Church Music - Hannah

At church, there has been no piano. Everyone has been singing acapella. The branch used to have a keyboard but it broke, and since their only pianist is currently on a mission, they hadn't replaced it.

But a couple weeks ago they bought a keyboard and now Julia and Caleb can play it at church. We've been able to keep it at our house so the kids could work on some hymns. They have had a great attitude about practicing, and have been quite self-motivated so far. Dylan might need a few more weeks, but if he would like to play he'll have that opportunity. He might be able to play in Primary too. Also, around the time we go home the branch's piano player should be coming back from his mission, so the timing should work well.

So yesterday was the first day Julia and Caleb were able to accompany the hymns. It was great to see them play and contribute in a very concrete, meaningful way. The plan is to learn a song each week to play in Sacrament Meeting. Sometimes it might be right hand only, but that's okay.

There were three sacrament hymns. One of the sister missionaries played the opening hymn, Julia played the Sacrament hymn, and Caleb played the closing hymn. 

Caleb played a hymn that is not in the English hymn book, called "Placentero nos es trabajar." During the chorus, there is a part where the sopranos and altos sing a short phrase, and the tenors and basses are supposed to echo it. However, when Caleb played, everyone sang the melody, and when he came in on the echo, everyone jumped too quickly to the next phrase, so it was all a little off. But he adjusted so that in the next verse, he didn't play the echo portion. That helped everyone stay together with the piano. Being flexible while accompanying is a tricky skill, and I was pleased with how well he did. And Julia did a great job too.

I was also able to play a violin solo, an arrangement of "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." Our friend Wayne, who has been in the branch for four years, said that was the first time he's heard a musical number. An investigator who was sitting next to Michael seemed excited about hearing a violin. He said that was the first time he's seen a violin in real life, and told me it was like Michael Landon (Pa from Little House on the Prairie :)). 

I had originally not planned to bring my violin to Costa Rica, but changed my mind after thinking music might be something I could contribute. Without being able to speak the language, I can still share music. So I'm glad I was able to participate in that way.