The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear

I was very fortunate this year to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert featuring Alfie Boe, Tom Brokaw, and the Candy Bomber, Gail Halvorsen. It was easily one of the most fantastic performances I've ever been to. Mix Alfie Boe's amazing tenor voice with Tom Brokaw's incredible story of the Candy Bomber, as well as Richard Elliot's crazy organ-playing talents, and you're in for a night filled with emotion. It was truly a memorable event. Watch a snippet of the night here.

 

 I was able to attend the concert twice, and one of them happened to be Sunday morning. We were told not to applaud because it was a live recording for 'Music and the Spoken Word.' Let me tell you, that was not an easy task. It took all I had not to applaud because the story of the Candy Bomber is so incredible (you HAVE to watch it when it comes out on video) and Alfie Boe is amazing. 

Alfie played Jean Valjean in the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables so he sang, "Bring Him Home." It brought me to tears each time. You can listen to it here. I promise you won't regret it.

I snuck a picture of the Boe's, Brokaw's, and Halvorsen's posing for a picture after the Sunday concert. :)

I feel beyond blessed to live so close to Temple Square and that I'm able to attend its incredible events. If you want to listen to more of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concerts, or any of their other music, check out their YouTube website here. It's pure awesomeness. :)

O Come, Emmanuel

Holding Out For A Hero

In choir, we're doing a "Totally Awesome 80's Concert." It's pretty rad. I was just looking around on YouTube, listening to some of the songs we're singing, and I came across this little gem. It's from the new movie, "Footloose," and although we're singing the one by Bonnie Tyler in choir, I really like this one too. :)

It's November 1st...

...and let the Christmas music begin!! Not that I haven't been listening to it since mid-October (only through ear buds), but from now on it will be heard from the iHome. Roommates, welcome to Jessica's November-December-beginning-of-January music library. Endure it well. But really, it's not hard to endure. Christmas music is so happy and uplifting! Probably my favorite genre of music. Some may say that it's so repetitive. Well, that's only the case if your station is set to FM 100.3... you've gotta look! There's good stuff out there! If you're stuck, here's a few of my favorite Christmas CDs to begin to your playlist of joyous holiday music.

• Michael Buble's new CD, "Christmas." Uh. Can I just melt right now?! His voice is so, just, ah. No words to describe. Especially this song.
• Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong"
• Mindy Gledhill's "Winter Moon"
• Anything MoTab. Especially "Glad Christmas Tidings," featuring David Archuleta, "Spirit of the Season," featuring Sissel, and "Ring Christmas Bells," featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell.
• Any of the classics: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, etc.
• Jenny Oaks Baker's "O Holy Night"
• David Archuleta's "Christmas From The Heart"
• The Hotel Cafe, "Winter Songs"

Slightly Obsessing...

... over this CD. SO good. Oh goodness, I can't even tell you how much I love it. I went with my family to the concert last year and have been anxiously waiting ever since to get the CD. When I found out Mom bought it, it quickly found its way to my iPod. I just barely listened to it twice. I just laid on my bed, put a blanket over my head, and just soaked it in for the full 120 minutes. Life was grand. I know it's only October 9th, and most would agree that Christmas music should not be listened to this far in advance, but you can't help but give in to some good ol' MoTab and David Archuleta. Pure beauty.

You Know What I Love?

People who sing in the shower. I think I will do so myself tomorrow. I'll work that right hemisphere of my brain that I've been learning about in Creative Arts. What shall I sing? Maybe this (great opera shower song). Or this (my new song obsession. plus, the dogs days are now over...sniffle). This is a good one! This? (ha. if I knew French... I'm working on it though. I learned bonjour ca va and ca va bien today!) Or maybe just this. Whatever it is, my roommates had better prepare for a sweet wake up call tomorrow.

Image via google

I'm Dreaming...

I honestly haven't asked for anything in particular this Christmas. Strange, I know, but I just can't think of anything. I did tell my Mom I wanted stuff for college, but nothing specific came to mind. I guess the only thing I really do want is a white Christmas. As of right now all I see is dead grass outside... no snow. We watched, "White Christmas" last night, possibly my favorite Christmas movie, and they were in the same situation, but on Christmas Eve a miralce happens. It snows. I'm hoping the same happens here. 

Here is Bing Crosby's classic version of, "White Christmas." I've listened to it at least five times today, hoping it might bring a Christmas miracle.

David Archuleta and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

{David Archuleta and Michael York}

{Imgae via Google}

One of my highlights this Christmas was seeing David Archuleta sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We were fortunate enough to get tickets the same night as my grandparents, so we were all able to go together, even if we were separated in the Conference Center. Everything was just perfect. David sang beautifully with his pure, Latino voice, and the Choir was amazing, as always. Michael York, a British actor, was invited to tell the story of how the Tabernacle Choir began (a really neat story) and the decorations were of course, amazing. Afterwards I felt like Christmas had really begun, and I couldn't stop thinking about how incredible it all was. Some of my favorite performances were when David sang about a cat and a mouse at Christ's birth ("Cat and the Mouse Carol"), "Joy to the World," and "Angels From the Realms of Glory," as well as Richard Elliot's organ rendition of, "Holiday Hoedown." If you want a professional review and some pictures of the concert, click here.

Ever since the concert I can't stop listening to David's Christmas album. To listen yourself, click here.

Music Makes My Heart Sing

Two Sundays ago, we had Stake Conference. Can I just tell you how much I love Stake Conference? For one thing, I get to listen to our awesome Stake leaders and their counsel, and secondly, the music is incredible. I was fortunate to sing in the stake choir this year under the direction of Michael Huff. He is the most amazing choir director on earth. Seriously. He's a musical genius. It was his last year conducting us because he moved to Logan to teach at USU (I can't wait to sing under his direction again when I'm there). Anyway, singing in the choir was unbelievable. The music we sang (most of it composed by Brother Huff) was beautiful. Each rehearsal consisted of two hours of a spiritual high. I learned so much, not just about choral singing, but of the Gospel and my Savior's love for me. Two Hymns/songs that really stuck to me were, "Let the Holy Spirit Guide," (such a short Hymn, but so powerful) and "I Know That My Savior Loves Me." The first accompanied President Hanks' talk, which was so inspiring. The second was sung with a small orchestra and it felt like Angels were singing along with us. I could really feel my Savior's love surround me. The Spirit was so tangible and my testimony burned like fire inside me. I love music. It's the source that brings the Spirit to me the quickest and I love it. I will never forget this experience.

She & Him and Chicken Hearts

On Thursday, Pioneer Park hosted it's final Twilight Concert Series concert, She & Him. I found out a few months ago that Zooey Deschanel was coming and got so excited. The best part... it was free!

{Amy, me, Melissa}

{It was really crowded and hot, and we couldn't see her very well. I had to put my arms above my head to take this picture.}

{She was great, but we left early because Amy got beer poured on her foot and we couldn't breathe from all the people smoking behind us.}

{I loved her dress.}

Image via Salt Lake Tribune

Image via Salt Lake Tribune

Image via Salt Lake Tribune

{On the way back to the Gateway, we found a huge statue of Petunia the pig.}

It was around 9:30 and we were starving, so we went to Tucanos. It was absolutely fantastic. It's a different way of ordering food, but very fun. When you go, make sure to get the Abacaxi (grilled pineapple), mashed potatoes, and Brazilian lemonade. The picture above shows us getting ready to eat a chicken heart. Amy's friend Garrett took the picture then videoed us eating the heart. It was disgusting. We made faces and tried to swallow it down, but it was just too tough. Amy couldn't take it any longer and eventually threw everything up on her plate. (It's a great video). We couldn't stop laughing, but quickly decided to clean up before we got kicked out. It was late, and the restaurant had closed. No one was there, so on our way out the manager gave us free ice cream! It was so nice of him, but I don't know how on earth I ate it. I was about to burst because of all the food I ate. It definitely made for some great memories.

In case you want to hear some of She & Him's music, I put some of their songs randomly throughout my playlist. My personal favorite is, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here." Enjoy!

Dear Tim McGraw,

Your concert was absolutely incredible. Here is what I loved:

 The surprise, and happiness that followed, when we discovered how close our seats were.

Love and Theft, Lady Antebellum, dancing nonstop, and the entertaining drunk guy who got so into Lady A and knew every word.

Lady A

Lady A's feet (they were so close I could touch them if I wanted!)

Lady A's guitarist (who is a man) and seeing Jonny!

Our awesome merchandise... of you of course.

Our unbelievably crazy excitement. We had to keep telling ourselves to calm down so we wouldn't hyperventilate and pass out.

The first view of you, coming out from behind the flashing lights and white sheet. And freak.ing.out. we scared the little children in front of us with all our excitement and screaming.

The fact that I couldn't remember the first two songs of the concert because I was so excited.

How you sat down and sang to us. You were so friendly. :)

Your front side, such as muscles, pretty sparkling eyes, and sweat...

...and perhaps your backside when you happened to be facing the crowd. ;)

Your sweet boots.

Your devotion to Faith Hill through the songs you sang.

Your passion in putting your whole heart into singing. I even heard you ran 3 miles before the concert, just to be all pumped up for us. Oh, and your new song, "It Felt Good on My Lips." Yeah, I loved it.

How you danced with a little girl, then bowed and kissed her hand. You probably made her life.

When you sang with a big white sheet behind you and sang with your buddies of 12 years and sang the first song you ever learned (after selling your high school ring for your first guitar).

Your sweet silhouette with that hott cowboy hat.

 

Your fun and friendly personality with the crowd.

The guitar pick your guitarist gave me.

We were so close that we could barely fit in a picture with you, and Paula, the nice lady who let us stand by the stage with her.

Your, "Southern Voice."

My obsession in taking pictures.

When you winked at me in, "Something Like That," because it mentions being 17 and Mom yelled, "She's 17!" and when you touched Mom's hand.

When you came over and grabbed my hand, then crouched down, looked at me, and sang, "She's My Kind of Rain," while still holding my hand. I'm pretty sure I wasn't breathing at that moment. This was my favorite part of the whole concert. Mom was super awesome and took pictures at the perfect times. :)

The way you ended the concert with, "The Cowboy in Me," and then threw your guitar across the stage. Luckily one of your stage crew people caught it. But then you just walked off stage, and I couldn't believe it was over. I was so certain you would sing, "Stars Go Blue."

And although we could have gone on for 5 more hours listening to you, we definitely give you a thumbs up. You were amazing.

I couldn't get over how you touched my hand at least 9 times (I lost count!) so I kissed my hands before I washed them. I guess I didn't love this part so much, but we waited for an hour before we even turned on the car to leave. Traffic was insane. And you had probably been sleeping for quite some time by the time we left.

Thank you for an incredible night that Mom and I will never forget. We definitely, "Lived like we were Dying." You're awesome Tim!!

Love always,

 A very happy Jessica

P.S. Thank you for answering every bit of Mom's letter.

P.P.S. For all you other fans out there, you can have a mini concert yourself here. It's the set list of the songs he sang, in the same order we saw, as well as a little video clip. *Warning: he looks really attractive in, "Felt Good on My Lips," with his jeans, black shirt, and cowboy hat on.