hallelujah

tonight i did a truly wondrous thing. i was able to participate in the chorus in our community performance of handel's messiah. i am not a singer, not by any stretch. in fact, when i took chorus in high school, (be warned that this is a pathetic and painfully true story) in an attempt to become a better singer, the teacher assigned a friend to sing into my ear, and then eventually gave up and assigned me to be the pianist. most of my attempts to sing, even in a chorus, have been simply an exercise in frustration. but my parents have been participating in the annual presentation of the messiah at christmastime for about 30 years, and it has become part of me. i thrill at the complexity of the music and the beauty and deep meaning of the scriptural passages. brock and i own several recordings of the messiah and it is beautiful, precious, and sacred to me. to my delight, the music flowed joyfully through me tonight and it didn't feel strained at all, but easy and graceful. i absolutely love this miraculous music, written in a mere 24 days, and felt tearful as i thought about the meaning of the scriptural passages that i was singing. although our community is small, they manage to pull together a sizable chorus and orchestra each year, with the support of other nearby communities. i can accompany a choir singing on the piano without a great deal of effort (thanks to my high school music teacher, and numerous church callings), but although i have tried to learn the messiah accompaniment, i have been unsuccessful, and stand in awe of those who can play it. i love my saviour, and am grateful for beautiful music that praises him, and my opportunity to participate in it. it was made more meaningful by lexi and tashi singing too. brock wanted to participate, but someone had to watch the three little ones, and he volunteered. next year, his turn to sing.

Comments

[Em]

I am proud of you and the girls for participating. I wish we were all closer so we could've gone to see it and be back in time for bed. That is a lofty goal to learn to play the Messiah. I have never tried, but I know that a lot of accompaning assignments have been very overwhelming for me. But because I HAVE to play them, I practice a lot more and ask for God's help and it works out. I bet you could do it. I will contact the choir director of Fillmore and let them know you will be ready by next year! hee hee

It was great to see you and your family at the party on Saturday. I was feeling like a bump on a log so it was nice that we didn't really do anything but eat and visit. Loved your desserts!!