Mormon Missionary Choir "Wow" Scotland with their Easter Concerts

We were honored to be asked  by the Mission President and Sister Brown to organize a missionary concert tour for Easter. We had 2 months to get it "sorted." Advertising started even before the choir members were finalized, because we had to wait until after "transfers" to see who was still remaining in Scotland (as opposed to going to Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.)

First practice in Edinburgh chapel on March 31

The concerts took place April 10-12th. The evening performances were held at the Stake Centers in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh, with afternoon performances at St. Paul's Cathedral in Dundee, and St. Giles in Edinburgh. There were 16 Elders and 16 Sister missionaries in the choir, with one of the Elders conducting (did a fabulous job). They had a 90 minute program, which consisted of a lot of music to learn. But they practiced devotedly in any spare time while still doing their regular missionary work, and performed magnificently! They were only able to come together once for a two-day practice, before meeting for their final practice and performance.

Warm up before performance at St. Paul's Cathedral in Dundee

Elder Urbieta playing the bagpipes on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral to welcome the public in

At first we were a little worried, because we had several family members who were coming to visit at the same time as the concerts, so were motivated to really get it organized in plenty of time.  We enlisted a missionary couple in Glasgow (The Brownings) and a missionary couple in Edinburgh (The Bodens) to help with assistance and chaperoning, and they were a huge help. A big plus was that we were able to be with the family most of the time, and they were able to attend the concert.

The choir performs in St. Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

The pieces performed were:

He is Risen                             

Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee         

His Hands                  

Long Ago, Within a Garden        

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing                   

Christ, the Lord, is Ris’n Today  

Amazing Grace                                                 

All In The April Evening          

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross   

I Have Not Seen Yet I Believe   

The Lord is My Shepherd   

I Know That My Redeemer Lives      

This is the Christ         

Hallelujah Chorus  from Handel's Messiah 

There were several  instrumental  accompaniments (flutes, violin, cello, harp, trumpets, bagpipes) and two short Easter video clips from the Church's website, and powerpoint slides of Easter pictures during the performance.  Also there was a good variety of choir, small groups and soloists.

The Hallelujah Chorus was amazing, particularly in the fabulous acoustics of the St. Giles Cathedral. During the program, tourists were milling around the cathedral, then drawn to the music; and by the end of the program, there was probably an audience of 200.  It was all just a marvelous experience!

Carma's collage of St. Giles pictures.  Maddie loved the bagpipes!