Sharing Space with Politics

Joined during rehearsal by Lt. Gov. of Utah Spencer Cox and Luis Miranda, Jr., the father of Lin Manuel-Miranda, creator of Hamilton, the Musical. Photo from the Deseret News.

Want to sing with the choir and  but not join? Someone can do this as a guest. It is done during rehearsals on Thursday evenings. Guests need to meet certain criteria and they need to be approved but we have had guests from all around the world join us in the loft for a once in a lifetime experience.

This last Thursday we were joined by Lt. Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox. I'm a fan of his. I follow him on twitter and I have heard him speaking at various events and on the radio and he's is a level headed representative. Balanced, fair and open to discussion he avoids focusing on popularity in favor of law, order and morality. Anyway, he sat two rows in front of me and when he was announced I was shocked and excited. 

We were also joined during this evening with the parents of the creator of the Hamilton Musical, Lin Manuel-Miranda. His father sang with us and his mother observed. Amazing evening.

Of course, I didn't get to talk to anyone. Let's be honest, choir rehearsal is busy and we are working the entire time but to share the space with these guests reminded me of the great opportunity it is to be a part of this organization where we get to interact with people of all walks of life. 

The songs we rehearsed for this evening were in preparation for the Broadcast this Sunday, October 29th, which is also Ileina's 14th birthday. Ileina, by the way, is a broadway fan and she knows the music of Hamilton so talk about a small world. 

What a wonderful way to remember this week.

The Broadcast for this week is as follows:

Music

Conductor: Ryan Murphy
Organist: Richard Elliott
Announcer: Lloyd Newell

“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”Music: Ryan Murphy
Lyrics: Henry F. Lyte

“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”¹American folk hymn
Lyrics: Psalm 23; paraphrased by Isaac Watts
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“Improvisation on ‘How Firm a Foundation’” (Organ solo)
Music: J. Ellis; setting by Richard Elliott

“The Battle of Jericho”²Spiritual
Arrangement: Moses Hogan

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain”³ from The Sound of MusicMusic: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Arrangement: Arthur Harris

“Come, Labor On”Music: T. Tertius Noble
Lyrics: Jane L. Bothwick
Arrangement: Ryan Murphy

 Read more about this encounter on the choir's official blog:

https://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/articles/luis-miranda-jr-sings-with-mormon-tabernacle-choir.html?__prclt=hMWyhg36