With the beginning of summer comes the time we get to perform many wonderful and stirring patriotic anthems. Some of my favorites that we sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" arranged by Wilhousky, "Distant Land" by John Rutter, "And the Dream Goes On" by John Williams, and "America the Beautiful" arranged by Mack Wilberg. The words and choral parts of these anthems are moving and wonderful, but what makes the experience of singing them so exciting are the orchestrations. How great is it to be able to sing with such a wonderful orchestra! These pieces are all very different, yet powerful and thrilling in their own ways. During the next few months, we will get to sing many wonderful patriotic anthems on the Music and the Spoken Word Broadcasts, as well as concerts with the Utah Symphony at Deer Valley and the the Pioneer Day Celebration concert.
My father was born on July 2nd. We have always had fun celebrations for his birthday in conjunction with the July 4th Independence Day celebrations for our country. Dad's jobs moved us all over the country, so we were able to experience many different ways of celebrating the birthday of America, as well as my father's. But, no matter how elaborate the fireworks, or parades or gala events, the thread that connected all of these celebrations was the music. And we had the advantage of knowing and understanding the many references in the songs about America, because we had first-hand knowledge of historical events and places from actually visiting them.
My father was born on July 2nd. We have always had fun celebrations for his birthday in conjunction with the July 4th Independence Day celebrations for our country. Dad's jobs moved us all over the country, so we were able to experience many different ways of celebrating the birthday of America, as well as my father's. But, no matter how elaborate the fireworks, or parades or gala events, the thread that connected all of these celebrations was the music. And we had the advantage of knowing and understanding the many references in the songs about America, because we had first-hand knowledge of historical events and places from actually visiting them.
For my father's 80th birthday, I felt inspired to write a song to thank him for helping me develop a love for our country. Not only did Dad take us to visit most of the United States, he taught us about how this land was preserved for a special purpose. This land was reserved as a place for the gospel to be restored and come forth in the last days. It is a promised land for those who are righteous and serve the God of the land. It is "My Promised Land" because of the covenants I have made to personally serve the Lord and strive to live righteously. It can be your promised land, too.
At this season of remembrance, may we take the time to remember our forefathers and their resolve to build America as the land of the free and the home of the brave. May we commit to live righteously, for as John Adams said,
"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.
It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
At this season of remembrance, may we take the time to remember our forefathers and their resolve to build America as the land of the free and the home of the brave. May we commit to live righteously, for as John Adams said,
"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.
It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
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