Ok... so I couldn't narrow it down to just 10 things so I've added a runner up category and two #1s.
(Runners up... Kenzi getting "heeled" and losing a shoe while rushing into her spot. Wandering through the mazes under the Conference Center and Temple to go to dinner. Kenzi getting up the nerve to talk to Mr. Weeden, the librarian the kids love... he is in the MoTab. Watching the great choir give all of the little kids high fives and "elbows" as they walked past one another in the hall. Hearing Mac Wilberg tell the tenors they were a little flat on one note in one song... how the heck can he hear that with everything that was going on! Sitting with the kids and the choir in the Conference Center after the last performance while they all enjoyed the organ solo and watched the dancers and Christmas tree come up.)
10. The Conference Center... it is so beautiful!
9. The abundance of women's bathrooms at the Conference Center. I've yet to ever wait in a line for the bathroom there.
8. The amazing production.. 139 kids, 380+ Mo Tab, 50+ orchestra, 50+ dancers, bells, etc. The number that ends in 'O Christmas Tree' with the dancers and the tree coming up from under the stage. WOW!!
7. The Holly & the Ivy with Natalie Cole
6. David McColllough talking about and introducing his wife of 50 years... so sweet!
5. Watching the cameras pan the faces of the choir kids and seeing parents and choir directors getting so excited.
4. The spirit that amazingly beautiful music brings to my heart! I love, love, love Christmas music!
3. Kenzi getting to meet and take a picture with Bronco Mendenhall. And totally cool Bronco giving her his BYU bracelet he was wearing when she told him her dad was a big BYU Football fan. (He was so cute to Kenzi!)
2. The Organ Solo ... so great!
1. Watching sweet Kenzi's face on the big screen singing Angels in their Realms of Glory. I cry whenever they sing that song and to see Kenzi on a close up singing made my heart melt.
The Other 1. The presentation after the concert with President Monson, Natalie Cole and David McCollough. President Monson talked and thanked both of them... saying "the five most important words... we are proud of you ... and the two most important words... thank you." Natalie Cole then talked and said how impressed she was by the Mormons and the amazing experience she had. She thanked President Monson for the family history information he gave her and said how grateful she was we share a common faith in Jesus. David McCollough then talked about his wife and told a little history story about John Adams and a discussion with Ralph Waldo Emerson. He said that we need to have more ambition in order to succeed. Not ambition to gain power or money, but ambition to excel. He then said that during the past several days he had seen such a desire to excel and that the Tabernacle Choir, along with things like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Marshall Plan as an American icon and all that they contribute to the history and meaning of our country. President Monson seemed to be welling up with emotion while the two of them talked. President Monson and Natalie Cole hugged and then the choir sang "God Be With You Til We Meet Again." Natalie Cole fought back tears the whole song and it was very touching. Val and I decided the Sunday morning broadcast is one of the best concerts because you get to see all of the "cool" stuff at the end.
I'm sure this whole experience has meant much more to me than Makenzie, but hopefully someday she'll realize what an amazing and unique event she was able to participate in. What a wonderful Christmas for all of the kids who got to participate.
4 comments:
What a great experience for your family! I tried to record it, btw, and the snow interfered with the reception. I wonder if it will replay??
seeing those picture of all the kids makes me want to cry (didn't know beth was in it, i adore her)...i love them so much! i know i don't cry often, but every time the kids came on stage i got a little choked up.
Kenzi looks so angelic. I wish more tickets would have been available so that we could have seen her. She will have to come over and sing for us!!
Kenzi was amazing as was the entire concert. What a special night. I have to say one of my top 10s was the "blinged out" microphone Natalie Cole held!
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