Serve the Lord With Gladness
- Rebecca Gordon-Ross
- Oct 28, 2024
- 3 min read
The Sun Has Set On The Mississippi
The fall cast of the Young Performing Missionaries [YPMs], had their final curtain call for the season of Sunset on the Mississippi. The current cast has been here in Nauvoo since the end of July, and they've been a delight to have here in our beautiful city praising His name in song. Several members of the NDP, including this author, have started putting together audition tapes to be YPMs next season.
These amazing young performers put everything they had into their performances and their testimonies can be felt during every performance, from singing "Abide with Me" and other church hymns, to "Skip to my Lou" and "Bog down in the Valley". There's no truer representation of "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" (Psalm 100:1) than these dedicated performers, and we will miss them greatly. They've become our friends, and we will be cheering them on as they move on from here and go on to do what I'm sure will be amazing things.
Beautifying "The City Beautiful"
At the beginning of the week, Nauvoo was overrun by Mission Presidents from the surrounding areas to receive training from General Authorities.
As part of getting ready for that, some of our NDP students participated in an unofficial service project of pulling weeds and cleaning up the Women's Garden outside the Nauvoo Visitor's Center.
Introducing the newest member of the NDP staff: Gerald Beau Mulholland (Mullo for short)! He is the unofficial mascot for the NDP and the cutest thing here. We will update you with his adventures doing his best to keep up with our YSAs as they explore Nauvoo and the surrounding areas. (Here he is at NDP Headquarters and in a photo shoot with NDP members.)
Fall Family Fun
On Saturday (October 19th), the Nauvoo Community Orchestra had its "Fall Family Fun" concert at the Nauvoo Discovery Clubhouse at 7 pm. The concert included:
Jupiter, from "The Planets" by Gustav Holst, arr. by Phillip M. Hash ed. J. Cameron Law
Star Wars (main theme) by John Williams, arr. Charles Sayre
James Bond Theme by Monty Norman, arr. Ralph Ford
Der Spiegel (The Mirror) Duet attrib. to W. A. Mozart
Several selections from Fiddler on the Roof, including Tradition, Matchmaker, If I Were a Rich Man, and Far from the Home I Love
Josh Groban Gold, arr. Jerry Brubaker
The Greatest Showman (featuring The Greatest Show, A Million Dreams, Come Alive, Rewrite the Stars, and This Is Me), arr. Sean O'Loughlin
Pirates of the Caribbean Medley by Klaus Badelt, arr. Ted Ricketts
The chapel was full-to-bursting of audience members who came to support the orchestra and enjoy the music they provided. I was lucky enough to be able to play in the orchestra, and I've got to say, I haven't played in almost 4 years, and I've missed this. My arms are still sore from being out of practice holding my instrument aloft while playing, but it was worth it. Anyone who has musical ability should check out the orchestra, Laurie puts an amazing program together every time, and while the ability level varies, we all have a good time (and we could use the numbers). Who knows? We might outgrow the NDP clubhouse and relocate to a bigger venue, which would be very cool.
Their next concert is December 14th, combined with the Nauvoo Community Choir, and they'll be performing Handel's Messiah. Be there.
The Nauvoo Discovery Program, 1110 Ripley Street, PO Box 113, Nauvoo, Illinois 62354. Contact Us: 1-800-527-7185, nauvoodiscovery.com, admissions@nauvoodiscovery.com.
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