Last Sunday I was asked to accompany my cousin and her nephew in a special musical number. The ward where they were singing was in the same chapel as my ward that met just after. They sang very well, and were delighted to see that more family members had come to hear them perform. I had asked my cousin if she would stay just a little while longer and sing in my ward as well. She said that she didn't think she had time for she had responsibilities in another ward across town at 12:30 pm.
However, she and the other family members stayed in the back of the chapel until three minutes before our meeting was to begin. So, I went back and informed them that since they stayed this long, they might as well stay a bit longer and sing in my ward. So, they agreed. I explained things to the Bishopric member, and since I was in charge of the music, it was no problem.
Serendipitous situations like this sometimes just happen, if the wheels are put in motion at the right time by the right people. It was wonderful to have them sing. We had not had a special musical number in many weeks. (Summers are when it is particularly difficult to secure people who are willing or in town long enough to prepare a special musical number.
However, she and the other family members stayed in the back of the chapel until three minutes before our meeting was to begin. So, I went back and informed them that since they stayed this long, they might as well stay a bit longer and sing in my ward. So, they agreed. I explained things to the Bishopric member, and since I was in charge of the music, it was no problem.
Serendipitous situations like this sometimes just happen, if the wheels are put in motion at the right time by the right people. It was wonderful to have them sing. We had not had a special musical number in many weeks. (Summers are when it is particularly difficult to secure people who are willing or in town long enough to prepare a special musical number.
The song they sang was very special in our family. It was a setting of the 23rd Psalm by Henry Smart. In the early 1960's when my family was living in Houston, TX, my mother found a book of sacred duets by various composers for various combinations of voices at the local music shop. She was excited because she thought it was the perfect time for her to teach her 12-year-old daughter how to sing duets with her. That was me. She thought that song was perfect for my first foray into the world of singing sacred duets in a classical style. (In other words, she deemed my voice and musical ability mature enough to match her.)
Together, we sang that duet many times in many different meetings, but mostly for funerals and special musical numbers at church. After I left home, she taught it to others of my siblings. I believe, every one of us had a chance to sing it either with my mother or with each other.
Over the years, apparently my mom shared this music with others in her family, too, like her opera singing brothers. They shared it with their singing children, too. It has become quite a favorite throughout our clan.
Actually, I didn't realize this until last summer when my cousin asked be to accompany her and her nephew singing it in her ward. When we got together to practice, she was quite surprised that I had the physical book that she had a photocopy of. We compared the music and there were the handwritten notes of where I was to sing and where my mom would sing. Somehow, I was blessed to own that heirloom book.
(My cousin is endeavoring to order the actual book, now that she has the correct information about it.)
Together, we sang that duet many times in many different meetings, but mostly for funerals and special musical numbers at church. After I left home, she taught it to others of my siblings. I believe, every one of us had a chance to sing it either with my mother or with each other.
Over the years, apparently my mom shared this music with others in her family, too, like her opera singing brothers. They shared it with their singing children, too. It has become quite a favorite throughout our clan.
Actually, I didn't realize this until last summer when my cousin asked be to accompany her and her nephew singing it in her ward. When we got together to practice, she was quite surprised that I had the physical book that she had a photocopy of. We compared the music and there were the handwritten notes of where I was to sing and where my mom would sing. Somehow, I was blessed to own that heirloom book.
(My cousin is endeavoring to order the actual book, now that she has the correct information about it.)
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