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Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

Last weekend we took the kids to Burley to watch a production of BYU’s Young Ambassadors. I don’t know if all of my readers know who or what the Young Ambassadors are. They are a group organized at Brigham Young University (BYU). They are a group of college students that learn to sing and dance. They include a life band as well. Most, if not all, are members of the LDS Church. Many people try out for this group but only a few make the dance team. Every year they travel around the world to perform. Because they are from BYU and from the Mormon Church, they are called Young Ambassadors. They truly are top notch performers and all around good people.

When driving to Burley, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and my kids definitely had low expectations. I was a little hesitant because it was $10.00 per seat. Yikes! A family of 6, which we are, had to spend $60.00 to get into the theater. Ouch! I wish they had some sort of family discount or something.

As the music started I could tell that our kids were thinking it was going to be two long hours of boring dancing. After the first routine filled with dancers and awesome singers, all of the kids were on the front of their seats with big grins. I could see that they were going to enjoy the show. Each act was exciting and fun to watch. All of the performers looked like they were having a blast and the music was of the highest quality.

By intermission, I was getting a tug at my arm with the request to buy the CD’s they were offering in the foyer. Of course, another 15 to 20 bucks for the CD. So we passed since the tickets were so expensive.

I am so glad that we went. We always want to encourage our kids to be involved in music and dance. The show just gave them a glimpse of what they could do if they followed through with some of their training. I think our kids renewed their commitment to piano, clogging, singing, and dance. I hope they see the potential and look at these great role models up on stage and say, “I want to be just like that guy or girl”.

After the show, one of the performers walked down the isle and stopped at our row. He shook each of our kids hands and asked their names. He genuinely showed interest in our kids and remembered their names as they left. I think that was a special moment in each of their lives. It sure impressed me.

The other great thing about this visit to Burley was that we saw a number of other LDS Families that were there with their kids. I really felt like we were in good company with the families that we saw in attendance. They are all striving to do the same as we were, encourage our kids to be involved in singing and dance. I felt like we were at the right place, at the right time.

Our Ward had a Primary Program today for our Sacrament Meeting. All of the little kids from ages 5 to 11 went up in front of the whole congregation and presented a little program. The Theme for the whole program was “My Eternal Family”.

The little kids are so cute when they walk up to the “big” microphone and say their little memorized sentence or two. They also sing several songs that tie all of the little talks together nicely. My two daughters did a really good job. They had their parts memorized and were able to talk loudly and distinctly into the microphone. I was very proud of their participation in the program.

There were a couple of songs that they sang, that I had never heard before. I tried to find them in the Primary Song Book but they weren’t there. I asked my wife and found them in the list of music found in “The Friend” magazine.  The two songs that I didn’t recognize were, “The Family is of God” and “My Eternal Family”.

The whole program reminded me of a number of things that our family still needs to focus on.  It is hard not to smile while watching these little children speak and sing.

Yesterday Tom played this beautiful rendition of an LDS primary song titled “Baptism” in Sacrament meeting at church. He was super nervous but did a fantastic job. It’s one of those days when you as a parent are glad you pushed and perservered through the hard and discouraging times to get to the reward!!!!

Thanks to my great parents and also their parents who knew the influence of good music and encouraged it in their homes. And I have in turn encouraged it in my home. It is a delight to have my piano constantly in use. (Since I’ve been sitting here, Will has played a Christmas song, the Entertainer, Fall For You and is now playing the Mario Brothers theme song). Sometimes it gets pretty loud and even obnoxious, but I try to never tell the kids they can’t play the piano. I have asked them to choose different songs sometimes. Piano music has become a constant sound at our house. I hope the kids enjoy it as much as I do.