Invitation to Sing

When the ground was broken for the Payson, Utah Temple, I had the opportunity to sing in the choir (see photos, I'm in the top right). From that day until now, I have hoped that I might have the opportunity to sing in the dedication for the Payson Temple. Every time I've thought about it, reality has instantly struck. The ground breaking was held outdoors with a large choir. The dedication will be inside the temple and there will be only a small choir, representing the entire temple district. The likelihood of being selected is almost impossible. Many incredible singers will not even be considered. 
It is truly a hope beyond hope (...but I've still hoped).

I have been full of humility and my heart swells in my chest every time I think about what occurred on Saturday...



March 7, 2015

Dear Bishop Goodworth,

Sister Diana Ballard of the Salem Stake and I (David C. Dahlquist) have received the assignment to oversee the choir from our area for the dedication of the Payson Temple.  Your name was submitted to us by your stake music chair for consideration as a participant in the choir. We have tried to seek the spirit in our selection process and now invite you to perform with us as a BASS in the choir.

Before accepting, please be aware of the requirements for participation in the choir. Singers must:

1.       Attend an initial meeting on Sunday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Payson South Stake Center (711 S 600 E, Payson) and then attend rehearsal each Sunday night (except for Mother’s Day) beginning on April 12th  and continuing until the temple dedication on June 7th. Singers should miss no more than one of these weekly rehearsals.
2.       Because all music is to be memorized, spend as much time as needed outside of regular rehearsals to ensure that end.
3.       Be committed to a high level of refinement in the performance, such as blending with other voices, and be willing to continue to work on details after a “normal” level of quality is achieved.
4.       For the brethren, be clean-shaven for the dedication performance.
5.       Be physically able to walk quickly and stand comfortably for up to 15 minutes.
6.       Have a current temple recommend at the time of the performance.

In addition, we share with you two paragraphs from the letter of instructions that was sent to your stake music chairs:
We believe that we should assemble the best choirs possible within our temple district. We feel that refinements in unity and expression of the music can maximize the spirit conveyed by the music when it is presented with the right motives and with the spirit of humility, praising God, and serving in his kingdom. Rather than trying to produce musically spectacular performances, our goal is to produce performances with appropriate expression, accurate intonation, clean articulation, pure tone, and well aligned rhythm. We want to clean away as many potential distractions as possible and leave only the reverent beauty of the pieces we sing.
 Because of the placement of microphones for the broadcast it is important to use voices that will blend well. We need to shy away from singers with very wide vibratos or brassy tone, for example.

If you have any concerns about your ability to contribute as described in the quoted paragraphs, please respond to this email with your concerns. If you are able to commit to the above listed requirements and will accept the assignment to join with us,  please respond affirmatively to this email with your acceptance of this assignment by Sunday, March 15, and be prepared for further instructions.

We feel it a great blessing in our lives to have been asked to offer our singing as part of the  Payson Temple dedication services and hope you will feel the same.  While we know that music is not and should not be the focus of the dedicatory services,  we acknowledge that singing can soften hearts and help all participants prepare to receive promptings of the Lord’s Spirit bearing witness of truths as words and testimony are shared by the various speakers in the dedicatory sessions.  
We look forward to your response.
 
Sincerely,

David C. Dahlquist, Choir director
Payson UT South Stake


















Point of clarification: The choir director (David Dahlquist) was our stake president when I served as bishop of the Greenridge Ward. I am not currently serving as bishop.

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