This one’s
for music lovers. As Christmas music has
blessed my life this season, an early-morning pause before choir practice
brought to mind some great choirs I’ve enjoyed in the past, and a heavenly
choir I’ve read about, which blessed the scene of our Savior’s birth. On the first day of this special week, I
decided to share a few, including some results of a survey I took among several
friends at church.
My
question: What are two favorite choirs you sang in or listened to at Christmas
time?
I first
tested this on my wife Kay, the Primary song leader, as I interrupted her
preparation of children’s songs. Without
hesitation, she agreed with my suggestion: East High School A Cappella Choir,
which reminded me of Christmas performances I loved with my EHS choir directed
by the legendary Lorraine Bowman. With
further thought, Kay would have mentioned the local high school choir our
daughters sang in; recently we enjoyed their concert (with orchestra) which
ended with a thrilling rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah (1742) by Handel (1685-1759). The annual concert always brings joy to us ... and to the performers, I am certain.
One young
brother at choir practice named the Weber State University LDS Institute Choir
he was in years ago, which reminded me of my U of U Institute choir. (We toured the Northwest while I was dating
my future wife, Kay.) Having recently
returned from military duty in the Middle East, he recalled his men’s choir at
church in Afghanistan, which also performed at a Christmas party. A very young brother who leads the choir in
our ward (congregation), named the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as his favorite
(also one of mine, since Mother was a member of it when I was little.) He also wrote for me (as the bishop was
starting the meeting): “singing in ward choirs.” Sweet!
The jacket of an LP (with a 50-cent DI price tag) found
in our basement “archive” lists the members of the Brigham Young University A
Cappella Choir 1980, including Brenda Boyer, Cherie Crosby (any relation to
Kay’s Crosbys?) and Loralyn Tenney (must be related to my great grandmother
Eliza.) And in the men’s section: Dale
Bowman (related to Lorraine?) and Clark Searle (reminds me of my sister’s jazz
piano teacher.) Among other sacred
songs, they recorded “Come, O Thou King of Kings” (appropriate at Christmas
time) with trumpets and organ. I’d like
to listen to the album this week for the first time!
One album I am sure must exist (not searched yet) is one to go along with Kay’s CD, "Angel Voices -- Libera in
Concert" recorded May 30 & 31, 2007 in a Netherlands cathedral;
(pronounced with accent like liberate.) I
haven't heard their Christmas music, but it’s on my wish list. The boys’ choir provides a heavenly listening
experience that would lift anyone’s spirit this season.
There’s more I could add here, but this will do for
a fast one. Suffice it to say, “I’m
crazy about choirs!” So … Merry
Christmas, and have a happy choir experience!