The Chauntenette's

The Chauntenette Women's Chorus is from Orem, Utah. This organization is 66 years old. They hold three performances each year. These performances include a performance of Sacred Music, a performance of Popular Music and a performance of Christmas Music. Every other year they do a performing tour. They've performed from Independence Hall to Yellowstone Lodge.

Retired Colonel Hughes in the Owingsville Ward (congregation) has a daughter who used to sing with this group of ladies. He received notice that this year the Chauntenette's would be touring in Tennessee and Kentucky. They indicated to him they would be performing in Nashville on a Saturday. They further indicated they would be willing to perform the next day, Sunday, in the evening between their Nashville engagement and one in New Albany, Indiana on their way home. Arrangements were made and the date of Sunday, June 10th at 7pm was set for the Chauntenette Women's Chorus to perform for us.

Sunday I reminded Papa of this performance. He was very interested in attending. So I arranged for Claude and me to pick him up and take him with us.

It was a totally delightful experience. They performed music from their sacred selection.

Two of the highlights for me were, first, "The Lord's Prayer". The accompanist for the group, Irene Jenkins, played the organ and her hubby, Terry, played the piano. It was a most moving duet. The next to last piece was titled "Savior". Immediately after this number I looked at Claude and found him looking at me. We smiled at each other and both said, "That was superb." This one seemed to be acknowledged as a favorite by many after the program was complete. The sister that leads our stake choirs was getting that message from many of us for future use. She already had it starred on her program to find the music.

I found myself looking at the choir seats full of ladies and thinking, "That lady looks familiar to me." Of course, I didn't know any of them. But still, they were strangely familiar. Then it dawned on me...they looked like ladies I do really know. It was an interesting feeling to realize how similar we all are even when we don't know each other and live thousands of miles apart. Sort of a comforting kind of feeling.

They were all mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Most had a few years on them. Their bodies showed a lifetime of child-bearing and rearing, work and play. But they still all loved to use the talent with which they were blessed. How nice it was to find that you can keep using that talent.

I am truly happy these ladies decided they could stop in Lexington and share their talents with us.