Yesterday I was asked to direct the hymn singing for one of the Women's Conference sessions held at BYU. I had trouble getting a parking place at the Marriott Center, so I just barely made it down onto the floor in time to do my job. The organist, a friend from TabChoir Nora Hess, was there ready to play. We were instructed by the sound guy what our cues would be. I took a big breath (to try to catch my breath from running in heels several blocks and down the hundred stairs because I was late) and we were ready.
Whoever expected thousands of women to come into a big arena quietly to sing hymns for 10 minutes reverently BEFORE an event SURE GOT THEIR WIRES CROSSED!!!!! These women came in very chatty trying to find the rest of their parties and wanting to catch up and plan their day. They were so excited to see each other. They had absolutely NO IDEA that they should be sitting quietly and singing reverently. They were too busy trying to find seating near their friends.
So there I was singing a solo for 10 minutes waving my arms like a lunatic.
Whoever expected thousands of women to come into a big arena quietly to sing hymns for 10 minutes reverently BEFORE an event SURE GOT THEIR WIRES CROSSED!!!!! These women came in very chatty trying to find the rest of their parties and wanting to catch up and plan their day. They were so excited to see each other. They had absolutely NO IDEA that they should be sitting quietly and singing reverently. They were too busy trying to find seating near their friends.
So there I was singing a solo for 10 minutes waving my arms like a lunatic.
Every so often someone new gets put in charge and tries what they think is a novel idea. They think it is something that has never been tried before and will work splendidly and put everyone in the right frame of mind and will set a reverent mood for the meeting. (Oh, but this has been tried before and has never worked satisfactorily.) At an event like this, ladies need to have time to meet and greet and chat and just be excited with each other.
Even at General Conference in the Conference Center, the General Authorities never ask the Congregation to sing hymns reverently while they are filling that enormous building. Big halls take upwards of 45 minutes to fill. People make noise enough just shuffling around trying to get seated. And after a long drive, having difficulties parking, getting registered, hooking up with their friends, planning what classes to go to, and find seating together --- they just have to talk!!!! People settle down just fine once the actual meeting starts.
This was pretty ridiculous.
Even at General Conference in the Conference Center, the General Authorities never ask the Congregation to sing hymns reverently while they are filling that enormous building. Big halls take upwards of 45 minutes to fill. People make noise enough just shuffling around trying to get seated. And after a long drive, having difficulties parking, getting registered, hooking up with their friends, planning what classes to go to, and find seating together --- they just have to talk!!!! People settle down just fine once the actual meeting starts.
This was pretty ridiculous.
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