Joy to the World - A Christmas Musical Celebration

"The Central Oklahoma Stakes (44 congregations) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are hosting the 2012 Joy to the World Christmas Concert at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall. We are delighted to join voices with our neighbors of other faiths to present this Christmas musical celebration."

"The choir and orchestra are made up of people from all faiths in central Oklahoma. The core choir membership is drawn from the 44 Latter-day Saint congregations spread from Stillwater to Ardmore [162 miles] and from Woodward to Seminole [195 miles] with the nucleus in Oklahoma City and Norman."

"Invitations have also been sent to many choir directors in the metro area to attend and bring their best singers to join in this musical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ."

"We are also privileged to have very skilled instrumental musicians in the orchestra who have been selected to bring a high caliber of professional quality to this event."

"We appreciate the volunteer performers of the community who have dedicated their time and energies to this wonderful musical opportunity to create a combined performance under the direction of a world-class conductor."

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Craig Jessop as our guest conductor and are humbled that he is willing to work with us to make this great event a reality."

"Dr. Craig Jessop, Professor of Music, is the newly appointed and founding Dean for the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State University. These appointments follow Dr. Jessop’s distinguished tenure as music director of the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Head of the Department of Music at Utah State. He is the founder and Music Director of the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra and has served as the music director of the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival sponsored by the Weill Institute of Music at Carnegie Hall. Prior to his appointment with the Tabernacle Choir, Dr. Jessop was a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force music programs, where he served as director of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C. (1980-1987); as commander and conductor of the Band of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein, Germany (1987-1991); and as commander and conductor of the Air Combat Command Heartland of America Band (1991-1995). He has also been music director of the Maryland Choral Society, the Rhineland-Pfalz International Choir of Germany and the Omaha Symphonic Chorus."

"The musical program features soprano Lisa Howard and baritone Anthony Eversole"


"The musical program is as follows:

A Christmas Festival
Carol to the King
The First Nowell
I Saw Three Ships
Joy to the World
What Child Is This
Ding Dong Merrily on High
Farandole from L'Ariesienne Suite #2, IV - George Bizet
Poor Mary
Wexford Carol
Children, Go Where I Send Thee
White Christmas
Sleigh Ride
O, Come All Ye Faithful
Silent Night
Angels We Have Heard on High
Selections from "Messiah"
-Pifa - Pastoral Symphony
-There Were Shepherds Abiding
-And Lo, The Angel of the Lord
-And the Angel Said Unto Them
-And Suddenly There Was with the Angel
-Glory to God
-Hallelujah!"
http://joytotheworld2012.com/programs.html

Photos: Charles Wagoner


This is the majority of the concert (they had to cut out several of the songs [including one of Anthony's solo's] due to time constraints and permissions).


This is Anthony's solo.

I believe introductions are in order

I'd like to introduce you to a new member of our family: The beard.

Benjamin used to call it "my beardy thingy" when it was first growing because he looked like a boy who just hit puberty and wanted to show it off, but as you can see, it has sprinted into full maturity!

It was just meant to stick around for No Shave November... but I hope it takes up a permanent residence on my husband's handsome face!

Camping in the Wichitas

This weekend while Anthony was in Houston auditioning for the San Francisco Opera Megan, her friends Viola & Bonnie and her friend Sarah and I went camping in the Wichita Mountains.  Our campsite was right on the banks of the Quanah Parker Lake, and we had working toilets a short jaunt from camp.   All five people crammed into one tent, and apparently I snore.  Luckily I was not the only one.

First thing Saturday morning Megan, Bo and I watched the sunrise.

Deer

Bo & Megan 

 Bo decided she needed a swim.  

Crane 

Crane in flight

Viola, Sarah, Bonnie and Megan getting the fire started for breakfast.  We made biscuits and gravy in the dutch oven, and attempted to make pancakes which did not turn out, and bacon.  While I don't generally like breakfast time, I LOVE breakfast food.  I could eat it for every meal.

We drove around the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge for a while, then went to the Holy City of the Wichitas.

Bison roll in the dirt (wallow) to remove flies, tufts of molted fur and leave their scent in the wallow.  During mating season (rut), bull bison wallow to display their strength and vigor.

Look familiar?  It reminds me of the Christus statue at Temple Square in Salt Lake City 

 (This photo of Megan, Erica, me and Julie was not taken this trip, but I figured I'd put in in for remembrance sake)

  

 Eastern Collared Lizard 

 Prairie Dog 

On the way home we stopped at Meers and stuffed our faces.  All in all a good trip and a fun time had by all.  I'm super grateful to Megan for helping me learn how to use my camera properly.  No more shooting in Auto for me :)