. We were the premiere concert for the Christmas Season on Temple Square. We preformed twice, which I am so glad we were able to, it was doubly and incredible experience.
My favorite songs were "Il est ne, la Divin Enfant" (surprisingly - I was sure I wouldn't like it), "Thankful" and "In The First Light" oh how they are powerful songs. I had a hard time not getting emotional during the last two - EVERY time.
This was such an awesome experience. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone interested.
Here is an after concert photo:
