Music = Power for Unity and Love

“Music has a sweet power to promote unity and love in the family. Not only is it an important component of family home evenings, but it can exert a continuing influence for good well beyond times when children are small. ”

Russell M. Nelson Fireside held in May 2008

Worthy nursery songs, folk songs, Primary songs, Christmas carols, camp songs, Mr. Roger’s songs, show tunes, hymns, pop songs, and spirituals, are some genres of music that can be used for good when they are sung to children as they fall asleep, as families ride in a car or take a walk, while folding clothes or cooking, etc. This natural and free use of music can contribute to unity and love in a family. Whistling and humming count too.

Who does not need more unity and love? Start little if this is a new experience for you. Choose one song, learn it, start singing or humming it during a specific activity everyday. Rehearse it in your mind if hearing impaired. The act of making music in your heart and home has little to do with your perceived inability to do so. Everyone has a God given voice.

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My Calling

Teacher

Consider using music to help teach your students whether children, teens, adults, or family. Put music in your bag of teaching tools and visit it every month to see if it would enhance, support, or teach a principle or story. Some upcoming songs associated with ‘Come Follow Me’ are:

• “Dearest Children, God Is Near You’ Hymn #96
• “Jesus is our Loving Friend” Children’s Songbook, p 58
• “How Firm a Foundation” Hymn #85
• “Reverence Is Love” Children’s Songbook, p 31
• “In Memory of the Crucified” Hymn #190
• “Redeemer of Israel” Hymn #6
• “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” Children’s Songbook, p 64
• “Keep the Commandments” Children’s Songbook, p146
• “Who’s on the Lord’s Side?” Hymn #260

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What’s New?

• BYU Organ Online Training Sessions – free of charge and available to pianists and organists in any location! A FANTASTIC Opportunity for continuing education.

The presentations will offer a pre-recorded video from 7-8 pm Mountain Time, interactive chat with the instructor during the video, followed by a live Question & Answer session. Enroll for the sessions by hovering over each topic and clicking the “Register” button. Recordings of each class will be available to view for one month following the live presentation. Click Here to register.

• Free Sheet Music – well, mostly free from JAN WOLTERS. Includes hymns, spirituals, gospel music. Some songs on MuseScore. Try ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ for keyboard. ‘I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say’ for guitar, voice, flute.

• UNG Singers & LeBelle Voci Concert – Thursday 24 March 7:30. Free. Homecoming concert at Dahlonega Baptist church.

• UNG Recital with Dr. Oral Moses/bass baritone – & Jakori Rush piano. 21 March 7:30

•Watch Feb 22 MUSIC & THE SPOKEN WORD.

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Up and Coming

• “Grateful Praise” Sacred Music Fireside April 24, 2022 6:30 PM Coal Mountain Stake Center – Be prepared to hear and sing beloved hymns & music. Invite friends.

•“Something All Can Give” 2022 Annual Stake Music Training For those with music callings and open to anyone interested in music. May 14, 2022 9:30 AM-12:20 Coal Mountain Stake Center. Find Out More about the Sessions and Register Here or by contacting coalstakemusic@gmail.com .

•Choir for Stake Conference – 1 practice on May 1st 7:00-8:10. Music will be available before the first practice for you to learn at home. The Choir will sing at the Sunday morning session May 15th.

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Hymn Highlight

Let Us All Press On #243

In 1899 the ‘Missionary Songbook’ of the southern states mission was edited by Welch born Evan Stephens who also taught music at the Unitversity of Utah. At the age of 73 he had contributed 84 hymns for the 1927 hymnal including “Let Us All Press On”. 17 of his hymns appear in our current hymnal. He was the first full time choir director of the ‘Mormon Tabernacle Choir” and expanded the choir from 125 members to over 300. Under his direction, the choir began to sing regular concerts in addition to religious meetings.

In April 2018 President Russell M. Nelson quoted the lyrics as a summary of “our renewed resolve, our challenge, and our charge going forward” . . .

“Fear not, though the enemy deride, Courage, for the Lord is on our side. We will heed not what the wicked may say, but the Lord, alone we will obey.”

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Watch This

Watch and listen to Wayne Marshall play ‘God, Save Our Gracious Queen’ which is also the tune to ‘My Country Tis of Thee’.