Behold, God is my salvation;  I will trust, and not be afraid;  for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song:  he also is become my salvation.  Sing unto the Lord;  for he hath done excellent things . . . Isaiah 12: 2, 5-6

Music Making and the Rising Generation

Music opens doors and makes connections. It can offer healthy balance, confidence, and identity to children, youth, and adults. Some of the many health benefits include management of depression, stress relief, and increased heart health.

The making of music develops many good things, especially in children such as:

• Motor and language skills
• Improving the management of emotions
• Increasing self-esteem

On top of all those desirable blessings comes the tender spiritual blessings associated with good music. Making music can be a tool for service, ministering, binding, and comfort. It can be a part of the goal-making program.

There are many ways to learn music and they can all work! Whether by ear, paper trained (note reading), or improvisation, all must be practiced. Music is a discipline that many parents are unaware of. Help and encourage your children to stick with their music even when they hit a wall.

Seek out good teachers, mentors, and opportunities for children and youth to practice their developing, new skills. Begin making arrangements now for music lessons in the fall.

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My Calling

Parents & Grandparents

We may not be formally called to a music position, but music in family life is precious. Not only does it create memories but music can teach truth, unify families, and soften hearts.

Here are a few resources to find songs for singing:

• Young Women Camp Songs – 24 Songs with Audio & PDF of Chords with Melody
• Jan Wolters Sheet Music – American Folk Songs, Music & Some Audio
• European Folk Songs by Jan Wolters
• Primary Songs – Always Good to Sing. See this recent Church News article about the benefit of Primary songs
• You and your family could probably relate to the song below. The lyrics are easy – Verse 1: ‘I’m so hungry, I want me something to eat’. Verse 2: ‘I’m so thirsty, I want me something to drink’.

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What’s New

• Organ Coaching!!! Need a little help with a certain hymn? Newly called to the Organ? Just want to learn? Organ coaching is now available at the following locations:

• Stake Center – Sister Jaime Barnes
• Brannon Building & Union Hill – Sister Ginger Dean
• Dahlonega Building – Sister Kay Bohn

Contact the coaches directly or email coalstakemusic@gmail.com to arrange a session. Note: Help with the piano is also available.

• Ward Choir Time – Between now and August is the time to prepare for your Ward’s Choir. The pandemic was an extraordinary challenge for singers but now is the time to gather again. If your ward doesn’t have a Choir, please tell your Ward Music Coordinator and Bishop that you would like to sing when it starts up again.

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Up and Coming

• BYU Organ Workshop August 1-4. Attendance can be in-person or online, which determines the price.

• “Carry On” Music Festival – Saturday September 17, 6:30 PM YES!!! We’re on again! Get your songs ready. Pull out the instruments and gather your group. Invite friends. Let Sister Dean know if you’re wanting to perform. Would like to have a performing group from each unit of the stake if possible. Watch Todd Seay prepare for “Carry On” in the WATCH THIS section below.

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Hymn Highlight

Several of the hymns in our current hymnbook were authored by prophets or apostles. Take the test and see how many you know: [Answers at bottom]

1. What apostle wrote the 4th verse of Hymn #21 Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice?
2. Joseph Fielding Smith wrote what hymn about a long journey in the ‘heat of the day’?
3. Dan Carter wrote the music for #169 As Now We Take the Sacrament. What apostle wrote the hymn lyric?
4. He said, ““Be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, be prayerful.”  He also wrote hymn #135 “My Redeemer Lives”. Who is he?
5. Tabernacle organist John Longhurst and which apostle teamed up to write hymn #134 “I Believe in Christ”?
6. Prophet John Taylor 1808-1887 wrote two hymns that might be unfamiliar to most. Can you guess what they are? They both start with “Go, Ye. . . “
7. One of the first apostles of the restored church, this man wrote lyrics to seven hymns including #196 “Jesus Once of Humble Birth”. Who is it?

Although not in our hymnbook . . . yet. Here are two other beautiful songs to include:

“Our Prayer to Thee” by Russell M. Nelson, current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Watch and listen to it here.

“This is the Christ” by James E. Faust who was a member of the First Presidency before his passing. This song was sung at our Stake Conference on May 15, 2022.

Watch This

Todd Seay preparing for “Carry On” Music Festival in September:

Watch this delightful South African music education experience: