In 2016, my family and I were blessed to be a part of the 2016 opening season the the Savior of the World in the Far West Stake of Far West Missouri.

We enjoyed serving so much that we returned this 2017 season  with my family and we are loving being a part of it this year as well.

During the first season, I served as the Orchestra Director, Angel Choir member (soprano), Gloria Angel (soprano), and Alleluia woman (descant) and behind the scenes under study for ‘Elizabeth’, Zachariahs wife.

I could do all these things because the orchestra was not yet being integrated with the production due the lack of an orchestra pit at the venue.  I was to establish the orchestra for continuance in later years.  We did perform for prelude and intermission.

My youngest daughter served as an Angel Choir member and Gloria Angel – as a soprano and my youngest son performed as the understudy to Nathan the Shepherd boy. The picture below shows him and his red hair just to the right of Mary and Joseph.
He only performed for the Matinee, but still he had an awesome time!

The production was a HUGE undertaking and there was a great deal of learning curve to be had.  This year the orchestra is part of the production, I am in the production, so there is a different orchestra director this year.

The videos below of the 2016 season have the main Nathan boy performing.
It also has the orchestra performing for both the prelude and for intermission.
The orchestra members were either dusting off their instruments after years of sleep or volunteering their efforts from neighboring orchestras.  One orchestra member drove 2.5 hours one-way to be a part of the production. I was living my dream – to conduct – and having the time of my life!
So, while you listen, remember the orchestra, was new, I was new and the venue was a high school stage, so the acoustics were seriously lacking, but the love for music and serving the Lord was very much prevalent:

Savior of the World – Far West Stake of Missouri Part 1 Prelude to end of First Act:

Savior of the World – Far West Stake of Missouri Part 2 Intermission to end of Second Act and Finale:

This year we are performing in the Historic Richmond Theatre in Richmond Missouri.
It’s not too late to get tickets for this week’s performance, but if you miss it – there will be next year.  🙂