Requiem

Requiem: any musical service, hymn, or dirge for the repose of the dead

Requiem Masses are a big part of the Catholic Church. All the seniors in my high school choir sang this song and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. It really captures the devastation of natural disasters and the trials that people face. When we performed the song, I made this slideshow to help illustrate the damage of the recent  disasters in Haiti, Joplin Missouri, and the East Coast. It's a really touching song and I hope you enjoy it!

To hear the song along with the video, right click the link below. Then click "open link in a new tab". Hit the play button on the video and it should all work out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Seaxh7AHEiQ

I Am A Child of God

I think I've made it clear that music really speaks to me and through music, everything just makes sense. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing in my life and I'm so grateful for it. Primary songs illustrate perfectly all the gospel truths that are so important. The lyrics are so simple, yet the message is so profound. Essentially my testimony can be formed from these songs and I'd like to share that with you.

I know my Father lives and loves me too. My life is a gift, my life has a plan. Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer every child's prayer? I wonder when He comes again. I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday. Families can be together forever. Faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow. Search, ponder, and pray. Choose the right way, and be happy! I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I will go, I will do, the things the Lord commands. We are as the armies of Helaman. We have been taught in our youth. I hope they call me on a mission. I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in His ways. Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too. I feel my Savior's love in all the world around me. I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me.

I don't even think I can pick a favorite. They are all so wonderful and perfect for little children to understand. It's never too early to start learning the gospel and all the Primary songs have such a sweet spirit that testifies of the truth.

Hakuna Matata

One of my most favorite kinds of music is...(drumroll please!) DISNEY!!! My life would not be the same without it. I know all the lyrics and never get tired of singing them! I've had the opportunity to go to Disneyland once and Disney World twice. They weren't kidding when they said it's the happiest place on earth! It makes you feel like a little kid and sometimes I think that is perfectly fine. The Disney composers are geniuses. With such wonderful rhythms and happy tunes, it's impossible to have a bad day while listening to Disney songs. It's such a wonderful world and you can learn so much from Disney songs.
The Lion King
Hakuna Matata - no worries!
the Circle of Life

Snow White
Heigh Heigh Ho! It's off to work we go!
Someday My Prince Will Come

Little Mermaid
Part of Your World - follow your dreams

Peter Pan
You Can Fly! (I wish!)

The Jungle Book
I Wanna Be Like You - how to have role models

Mulan
Reflection - learn who we are and better ourselves

I firmly believe a childhood is not complete without Disney and it has such a huge impact on our society. While visiting Disney World, I was able to perform on a Disney stage, go to a workshop, and really understand what it's like to be a professional musician. Did you know that the music you hear in the movies is a first recording?! Yup, that's how amazing they are. They walk into the studio, practice for a couple minutes, and then record. That means you aren't allowed to make any mistakes! Talk about a lot of pressure. It's so cool to take a look behind the scenes and see how things are done in such a big production.

Throw Down A Beat!

An important part of music is rhythm. It is essential to keep the rhythm or else the song could end in disaster! I've learned to count really well and make sure I'm staying together with either the rest of the orchestra or choir or soloist. Rhythm and beats can sound really cool as well and there are groups that make music out of them! Beats are also useful when someone is rapping. Here's a group that I heard in elementary school called STOMP. They use random items such as garbage cans, brooms, and other things that most everyone has laying around the house to create music. They are pretty fun to watch!

The Sidekick

Today I am going to talk about accompanying, which has been a huge part of my life the past couple of years. I've been told it's a blessing and that even some of the best piano players don't have the ability to be a great accompanist. And I believe it! It can be very difficult to not only focus on your part, but also on the soloist or group. You have to listen to them and follow what they are playing. You have to play more softly and remember that you are not the one that everyone is listening to. Your job is to help make the soloist sound the best they can be. To make it so easy that they don't have to worry about anything but their part. I know what it feels like to be on both sides of this and I'm grateful for that because it allows me to accompany better. I have had amazing experiences accompanying others. One of which was my job. I loved accompanying for all of Sister Gehring's string students. They were all younger than me so it was fun to see them all progress and to work with them often so that we would be more comfortable playing together. I really felt like they looked up to me and I loved being a good example for all of them. Accompanying can be very stressful but music wouldn't be the same without a challenge. Often there's too much music to learn, tricky page turns, big chords, losing your place, or struggling to stay with a performer that is playing too fast or forgets a part and skips to a random line in the music. I also accompanied several songs for my high school choir. Playing for 60 singers is a lot of fun, especially when everyone enjoys the song and appreciates what you do! I have accompanied choirs at many church events, and played for many performers at solo/ensemble contests, sometimes for several years in a row! I love it so much! I love the feeling of being a part of another person's success and being there for them to enhance their performance. Because I do accompany so much, I am often left without an accompanist, which helps me appreciate my job even more, because it's not as fun to play by yourself. I look forward to accompanying more in the future and finding more opportunities to use this somewhat rare gift.

Called to Serve

I love how music can always finds the perfect way to express thoughts and feelings. Being a freshman at BYU, one of the highlights of the year is all the young men receiving their mission calls. I've been so blessed to meet such amazing boys who have so many great things ahead of them. I'm excited for this great opportunity they have to serve the Lord and preach the gospel around the world. I love the song, In the Hollow of Thy Hand by Janice Kapp Perry. I feel like it really captures the essence of what missionary work is all about and the prayer I have in my heart for all of my friends. Music invites such a strong spirit and I think that it's a great asset when missionaries have music ability. So, as a mom, I'm going to make sure my boys can play the hymns so they will be able to serve in their wards or wherever their help is needed.

The Blessing of Service

As I've said before, I love sharing music with others. I've learned that you never know the impact you can make on someone's life and how much your efforts can be appreciated. Music has always been so natural for me and the opportunities I've been blessed with are indescribable. I've played for vast amounts of people in all different venues. I think that music not only affects the audience, but also the performers. I always feel so much joy when I perform and it gives me so much satisfaction to know that I've blessed someone just from making music. It may seem like such an insignificant thing, but to me, music has such a deeper meaning and it's influence has the power to change lives. I think this is because it connects to the soul. When you listen to music, you feel something. It can evoke so many emotions and cause marvelous outcomes. Serving in music can take many forms. It may be:

• performing in a concert or recital
• performing a musical
• teaching lessons
• singing a child to sleep
• volunteering to play in a class
• playing for loved ones
• singing at a fireside
• accompanying a soloist
• writing music for others to use and enjoy

The possibilities are endless and even the smallest things can mean the world. The greatest thing about service is that it not only blesses the lives of those you serve but you can also benefit from the experience. I think it's important to be willing to serve and to seek out opportunities to truly make a difference.