MORMON SOPRANO

On Christmas Eve 1906, a 33-year-old university professor, and former chief chemist for Thomas Edison, named Reginald Fessenden did something long thought impossible. Using a new type of generator, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and, for the first time in history, a man’s voice was broadcast clearly over the airwaves:

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed…,”

Reginald Fessenden

He began in a clear, strong voice, hoping he was reaching across the distances he supposed he would. Shocked radio operators on ships and astonished wireless owners at newspapers sat slack-jawed as their normal, coded impulses, heard over tiny speakers, were interrupted by a professor reading from the gospel of Luke.

To the few who caught this broadcast, it must have seemed like a miracle. Some might have even believed they were hearing the voice of an angel. After finishing his recitation of the birth of Christ, a second miracle took place. Fessenden picked up his violin and played “O Holy Night,” the first song to ever be sent through the air via radio waves. Music had found a new medium, and the world would never be the same again.

Placide Cappeau

The Christmas song “Cantique de Noël“ has a fascinating history. A parish priest in Roquemaure, France commissioned the poem from Placide Cappeau. Mr. Cappeau enlisted the musical talent of his friend, the opera composer Adolphe-Charles Adam. The song was first performed for Christmas Mass, 1847 in Roquemaure. It took the American continent by storm during the Civil War, becoming an anthem of sorts for the abolishonist movement, due to the English translation of the final verse: 

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.

Adolphe-Charles Adam

Over the centuries, this Christmas song has been sung millions of times, in hundreds of languages. The carol has also gone on to become one of the entertainment industry’s most recorded and played spiritual songs.

Requested by a forgotten parish priest, written by a poet who would later split from the church, given soaring music by a Jewish composer, and brought to Americans to serve as much as a tool to spotlight the sinful nature of slavery as to tell the story of the birth of a Savior –”O Holy Night” has become, in my humble opinion, one of the most beautiful, inspired pieces of music ever created.

~~~~~~~~~

video courtesy the MoTabChoir01 Channel

On the 25th Day of December…MoSop wishes you a Merry Christmas! as we pause to celebrate, rejoice, and remember.

The night of Jesus’ birth, shepherds near Bethlehem were tending their sheep. Suddenly the skies became bright:

 “And the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid… Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

As the angel spoke, a large Chorus of Angels appeared, praising God:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. – Luke 2:14

I love to think about those shepherds. The most miraculous and significant event yet to happen on earth would receive an official heavenly announcement! Who would God choose to hear theIS marvelous and important proclamation? Surely, there were so many to consider: The countless religious scholars who had studied the prophesies since youth. The faithful rabbi’s who taught their followers of the coming of the Messiah. And, the devout followers themselves, who had heard the prophesies and had been strictly keeping the Law of Moses.

However, our Father in Heaven looked down, and chose to send his Angel Messanger to the most unlikely recipients. A few humble men and women, who lived simple lives, and cared for sheep. These were people most often overlooked [and generally avoided] by society. However, social status has never been a requirement for revelation. God knew these shepherds. He knew their hearts, and must have known that he was choosing individuals willing to drop everything they were doing when they heard the clarion call. They would go ”with haste“ to Bethlehem to see “this great thing“. These shepherds would become sincere, life-long witnesses of Christ. They would eagerly proclaim what they had heard, and seen, and felt that night. In fact, they would do so with such simplicity, and power, and conviction, that “all that heard them would wonder at those things that were told them“.

The apostle Luke gives us a glimpse into the attitude of those chosen:

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them”.

The shepherd’s experience and testimony is still as relevant today as over 2000 years ago. It is now our opportunity to hear the shepherds story, and follow. We can hear the message of Jesus Christ proclaimed by the angel, and invitation to ”come and see“. Like them, we are urged to take action, and hasten to be near the Lord. We have the opportunity to rejoice in the birth,  life, and sacrifice of our Savior. And, like the shepherds, we can choose to recognize the blessings which we have recieved because of it, and “noise it all abroad“!

It is my prayer on this Christmas day that we will have cause to rejoice and glorify our God just like the shepherds of old! In celebration of this day, I have created a new MoSop Movie which illustrates a beautiful song by Jaroslav Vajda and Carl Schalk. (Close Captioning may be turned on or off)

“Where Shepherds Lately Knelt”

This video is available on MormonSoprano YouTube

Where Shepherds Lately Knelt Lyrics

1.
Where shepherds lately knelt and kept the angel’s word,
I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred;
But there is room and welcome there for me,
But there is room and welcome there for me.

2.
In that unlikely place I find him as they said:
Sweet newborn Babe, how frail! And in a manger bed,
A still small voice to cry one day for me,
A still small voice to cry one day for me.

3.
How should I not have known Isaiah would be there,
His prophecies fulfilled? With pounding heart I stare:
A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me,
A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me.

4.
Can I, will I, forget how Love was born, and burned
It’s way into my heart unasked, unforced, unearned?
To die, to live, and not alone for me,
To die, to live, and not alone for me.

On The 14th day of Christmas celebrate the yuletide …  with Brian Stokes Mitchell singing “Sleigh Ride”!

 ”On The 11st Day of Christmas, as Mo’s Countdown posts increase“

…It’s time for some Heavenly Peace

Hush,
The Baby Sleeps
In the arms of His loving mother.
The night is still
And the beasts of the stable
Hover near
In soundless adoration.

Hush,
The world’s asleep
In the dreams of this loving Infant,
And our hearts are still
In boundless adoration.

Sleep, Child, sleep
Your sleep of purity.
Sleep, world, sleep
In God’s Security.

- Van Varner, published in Guideposts Greetings

Voice Male

I’m a sucker for good A Cappella. Some of my personal favorites include The Nylons, Tonic Sol-Fa, T Minus 5, and Take-6. I own every album recorded by VoiceMale. And, who can resist the incomparable King’s Singers? Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of vocal “pyro-techniques”. It’s amazing how the vocal instrument can be used to similate other instruments, animal noises, sound effects…you name it!

PJ in Slovenia

Every once in awhile a group comes along that adds a whole new dimension to what people can do with the unaccompanied voice. Recently I discovered a tremendously talented vocal group billed as “Slovenia’s only Jazz Choir” named Perpetuum Jazzile. PJ is composed of about 40 very talented (and very good looking) young people. In the interest of promoting good music, I encourage you to check out their website (hint: they have their own online radio station – listen free by clicking the play button in the Rt. hand corner).

I present to you the impressive talent of Perpetuum Jazzile, performing AFRICA.

OK -  I guess I better add the “MoSop disclaimer” – aparently more than a few readers of my post on the Susan Boyle Phenomenon are operating under the delusion that Ms. Boyle is a Mormon because I featured her! So, just to clear things up ahead of time for these lovely young Slovenians:

“I am a Mormon. I am a musician. I love good music. I often feature good music on my blog. Although many of my musical spotlights may be Mormon, many may not. [because, as "shocking" as it may be to some, good musical talent is not exclusive to Mormonism!]. – MoSop

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has released an official video press kit that includes over 35 informational segments.

The videos range from the history of the choir, to the planning of a tour, and everything in-between. Segments  include interviews with choir leadership, and individual members share their personal stories. There is plenty of great information for both those who may be unfamiliar with the choir, or for the choir enthusiast.

Head on over, and check it out!

Rev. Roberts

Many are familiar with the National Anthem of the United States of America, however did you know there is also a National Hymn?

Daniel C. Roberts (1841–1907) was a 35 year-old rector of a rural Episcopalian church in Brandon, Vermont when he wrote the text to the hymn “God Of Our Fathers”. He did this as a gift for his congregation to sing in celebration of the American Centennial of 1876. The original tune used was (ironically) entitled RUSSIAN HYMN.

In 1892, the Episcopal General Commission approved the hymn as a submission, and printed it anonymously in its annual report. At that time, Rev. Dr. Tucker, who was the editor of the Hymnal, and George W. Warren, an organist in New York City, were commissioned to choose a hymn for the celebration of the Centennial of the United States Constitution. They chose Rev. Robert’s text and Rev. Warren wrote a new tune for it, which he titled NATIONAL HYMN. This new arrangement included a bold trumpet fanfare, which has remained a standard.

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 63:30

“God of Our Fathers Whose Almighty Hand” was first published in Tucker’s Hymnal, in 1892. And then reprinted in 1894 in the Tucker and Rosseau’s Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged. It was included in the Latter-day Saint Hymnal in the late 1800′s, and has become a beloved standard of Mormon repertoire, listed as Hymn #78. This hymn is often viewed by members of the LDS faith as an anthem of their triumph over persecution, as well as gratitude to God for their opportunity to thrive in America, and spread their message throughout the world. Hat tip to frarozu for creating this lovely music video.

For over a year now I have been continually amazed and inspired by the inspirational gems created on YouTube, especially the Guru of Mormon-YouTube-ism SethAdamSmith. Off and on I would say to myself:

“Self, Someday I’ve got to sit down and learn how to make my own movie! I mean, how hard can it really be?”

Well, for some [insane] reason I decided that last night “someday” had arrived.

I embarked on my Movie Producing quest with gleeful abandon. Of course, knowing me, I certainly couldn’t go about it in any sort of logical way. My learning process always involves twists and turns and scaling the Mt. Everests of the Creativity Kingdom.

This time was no different.

For the sake of posterity, or anyone else who thinks they might like to become a Movie Producer (more…)

Through all eternity
to thee
A joyful song I’ll raise,
For oh!
Eternity is too short
To utter all thy praise.
~ Joseph Addison

“Our God Is A God Of Love”

“Our God Is A God of Love
Love Is His Greatest Gift To Us
Love Is Our Greatest Gift To Him
To Love is Eternal
To Love is Infinite

Love is indeed Heaven On Earth
For there is no Heaven without it
Blessed is a family where love abides
Blessed are the children who’s fondest memories
Are of such Love

Our God Is A God of Love
Love Is His Greatest Gift To Us
Love Is Our Greatest Gift To Him
To Love is Eternal
To Love is Infinite
Infinite…

I wish all you a very happy St. Valentine’s Day weekend. Although this holiday has sadly morphed into a commercial venture, it offers us an opportunity to express our love for others, and to contemplate God’s Love for us. For all intents and purposes, Our Savior Jesus Christ could be considered the greatest Valentine Gift the world has ever received.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

When we do something a little extra for those around us, we are also expressing our love for our Father in Heaven, and His daily gifts to us.

Sweetheart Cookies

My mother-in-law loves traditions, and she always makes sure holidays are extra special. Every Valentine’s Day she sets to work making delicious heart-shaped sugar cookies which she lovingly decorates, and then carefully inscribes the name of each of her children and grandchildren on a personalized cookie. Her “sweetheart cookies” have become quite famous. It seems each year she has doubled and tripled the batch from the previous years. Her gift has not remained exclusive to her family, but extended to friends and neighbors, and even strangers. This has become a treasured tradition that we all look forward to. It’s not just the anticipation of eating such a mouthwatering treat, but the joy of receiving something so personal and which represents our mother’s effort, kindness and love for us individually. As she bestows her selfless service upon each small confectionery creation, she is performing an act which warms the soul, and cheers the heart. Perhaps in this case, even a cookie can represent something eternal and infinite.

Indeed, Mom exemplifies the Apostle Paul’s council:

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour”. - Ephesians 5:2

Let us seek to give the best Valentine gift’s all year long. We do this as we choose gifts which mirror the love of God. Pure, Selfless, Sincere. With “no strings attached”.

Perhaps there is no greater treasure, and no more perfect valentine than the profound simplicity of these three little words:

“I Love You“. – MoSop

Here is a very clever and funny version of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. These “monks” have found a creative way around their vow of silence. (Kudos for all the practice hours this took to pull off!) - MoSop