capital performance

We took 90 missionaries to the state capital to sing (see following write up) We had 20 sisters and 70 elders. Sixty four of the missionaries were from the United States and 26 were from Brazil.

Originally they had asked for a 40 missionary choir to come and sing--one bus load. But I felt like this did not really represent our choir. We are not trained singers and the hallmark of our choir is the spirit with which we sing. I asked if Vernon and I could pay to bring a second bus load. The CTM director felt like if we took that many missionaries they would not have to have some teachers come and could give them the day off. This would enable them to have the money for an extra bus. I was elated but then I still had to leave many behind that wanted to come. It was great news but it also was the saddest day ever that I have had at the mission. I felt like I was going out West and leaving some of my children behind.

We sang two numbers. An arrangement of "Love is Spoken Here" combined with "Love at Home" that one of the new missionaries suggested. Then we sang the choir arrangement of Sally DeFord's beautify piece "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" that she wrote for her daughter when she was baptised.
Irmao (brother) Lopez one of the teachers lead the choir and Sister Summerhays played the Flute. Elder Lopez had forgot his music so at first we thought Sister Summer hays would have to play with her back to the audience. I had brought extra copies of the music so she ended up sitting down on the second row of seats and taped her music to the chair backs of the first row.

We had three practices. Friday and Saturday night from 8:00 to 9:30 and then had a seating assignment practice at 5:30 on Sunday. For our regular Sunday Fireside performance we sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" we invited everyone that wanted to to sing to join the choir and had 130 missionaries sing that evening. The choir was exceptional that evening.

Sister Gibson played the keyboard which was difficult because of the way they had the sound system hocked up. She could not hear herself play. She has been a blessing for us. She site reads wonderfully well and is ready and willing to help us out in a moments notice.

I forgot to load the music stands on the bus so I held the music for the violinist. Elder Moss brought his own violin and Elder Cleghorn had a Celtic jazz band in Texas and together they were terrific.

We had time to run through each song once before the guests all arrived. I was especially pleased that the president got to hear both numbers because Vernon had to take the President and Sister Woodward to the airport before the choir sang.

There did not seem to be much concern that the meeting did not start on time. The meeting did not begin until about 10:30 (a half hour late)

By the time the meeting did start the whole lower level was full.

They had several speakers and the meeting was televised. The missionaries were so excited to be on Brazil's equivalent of c-span. The meeting organizers asked the missionaries to stay in their seats until everyone had left the hall.

There was a display in the lobby. When we did leave I was stressing out because the missionaries started mingling with the crowds. I did not think we would ever get them back on the buses. We finally got all the missionaries on board and made it back to MTC in record time. I was relieved when the last missionary signed in. The missionaries loved the experience!