Dec 15: Jesus Worshipped through Song and So Can You

I so much love Christmas, partially because of the music.  I was so bummed last year when I didn't get to sing in the Stake Musical Concert--Sunday and Thursday next week this year--it was the same day I burnt myself.  However this year will be different.  Also to enjoy music you can check out anything by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Our Family Sing-along is December 23 this year.  I know this is late in the year, but it allows for Natalia and grandpa to be here.  Please check the website Mormon.org for additional idea.

Hold On: Alex Sharpe presents One Heart & One Voice

This is another song from the concert at the Logan tabernacle featuring Alex Sharpe.  This is a song I know from when my kids sang in the Zion Choir in San Jose.  It is very nice.  Sharpe covers it very well, and the energy and diction with which she performs are very nice.

Broadway Review 2016 Bring Him Home

Broadway review was excellent this year.  It seems to keep getting better.  I know, soon the talent will be way beyond me, but they let me sing all the same.  I had most fun in the ensemble pieces.  I sang in "Aint got Dames," from South Pacific; "Father We've Something to Tell You" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; "Something About this Night" and "The World is Upside Down" from Finding Neverland; "One Day More" and People's Song" and "People's Song reprise" from Les MIserables.
As you can see from the program there was an incredible amount of talent.

A big thank you to all those who assisted.  It was a very good night.  My son Jeremy helped with set, as did my daughter--Miranda.  Rob Kroff did the sound, and Greg Anderson lights.  There were many more who helped in whatever small way.

Stake Musical Night: Sing-a-long.

The title of the program gives you a clue as to one of the songs the stake choir will be singing.  We are doing another song together and then there is a men's number and a women's number.  I don't know what other musical presentations there will be, but there are generally a few ward choirs, and several solos.

Caleb Sings for Natalie and Charlie at Their Reception

Natalie, or Dianna asked Caleb to sin for the reception.  This is the song Caleb came up with.  He says it was written by his older brother Mark.  This was November 14.

Life in Manteca 90: Stake Music Night Was Excellent as Always

The stake music presentation was a very good presentation.  Sister Ruth Christensen always does a good job.  The stake choir finished things with two numbers, Pilgrim Song and Good Night, Dear Heart.  For and explanation of this song here: http://whilhelmsthoughts.blogspot.com/2014/03/poetry-i-like-mark-twain-good-night.html
However many other presentations were very touching.  Both Sheri and I were close to tears when Cody Nydegger sang "I Wonder When He Comes Again."  Caleb sang this a couple times when he was six, at the ward Easter presentation, and then for stake conference.  See Wilhelm's Thoughts blog: http://whilhelmsthoughts.blogspot.com/2014/03/caleb-sings-i-wonder-when-he-comes-again.html
Five women from our ward, accompanied by Joni Helstrom sang a wonderful rendition of "I Know that My Redeemer Lives".  They were Diana Todd, Amy Bingham, Louise Poole, Candace Hoban and Jennie Hokanson.
Father and daughter, Aaron and Isabelle Frazier sang "I am a Child of God" and did an excellent job.  Their grandmother and great-grandmother live in our ward.  They are good friends of Caleb.
Their was a delightful instrumental quartet--oboe, bassoon, Sister Christensen on flute, and a clarinet.  They played some Mozart, and then a variation of "Happy Birthday".  I particularly liked it to the music of "The Sting". 

Life in Manteca 75b: Manteca Stake Broadway Review: "Bring Him Home"

I wasn't sure if I wanted to post this.  My voice was tired, and maybe I was deluding myself that I could singe this song.  However, it does have some redeeming parts.  It is not Colm Wilkinson or even Alfie Boe.  It is a baritone struggling to sing with the high tenors.  However it has emotion, and this song is a terrific prayer as Val Jean prays for his future son-in-law.  I tried to get emotion by singing for my son who is a month on his mission in Iowa.
I had fun singing, and am still impressed at some of the talent in our stake.  I thought this was going to be an amateur event, but I was so wrong.  Those who performed were all very professional.

Caleb Band and Choir Awards

These are Caleb's awards for Band and Choir.  He received an "activities letter" in choir.

He also received a section leader certificate and for the second year in a row, the Kellani Arnold Award for the second year.  This award honors the choir member who is the most helpful and picks the other choir members up with his attitude.

In Jazz Band he received his Jazz patch with a trumpet pin.  He also received an "Outstanding Musician" award.
Thank You Mr. Talcott and Mr. Hammarstrom.

Caleb other music (playlist)

2013 Concerts: Starz on Stage, Cupertino Choir

Sheri helps backstage with Starz on Stage.  As such I attended the concerts.  Starz is a youth jazz dance group.  All my kids, excepting Natalia and Tony have had there turn in Starz on Stage.  They are directed by Teri Wardle Slaugh.  I stayed with Sheri after work to watch the show May 10.
In this show, the boys stole the show.  There was also a song from the young girls that was cute, "If you like it, you should put a ring on it."  It was a fun evening with seeing many old friends, The Baliguats, the Sepulvedas, and Vern and Karen and Ben and Teri and Bishop Slaugh, Fonz Allen, and many others.  Teri always has nice snack bar and this year there were lots of cookies.
Last night we attended the Spring Choir Show at Cupertino High School.  It started with the beginning women's choir Catabile.  The only thing I remember about them is how short their dresses were.  There "I enjoy being a girl" was cute.
They were followed by the men, who I felt did an excellent job interpreting a Beatles anthology.  "A Hard Day's Night" was very enjoyable, and I love "Yesterday."  They did a well deserved encore of "Twist and Shout."
The older women, Cantos, presented Sister Act.  They wore habits except the last couple songs when the wore short short.
Capella present Les Miserables.  They also did this Jeremy's senior year, and I think the fell short.  It was fun hearing Scott Dye with a baritone voice.  I was really impressed with "Bring Him Home" soloist Takuma.  "One Day More" seemed a little too difficult with many people singing solos and mixing them with the choir.  At any rate, it is hard to put the whole show into 25 minutes, which is what they did.  I would life liked to hear "Songs of Angry Men."
  Ashley Orton came and sat by us and she was able to visit with Sheri.  Nancy Orton, who wasn't there was mentioned as the costuming person even though her girls have graduated.

Movie Review: BYU Education Week: Michael Ballam: Recognizing Inspiration in the Arts

This is the third and last Michael Ballam presentation available through BYUtv.  He continues with his inspiring talks about music.  In this talk his them is that if we surround ourselves with the light Of Christ through inspirational literature and music, then we can avoid the influence of the Prince of Darkness.  He starts talking about how people are often appointed to there time and position in life.  He starts with Esther."  Esther 4:14...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?  He then talks about other prophets, Moses, Joseph Smith who were also appointed to particular times and duties. 

His topic then focuses on how music can bring the light of Christ into our lives.  "We can be protected by the light of Christ....The peace of God."  He uses several examples of this, including Saul being comported by David's harp, and King George finding comfort in Handel's "Water Music."  He notes how different songs and composers have been inspired by God.  "I am a Child of God" is a song he mentions, as well as Bach, Brahms and Beethoven.

He draws the conclusion that if God inspires music, then also Satan.  We have the Light of Christ to help us discern.
http://www.byutv.org/watch/59952d8a-b734-4672-9fb9-bd1a98587125/byu-education-week-michael-l-ballam-2009

Michael Ballam concludes with the thirteenth article of faith.  We are expected to do as Joseph Smith advised, as he quoted Paul.  "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."  Seek is an action word. 

Ballam intersperses his discourse with music.  He is a fascinating speaker, and very uplifting.

Conference Music

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/music?lang=eng#d

I thought I would share this link.  This is conference music for the past years.  Of course it is dominated by the tabernacle choir, but their is also lots of other good stuff.  I recommend BYU Men's Choir and "I Love the Lord."  Anything by the Tabernacle Choir is going to be good as well.  If you like men's choirs you can pick Priesthhood sessions, and for women's choirs there is Young Women's and Relief Society meetings.  There is also primary music if you prefer children's voices.  This is a great site.  It will also play through so you don't have to pick each song.

Michael Ballam: The Healing Power of Music

http://www.byutv.org/watch/ad1a8655-a2b4-4d95-b814-f4551fc1d4c5/byu-education-week-michael-ballam-1999

Today in Sunday School we talked about Emma Smith and section 25 which was a revelation for her.  We talked about marital relationship, being aware of pride and finding joy.  We did not talk about her assignments to gather hymns, and what the Lord said about music.

 11 And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church.

 12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

I cam across this movie on BYUTV of Michael Ballam.  This is one in which he talks about the power of music--the healing power of music for the most part.  I pray that I will be singing until the day I day and beyond. Music brings light to my life.

Our View of the Musicfest San Jose.

Caleb and I visited the Musicfest, which use to by the Jazzfest, in San Jose.  We saw eight acts on four different venues. With three days, something like fourteen stages and 100 acts, our view was limited.

Amanda Shaw the the Cute Guys
This was on the main stage.  Amanda Shaw plays violin and is very talented.   However we did not like the vocals, and Caleb said it was two "twangy" for his taste.  I like the Southern Blues, but we decided to check out the up and coming artist venue in the Tech Museum.
Youth in Jazz: Mr. Clifford Music School
We first saw a very young group.  They were very talented, but again their voices were young, and you could tell by the sound.  
Monte Vista High School Ensemble
Caleb wanted to see if he might know a director of this Jazz ensemble.  He didn't.  Caleb was confused why they had two lead guitars.  They had saxaphone and trombone in their brass section.  The had piano players who took turns.  They were very talented.  Caleb most enjoyed the song Red Clay.

Tech Museum
Because the concert was inside the museum, we were given museum tickets as part of the fest entry.  We played some as we listened to the concert.  Lots of exhibits on energy.  We also played with a butterfly exhibit.  They had a strange hand dryer in the bathroom.

Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
This group was back on the Main Stage.  They had a good groove, and jazz organ.  However, from their name I thought they might play on trash cans, or something.  They didn't.

Tony Monaco Group
Tony Monaco plays Jazz Organ.  His group also had guitar and drum.  He didn't need bass as he played the pedals on the organ.  How anyone can go two ways at the same time is incredible to me.  He performed in the San Jose Repertory Theater.

This is a song he sang.  This is someone else's recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKwN3E-a66o
The Yesberger Group
We were pleasantly surprised with Yesberger Group. They are an up and coming band with crisp vocals and catchy tunes.  Caleb cam home with there experimental CD.  There drummer is very talented, and used many different drumsticks, and even his hands for different tones.  They have added trumpet and are now a quartet.

This is one of their songs, not my recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt25zixL5_Y

Jazz Crusaders
Our last group was Jazz Crusaders on Main Stage.  It was crowded with everyone having their lawn chair.  However they played some old classics with a bent trombone and saxophone.  They called each other "Cats."

Life in Manteca and Cupertino 42

This has been another week of concerts, four in all, two in Manteca, and two in Cupertino.  This week has been the Cupertino High School Spring Concert under the direction of Mr. Arons.  This concert featured Capella performing "Lion King" (Nancy Orton did costumes.)  Adam Ure and Scott DChye were giraffes--very tall boys.  Alyssa Orton was a lion.  The men did Beach Boys, and the women's groups "Mary Poppins" and "Wicked."  Mary Poppins is an old favorite. One thing funny was they performed "Changed for Good" which was also presented in the Manteca High School Concert.

Sheri came to town for MD appointment and discovered "Starzz on Stage" was performing.  This is a younger version of the company all the kids danced and sang for.  It was at the Cupertino church, in the gym, so we saw many old friends.  We also saw many young people when the kids performed, who are not so young now.  They sang and danced to "Fun, Fun Fun" which the men of Cupertino High School performed a couple days before.  They ended with "God Bless the USA" which my kids use to also end with when they were in Starzz.

It was also the Sierra High School Spring concert.  Caleb again sung his solo "For the Longest Time."  There were a few new songs.  One was a women's song.  Caleb received a couple awards.  One for being section leader, and the other for the best helper and attitude called the
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHaeRxe0s7E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XDUsImLh_Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRbp1aXKeCY

Finally, today, Caleb with "Hot Spud" performed a three song set for "Battle of the Bands" in Manteca.  Two songs I have previously shared, but I recorded the third which featured a solo vocal.  Caleb was on drum all three songs.

The Battle of the Bands was at the Senior Center, and I discovered some more murals.  For the most part the depict local farming scenes and history.  I apologize for the blurry nature of some, the lights were dim for the concert.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRbp1aXKeCY

Life in Manteca 35: Blossoms, restaurant review and lots of music

Sheri and I decided to check out a restaurant after the movie a week ago.  We were looking forward to it, but in the end were disappointed.  The restaurant is **Las Casuelas, which is close to Sierra High School on Yosemite.  To start with the what we found positive.  The decor was very nice with decorations of things with a Spanish connection.  Sheri commented on getting several ideas for the house.  The service was satisfactory.  They provided bean dip and salsa for your chips.  The bean dip was satisfying.  But the most important part, the food, was very much lacking.  Sheri ordered a couple tacos of carne asada.  The were topped which lots of extra stuff she did not enjoy.  She didn't even get through one taco.  I ordered the steak milanesa.  It was so over done it could have been any cut of meet.  In fact it tasted like over fried and dried out chicken.  Not anything like the milanesa I use to enjoy in Argentina.  I took it home and ate it as ketchup meet the next day for lunch.

Caleb had volleyball tournament last week.  It was a combined coed young men's/women's tournament.  The Northland team did not lose any games, and were declared the champions.  Natalia and Heather were there as well. 

The blossoms are blooming all over the valley.  I did not attend the Almond Blossom Days in Ripon, but have enjoyed the blossoms all the same.  There are miles and miles of them.

There has been lots of music, with Caleb being in two groups, the past couple weeks.  There is more music to come.  We attended the High School dessert and pop concert.  There were a few group numbers, but mostly solos.  Caleb presented "Your Song" accompanying himself on the piano.  It was an enjoyable evening.  Sunday we attended a sacred and classical concert presented by the stake.  Caleb sang, "I Have Not Seen, Yet I Believe" with Miranda playing piano.  This is a Sally DeFord song.  It was very nice.  For me it was the highlight of the night.

after Sunday night concert

I did something I normally wouldn't.  Caleb wanted to go to a flute concert with classical and jazz music in Turlock at the university.  It presented a flutist visiting from Arizona State who first did classical, and then jazz.  I part I enjoyed the most was the Bach.  However there were also some nice jazz pieces.  After this we had dinner with Charity and Anthony.  They had the missionaries over.  We met the MTC companion of our missionary in our ward now.

Music I Like: ***Gladys Knight, Before Me

This C.D. I checked out of the library this week and have enjoyed.  It is dated 2006.  Gladys explains the reason for the title.  "The songs that I did for this album were favorites of mine from yesterday.  As I was getting this music together, the title, BEFORE ME, just rang in my head.  I was moved to pay tribute to those glorious performers who came before me and paved the way for me to be a part of this industry."
This is a selection of jazz songs.  I enjoy jazz music, but it isn't what I normally listen to.  I can usually listen for a while before moving on to something else.  I must admit, I admire Jazz musicians because the chords seem so intricate.
On this album there are two lovely things, Gladys voice, and the band.  We are privileged to hear piano and guitar riffs, saxophone and trumpet solos, as well as an accomplished band in general.  Gladys explains that jazz music was part of her life since her high school days in Atlanta.  Some of my favorites on the C.D. are Stormy Weather, God Bless the Child and Good Morning Heartache. 
Gladys gives thanks,  "My most heartfelt thanks goes out to my Father in Heaven for this most precious gift of song.  And to my brother, Jesus Christ, for his sacrifice that I might live once again in the kingdom of heaven and further use by gifts and blessings to glorify them."  May we all have that same attitude, and I am grateful for talents such as Gladys' that make the world more enjoyable.

Lessons from my Children: Jeremy; Through Practice You Can Overcome

Jeremy

Jeremy at the MTC

When Jeremy was born, our greatest challenge was finding him a name. He was born the day after Natalia’s third birthday.  It was a scheduled delivery. Even so, we still hadn’t decided on a final name for him. It was a struggle. I wanted to call him Jeremy Truck, because I knew he was going to be strong and tough. Sheri forced me to compromise, and we decided on Jeremy Tate.  Jeremy is a family name on my mother’s side.  Her great grandfather Thomas Jeremy was captain of an emigration party, and stake patriarch in the Salt Lake Stake.

I had a very bad cold when Jeremy was born. The OB doctor prescribed some medications for me as I struggled with a stuffed up system.

Jeremy was the longest of our children when he was born. Sheri is very short. As a result he was born bull legged. He had to be fitted for special shoes, which turned his feet out. The shoes also had the special bar to go between which made it so they were attached to each other. This thwarted Jeremy’s mobility. Jeremy hated them; the bar especially. It was heavy and awkward, and had to be dragged around as he crawled or as he began to stand. He couldn’t get around the way he wanted to.

More than the shoes, the thing that helped Jeremy’s feet was his mother’s patience in carefully massaging them. Every time she would change his diaper, she would take time to massage his feet and turn them out. Over time his feet and legs were completely corrected.

Jeremy as a baby was a climber. He taught us patience, as he could get into anything. We had a hard lesson in patience when Jeremy’s baby sister was born a couple years later. Jeremy was jealous of his sister and the attention she got, and didn’t like losing his place as the baby of the family. He climbed on the piano, where we had put a porcelain replica from the “Hansen” collection of a mother praying. Jeremy knocked this off, and it broke, irreparably.

The life lesson I have learned from Jeremy is that through practice, you can overcome. He is much like Heber J. Grant who would quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do—not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do has increased,” and then put those words into practice, guiding his life.

Jeremy, like President Grant was not the greatest of singers. However Jeremy had a great desire to sing. I remember when he came home from Primary one Sunday and let us know his favorite song was “I am a Child of God." He wanted to sing it for us. He was probably three at the time. He sang every word. He also had the rhythm down as well. It’s just, I thought the song had more than one tone, which was how it came out. That was where Jeremy started in his singing ability.

However, he continued to sing whenever he could. He sang in Primary. He sang in school programs. He sang whenever the opportunity presented itself. He would sing with recordings. He would sing in church. He would sing with his stereo. He would also listen to music as well. He used rehearsal C.D.s and rehearsal helps on the computer. He worked hard at learning music.

When in high school he continued to pursue singing. He often sang in two choirs—men’s chorus and advanced 'capella chorus. He also participated in an acapella men’s quintet. He sang in our church choir. He sang in a youth choir for two years in the San Jose area and was the bass leader for a time. He can sing both low tenor, baritone and bass parts. He is much better at hitting the right note than I am, and I have sung in church choirs since I was about 14 years old. (39 years) He has had lead parts in musicals, and it is fun to watch how he learns music, singing parts over and over again with the computer.

The ability to overcome difficulty, and develop our talents was expressed in the Book of Mormon, by the Lord as he counseled Moroni, when he complained that he was not mighty in writing:

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12:27)

Jeremy also had a love of sports, and played on several teams.  He loved wrestling, basketball and soccer.  When he arrived at high school, these three sports took place at the same time.  As a result he had to choose.  He was best at soccer, but wanted to play basketball.  He had to work hard.  He wasn’t the best shooter, but because he played so hard, he was a very good defender.  I don’t like to play against him because of that.  I like a little space, which he doesn’t like to give.

Jeremy has exemplified faith and humility in many areas of his life, one of which has been the way he has overcome his weakness in music, and made it a talent.  Another has been his participation in sports.