Greetings from Shaumburg, Illinois! Having now survived a breakdown of my new laptop, a collapse of my new cell phone, and a major social-media-withdrawal-induced-panic attack of my mind, I am now eagerly climbing back into the blogosphere saddle to finally give you my Tour Updates! Here is the first of many to come: Continue reading »
Greetings from the road! I am currently on tour with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Today is Day 3 of TOUR (well, technically it is now Day 4 since it’s long after midnight…) and I am in the beautiful city of Indianapolis, Indiana – USA. Unfortunately, my laptop connectivity has been on the blitz since tour … Continue reading »
Yesterday I shared Part 1 of my audition story with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I made it! What happens now? Continue reading »
Between July 1st – November 2007 I went through the intense audition process with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Yes, it really takes about 4 months from the time you put in your application to the day you get your “yea or nay” letter. This is my story. Continue reading »
Enjoy an exclusive interview with The Lower Lights band member Paul Jacobsen – including photos and video! Continue reading »
Two Mormon missionaries recently became ‘recording artists’ to share their love of God and music. Continue reading »
The beloved hymn “God Be With You till we Meet Again” was penned in 1880 by Jeremiah E. Rankin, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C.. It was set to music in 1882 by composer William G. Tomer, pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.. Mr. Rankin explained; “Written…as a Christian good-bye, … Continue reading »
The beautiful message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that our Father in Heaven loves each of us, personally. Continue reading »
Each hymn has a special story, although they are often unknown and untold. One of the lesser-known is Hymn #75, In Hymns of Praise Our Voices Raise with text by Ada Blenkhorn and music by Alfred Beirly. Continue reading »
Normally, you would have to wait until next year for the release of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s most recent Christmas Concert. But, the MormonTabChoir YouTube channel posted a “sneak peek”, sharing this showstopping rendition of Jingle Bells arranged by director Mack Wilberg. Enjoy!
“Adeste Fideles”, commonly known in English as “O Come All Ye Faithful” is a very popular hymn sung at Christmas time. Continue reading »
A special new video from The Piano Guys was released today featuring their arrangement of the Christmas hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. Continue reading »
The Christian hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing was written by the devout 18th century pastor and poet Robert Robinson. The text of this hymn was written in 1757 at the young age of 22. It has stood the test of time, and remains as inspiring and poignant today as it did three Centuries ago. Continue reading »
An inspiring life story, and an inspiring new song. Continue reading »
This morning, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir officially announced the launch of their brand new YouTube Channel: “MormonTabChoir”. The announcement was introduced, appropriately, by church President Thomas S. Monson, who is the priesthood adviser to the Choir… Continue reading »
If any of you are regular (or irregular?!) readers of my blog, then you may (or may not) have noticed I haven’t been “keeping up” lately. I have taken a bit of a hiatus.
A lot of bright and beautiful things have happened during the past two weeks! Continue reading »
Roasting Pachelbel with panache! Continue reading »
The wonderfully talented Alex Boyé and former American Idol Carmen Rasmusen have teamed up to create a fun new take on a favorite Mormon hymn Continue reading »
…and sing, and sing….you get the idea!! I have been doing a LOT of singing lately! And, I’m going to be doing a lot more. This little primary children’s song has been running over and over in my head non-stop the past few days. I thought I’d “share the love” and put together a little … Continue reading »
An epic new video you don’t want to miss! Continue reading »
A new documentary entitled “Alive Inside: The Story of Music and Memory” is generating a lot of excitement. The film follows a social-worker named Dan Cohen as he experiments with bringing iPods to a nursing home with patients suffering from severe memory loss (including Alzheimer disease) . . . The stunning results are nothing short of miraculous! Continue reading »
Watching this new video is guaranteed to fill up your happiness bucket today! Continue reading »
I am so excited to share with you the video release of a brand new Easter Song entitled “The Miracle” by my friend Shawna Edwards, a gifted Mormon musician and composer. Readers may remember Shawna’s stunning Christmas Song “Do You Have Room?” (if not, be sure to watch that video, too!) Today, Shawna has added another musical masterpiece that bears testimony of Jesus Christ’s love for each and every one of us. . . Continue reading »
In 11 days The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold it’s 182nd Semi-Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. . . This is my first in a series of posts to help us prepare for another marvelous General Conference. The feelings of love and joy for the blessing and opportunity we have to listen to a living prophet of God is captured well in the words of one of our hymns, “We Listen To A Prophet’s Voice”. Continue reading »
“Have you had your music today?” That is what Tamara Oswald, (harp) and Jeannine Goeckeritz, (flute) ask their viewers in their new series of videos released recently on YouTube. In this video, they perform the beloved classic Londonderry Air – “Danny Boy”, arranged by Sam Cardon, from their new CD ~ Chanson ~ Music of Light, Peace and Relaxation Filmed above the city in a peaceful rooftop garden on the LDS Conference Center, this piece was a beloved favorite of the late President Gordon B. Hinckley who’s vision and example inspired generations . . . Continue reading »
The latest release by the irresistible Piano Guys, entitled “Peponi”, has become yet another YouTube sensation for the classical duo. But, this one is an extra special treat. Pianist Jon Schmidt and Cellist Steven Sharp Nelson partnered with vocal powerhouse, (and my personal friend), Alex Boyé to create an African “spiritualization” of Coldplay’s hit song “Paradise”. Alex Boyé is a British-born Mormon convert of Nigerian descent who currently lives in Utah, USA. Alex is a husband, a father, and a professional singer and actor. He gives his whole heart and soul into each performance, and allows his music to stand as a testament of his life and faith… Continue reading »
Jake Justice and Amy Whitcomb may be young, but they are already making a name for themselves in the competitive music industry. The two talented Mormon artists recently collaborated on a new recording of “Silent Night” which I am pleased to share with you today. Continue reading »
Confession time. There are a few Christmas songs I don’t particularly care for. Take Carol of The Bells, for instance, which usually scrapes along the edge of my nerves like a dull razor. The song is merciless for any singer with articulation problems, or any listener who prefers their music to stay on pitch. And, don’t even get … Continue reading »
