Mozart Requiem

The Idaho Falls Symphony performed last evening in the Idaho Falls Civic Center.  As part of their concert, they invited three local high schools to perform the Mozart Requiem with the symphony.  Madison High school was included in this opportunity along with Bonneville and Hillcrest High Schools from Idaho Falls.  It was a great opportunity for the students to prepare such a large, glorious work for the communities.  Sarah and Dave performed together with about 150 other performers.  The conductor is new this year.  His name is Thomas Heiser.  He displayed great energy, musicianship and innovation as he led the participants in the concert.  Catherine and I were in attendance.  We enjoyed the beauty and emotion of the music.  Catherine wasn't sure that she would enjoy it as much as she did.

Spring Break

On Friday morning during our Spring Break we woke up to 4 inches of snow.  It was quite a surprise.  Our spring break began on Thursday and will continue through tomorrow.  Today (Easter) has been a lovely day with a lot of sunshine and melting snow.  We attended church where I taught the eight year-olds an Easter lesson.  Dave taught his Sunday School class focusing on Enos, Jarom, Omni and the Words of Mormon.  He teaches about fifteen16-18 year olds.  He says they are a good class and participate willingly.

We enjoyed an Easter Dinner consisting of Cafe Rio Salad and a rejected cake from our neighbor's home. Kirsten feasted on a dinner provided by her ward at BYU.   It was testimony meeting in our ward.  I really enjoyed hearing a collection of testimonies directed towards the Savior.

On Friday evening, Camille graduated from BYU-I with an associates in nursing.  We attended the Commencement meeting where Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke and then we attended the convocation.  Camille accompanied a group of nurses as they sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing".  She graduated magna cum laude.  Both grandparents were in attendance as we celebrated this occasion.  She will now continue forward to obtain her Bachelors in Nursing with only 19 more credits to earn.  Her plans are to have one more graduation in December where she will receive that degree.

Sarah has decided to be a student at BYU-I starting Fall semester.  She gets to live with Camille in the same apartment for one semester.  They are excited to spend a bit of time together.

I accompanied a pretty intense cello senior recital last Tuesday.  Together we played the Frank Sonata and a speedy, jazzy tango.  I enjoyed the experience very much.  It is fulfilling to me to build upon the talents I have spent many years developing.  This past winter semester I accompanied three senior recitals which consists of a good amount of music.   I am getting to know a lot of string repertoire as most of my accompanying is for string players.

Sarah is sewing ballet costumes for her final ballet recital.  It is quite an undertaking as she is putting together a costume for each sister.  The sisters have danced together in their senior solo each year one has graduated.  This year they are dancing to Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas with brightly colored costumes.  Should be a good memory!!