Amazing EVMCO Concert with Collin Raye!

Patriotic Music is so inspiring! But with 250 children, 75 in the orchestra and 220 voice choir, with Collin Raye on a microphone, we rocked the house. The house was the Mesa Arts center and it was nearly packed. Brought to tears on Battle Hymn of the Republic, which normally seems like the same old, same old kinda song, and with bagpipes on Amazing Grace, it was also a teary moment.
I had the chance to announce for the beginning and for the military tribute, so I just felt it all the more. My hubby Sterling and daughter Marisa both sing in the choir as well, so it was a family affair the whole day, with rehearsal from 2pm...then going until 9:30pm. Marathon music days.I have to say I thrive on those marathon Music days...except for my feet. They didn't do so well. Need to change the shoes I wear in concerts or I'm not going to make it through the recording sessions next week in Salt Lake City for Messiah in America!

East Valley Mormon Choral Organization- The Real Deal

Sterling and I joined the East Valley Mormon choral organization with julliard trained director- Brandon Stewart. It is a stellar choir with intense rehearsals and grand concerts. If you don't know much about the best choral sounds, vowel modification is paramount. The choirs at BYU really focus on this and the result is a rich uniform sound that has gained national recognition in the choral world. I sang under Dr. Ralph Woodward in the BYU A Cappella choir and enjoyed this rigorous training as well as with the then new director, Dr. Ronald Staheli, who now conducts the BYU Singers- now the top BYU choir.
My friends in that choir are mostly now all singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and it is fun to see them each week on "Music and the Spoken Word" from the 'crossroads of the west'!
With our goals, training and repertoire I can promise that this choir will be doing some amazing things here in the East Valley of Phoenix and beyond! BTW- Brandon Stewart, our director is currently pursuing his Doctoral studies in Piano Performance at Arizona State University.