Michael Young
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Member
Sunday, July 21, 2013

I remember a couple of years ago that my brother-in-law showed me this YouTube video of a girl dancing and playing the violin with her shadow to a really catchy tune. At the time, the thought didn’t even cross my mind that Lindsey Stirling would be one our guest artists with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. But then again, that was before the Choir had its own YouTube channel, and now I shouldn’t be surprised. Who better to put up on our channel than a YouTube star?

Then when I heard about Nathan Pacheco, I could neither remember how to say his name or write it, but as with so many guest artists the choir has had over the years, I trust Mack’s judgment on vocalists. I always end up impressed.

This was no exception. After two nights of incredible concerts, I was anxious for an encore. I wasn’t ready to let go of the experience and the incredible spiritual feelings that accompanied these performances just yet. I was also excited with the thought that having the guests appear onMusic & the Spoken Word would provide them an even larger audience.

I had been impressed with the common thread that seemed to run through the songs—that of hope in the face of adversity. Not only was it in the traditional pioneer songs, but also in the songs from The Secret Garden. Hope in the face of adversity is the central theme of that beautiful show. (I took part in a local production of it last year, and so these selections were especially meaningful.) Our guests contributed beautifully to the theme, especially with Nathan’s breathtaking “Nessun Dorma” and Lindsey’s “Poor Little Lambs,” with the tie-in to her family, just to name a few.

Lloyd’s message today struck me as fitting in with the theme as well. It highlighted that pioneer spirit of making the best out of what we have been given and being happy with it. In the same way that we can patch up and reuse old clothes, we sometimes have to patch up ourselves and then pick ourselves up to keep serving and living the gospel.

Another touching moment for me was watching the guest artists while we sang “God Be with You” to them. I could feel that the Spirit had touched them through our time together, and I tried to communicate back to them through my singing how much I had felt it as well. It was nice that they are both LDS and so can talk about the feelings they experience in the same context we like to talk about them.

I found that I could easily relate to Nathan in particular as I too am a young father who sang at BYU and then continued to pursue his love of music in the Lord’s way. I also know what it is like to have a little boy who wants to eat the microphone and anything else when given the chance. It’s just nice to know that there are so many good people who don’t hide their candle under a bushel, who have put in the long hours and the hard times and now have a chance to share their light with the world.

In short, I’m hoping we haven’t seen the last of those two. Christmas, anyone? I’d love to see what Nathan could do with “O Holy Night” or what Lindsey could do with . . . well, just about any Christmas carol in existence.