I've heard rumors of "Christmas Miracles" in the past. I've read books about them, and seen touching movies regarding them. But, never in my 31 years of Christmas have I experienced one of my own.
I am the choir director of the Kyrene Ward Choir. I have had this calling for a few years and have made some silly, stress-induced mistakes through my tenure. This morning was my biggest.
The choir was to sing "Good Christian Men Rejoice" as the opening piece for our Christmas program. The men begin ACAPPELA and a measure later the piano and flute join them. I stood up, checked with the instrumentalists to make sure they were ready and had the choir stand (which I have forgotten in performances past). I generally give them men a few empty measures of conducting before they are to come in, so that they can see and feel the tempo, this I also did.
What I forgot to do was request the STARTING PITCH from the pianist so that the men would know their note. And here is the miracle of it all: the men not only started singing at the right time, but they started singing on the RIGHT PITCH. All of them.
For those of you non-musical types... an entire choir of men pulling a note out of thin air ALL TOGETHER is impossible. The Mormon Tabernacle couldn't do it. Nobody could do it. But this morning, dear friends, my ward choir had the "singing angels of perfect pitch" with them and saved our performance.
I laughed through the entire first page of our performance because I couldn't believe I had forgotten to give their note and then MORE, I couldn't believe they had actually sung the right pitch.
Thank you Christmas Miracle.
11 comments:
Tammy,
I've been thinking about you and our conversation about adoption. Give me a call some time or send me a message (farnies.blogspot.com) and we can talk.
Wow, that is awesome! What a true miracle that would be. I love your "singing angels of perfect pitch". I'm so glad it turned out!
I accompany our ward choir here, and while we didn't have a miracle like that, we did have a nice program. Don't you love the spirit of Christmas music? :)
I could do it in my sleep! I think it probably helped that they had Greg. I know if I was singing, I'd wait just a millisecond to hear the note he sang and then join in :)
Man, that's crazy! I sang in the Instant Choir at Women's Conference one year and there was one chick who couldn't get the right pitch at all during the ENTIRE song. Your choir is amazing!
It was a miracle for our little choir...but you are worthy of those helps so it doesn't surprise me! You do a great job and make it a lot of fun to sing with you.
Merry Christmas!
It would be a miracle for any ward choir to sing anything accapella, but the starting pitch thing really put it over the top. Who said miracles have ceased? I'm a believer.
What a funny story. :) I would hate the stress involved with being the ward choir director. Clearly the Lord makes up for any human flaws if one is righteous. Hehehe. Glad it went well!!
ARE YOU SERIOUS? That is the most miraculous story I've ever heard! You must be living your life right. I didn't even know you were choir director. R.S. teacher, yes. Choir director, wha?
:) I love you, Tammy! What a great story. Merry Christmas!
I would expect no less from the wonderful Kyrene Ward!
That's awesome! I can hear the Heavenly choirs now...HALLELUJAH!!
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