Someday

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Lindy Kerby

A couple weeks ago, I wrote in my post, “I figured someday I would do that, but someday seemed so far away.” That reminded me of a song that I had written several years ago. Immediately I knew what I wanted my next video to be about. Here is the video that I have been working on for the last two weeks:

It’s a music video of a song that I wrote several times over the last 10 years. It was an ideal one to start out with because I had already played around with an accompaniment for it. I started writing it a long time ago, and it’s evolved many times into something different. It was even one of the songs that made it into my musical- the first time it was performed. Since then, I’ve rewritten the musical (without it) but I feel like it’s been given new life now!

It has a great message- one that I have to continually remember over and over again- but so much of life and about being a mother is how we look at things. It’s important to enjoy them all, and so much of it is a decision and a choice!

I also had a lot of fun dressing up and re learning how to do a bunch of things– it was quite a little bit of work. I hope you’ll enjoy it – and share it! =)

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First Steps…

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Lindy Kerby

This last week has been a week of miracles. I’ve had things come together in ways I never would have expected.

Being a person with many hobbies and interests, it’s sometimes hard to pick just one thing to pursue. As much as I love music, I also love acting, performing, dancing, singing, animating, creating special effects, and a host of other things. This week, in making a music video, I was able to participate in many of the activities that I enjoy.

It was also a group effort. My kids helped as actors, camera people, and in creating some of the set and backgrounds. We had a lot of fun. I imagine this is just the first of many music videos that I’d love to make. It isn’t professional, but I don’t think it has to be. I’ve decided to stop letting fear keep me from what I know will be one of the most rewarding  experiences I’ll have.

My testimony that God knows each of us and that we each have a purpose is also stronger than ever. I feel like God gave me all these desires in my heart for a reason, and now I’m finally learning why. I really do want to make a difference. I want to help others unlock their fears and do what they feel inspired to do. Half the time, it’s just taking that first step. I’m taking mine…. and so far, I’m loving it!!!

p.s. I’ll be posting my new Music Video: “Someday” real soon!

 

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Source of Inspiration

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Lindy Kerby

I love videos. I love how you can watch a video and in that short amount of time, you can feel like you know somebody. I’ve always wanted to incorporate inspirational videos in my website. I’ve wanted to make inspirational music, and create the videos to go along with them. I want to inspire hope and help people to want to fulfill their own missions. I figured someday I would do that, but someday seemed so far away.

There are so many reasons why I haven’t done it yet- my music isn’t orchestrated the way I want, my equipment to video record is pretty lacking, my website isn’t set up right, I don’t know what I’m doing, etc… This year, I feel like Heavenly Father has given me a little push- it’s time. Time to not be so worried about what other people will think, and time to do what I’ve always wanted to do.

Getting the go ahead from Him is really important. With His approval, I know I can rely totally on Him for the help I’ll need. It’s also pretty neat to look back at the last couple of years and see how He’s been preparing me to be able to do this.

My whole goal last year was to “Be Real”, to find peace with myself and not subject myself to everyone else’s expectations. I don’t think I could do this if it wasn’t for that goal. I feel so blessed to have a knowledge of the gospel, and I feel a definite responsibility to share it. I think I’ll enjoy finding creative ways to do that. This first video hopefully shares some of that-

Enjoy!

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Goals

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Lindy Kerby

I know I talk a lot about goals on this blog– but that’s because I just love them so much! I’m an idea person– I get tons of ideas, but usually the only ones I carry out- are the ones I’ve set as goals. This makes my goal setting for the year extremely important to me. By looking at what I’ve set for the year, I kind of get a flavor for what the year will be like. I know where I want to spend my free time.

This last week my baby (3) started preschool. It’s the first time in 17 1/2 years that I have had all my kids in school. Granted it’s only for a couple hours, two times a week, but I’m excited to see what I can do with the time.

This year, I am really excited about my goals. In addition to learning orchestration and working on my piano CD, I’m going to be making some videos. I’m not sure yet how often I’ll post them- the 2nd one is almost done- but they’re kind of fun, and a chance to dabble with something I’m never done before.

I’m also writing a song for the mutual theme 2012. I wasn’t planning to, but it’s just been coming, so I had to start writing it down. That’s what my first real video is about– well that and a time that the music -didn’t just come… maybe those of you that read my blog will remember that time– my kids helped reenact that day- they had fun.

Okay well that’s the teaser. Hopefully I’ll get it posted soon!

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A New Year’s Resolution

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Lindy Kerby

I am starting a new year’s resolution this year that is kind of scary, totally new, and can involve you! Watch the video below to see what I’m going to do!

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Joy to the World

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Lindy Kerby

Our Christmas Cantata was amazing. I’m kind of sad to have it be all over!

We met Christmas morning and had a short practice right before the meeting. I was grateful for the practice- especially for “Joy to the World”. I’d been practicing singing with the choir, but I hadn’t practiced much turned around facing the Congregation. It was easy to forget when we were slowing down the counts at the end of some of the verses, and waiting for the intermediate music to play! Thankfully for the performance, I didn’t make any mistakes.

The choir sounded wonderful. It started out with “Far, Far Away”, a variation of the song, “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains”, and then we sang, “Be it Unto Us”. I hadn’t expected to get emotional on this song, but I did. A couple of the choir members told me that they had to stop watching me, because they were afraid they might start crying too!

After a congregational hymn, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, we sang “Wise Men Still Seek Him”. This has always been such a touching song, and again I got a little emotional. I was really wondering how I was going to turn around and be able to lead “Joy to the World” without crying!

Thankfully, it worked out fine, because as the congregation stood to sing, I realized that my organist couldn’t see me with the bishopric in the way! I tried to find a different spot, more in the middle to stand, but it was still difficult for her to see me. I finally moved to the far right, and had to laugh when I almost couldn’t see the pianist anymore! With one more funny hop onto a step so that the Congregation could see me from way in the back, there was enough laughter, that I wasn’t too worried about crying anymore.

The highlight of the whole program was singing “Joy to the World”. This was the chance for the Congregation to join with the choir in praising the Lord, all set to a powerful piano/organ accompaniment. I loved the power and the spirit that I felt as we sang. It wasn’t exactly like the version that I can envision (because it would be fully orchestrated!), but the power and feeling were there, and it was absolutely wonderful. I wish I could have recorded it, but I don’t think any recording could have captured the feeling that was there.

That was one of my last goals for the year- to write an arrangement of “Joy to the World”. I can’t tell you how cool it is to have worked so hard on this goal, and have it turn out so well. This year my main goal is just to learn orchestration. I’ve already set up my office better, and started listening to lots of orchestral music. I’m thinking about making some videos of my progress- but you can’t laugh — okay! =)

I hope everyone is enjoying these last few days of the year. It’s been a wonderful year. I love looking forward to what a new year will bring. What will YOU be doing this next year? The first step in helping your dreams come true- is dreaming big- and sharing them! Do you want to know what my biggest dream is right now? It’s to lead the Tabernacle Choir & Congregation & Temple Square Orchestra singing my version of “Joy to the World”. Okay that was kind of scary to say out loud… but then that’s how dreams happen, right?

Happy New Year! =)

 

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A fun surprise

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Lindy Kerby

Last night, our choir got to perform as part of a musical fireside. Each of the different church groups in our area (wards) got together and sang one song that they were preparing for their Christmas program. Between each song, is a congregational hymn, which allows the audience to sing, while the next choir is preparing for their turn to sing. It has been a fantastic tradition, which I have really enjoyed.

This year, we chose to sing, “Holy Little Lamb” for our choir song. It’s one of the songs that we weren’t going to have time to do on Christmas morning. I was excited to still be able to share it. The choir did wonderful. We have such a fantastic choir this year, with about 25 members, even men and women ratio. It’s truly a pleasure and an honor to get to lead them.

A couple of songs after we sang, was a very familiar song. The title wasn’t written on the program right, so I didn’t recognize it right away. It ended up being my SAB arrangement of “Wise Men Still Seek Him”. It was very cool to hear it sung by a different choir.

Our choir has also been preparing “Wise Men Still Seek Him” to sing for our Christmas program, though the SATB version. How funny it was to hear some of the reactions from members of the choir that didn’t know the music was available on the Internet. “How did they get it?!” “I wonder if they just saw a copy laying around and decided to use it…” I had to laugh just a little- no, they probably just downloaded it from the internet…

And I’m so glad! It’s why I do what I do. I love the thought that someone else- wherever else, might be singing and performing songs that I composed in my little living room…  and even cooler when I get to hear it live! What a treat!

 

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The Living Christ

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Lindy Kerby

This week I got to perform a couple of my Christmas songs, with a good friend of mine, Jennifer Griffiths. Jenn is a wonderful singer/songwriter and friend, and just happens to be Ms. Utah Continental. If you get a stereotypical vision of what she must be like- she would probably surprise you. I have been so impressed with her “Love Yourself” platform, and redefining what beauty is… this year she set a goal to think of 365 reasons why she is beautiful– and none of them have anything to do with an outward beauty. Truly she is inspiring- and if anyone is in need of a little different perspective on beauty- lead them over to her website at: http://www.theloveyourselfdare.com/. She is truly an inspiring women!

At any rate, I picked my song, “If I’d Been There” to sing, as well as a new song that I was writing at the time based on “The Living Christ“ document. I have been trying to learn the guitar for some time now (many of you know!) and I took the opportunity to set that as a goal, to try and accompany myself by then on the guitar!

The weekend before the performance, Jenn and I got together and ran through the songs that we were going to sing. I thought I’d be able to play both of them. I could play “If I’d Been There” alright, but “The Living Christ”, was pretty laughable! I was shaking so much, I couldn’t even hold the guitar! I decided that it just wouldn’t be the smartest thing to try and perform that way. So with only 2 days until our performance, I spent hours putting together a backtrack of recorded music that I could sing it to. It worked. Best of all, I played my other song alright still, and I really do feel like I can say, “I can play the guitar!” Cool, huh!

Another cool thing- the rest of the week- I finished up my “Joy to the World” arrangement. After our ward Christmas breakfast, my good friend Teri and I went into the chapel, and while Teri played the organ part, I played the piano part, and imagined how it would sound. Today our choir sang through the vocal arrangement for the first time– it is going to be so amazing! I’m so excited! There’s really no way to fully envision how it will sound until you have the whole congregation singing with the choir, the organ and the piano– wow! (And of course someday it will also be fully orchestrated!) I’ll try to post the arrangement soon.

Though I don’t have sheet music done for “The Living Christ” (or a recording) I wanted to at least share the words to my newest song, “The Living Christ”.

So profound an influence in this world he helped create
though sinless, he was baptized for our sake
He walked the roads of Palestine
helping blind men see
He taught the truths of eternity

He’s the redeemer of the world
He’s the king, and Lord of Lords
someday we’ll sing with Him
Our knees will bend to Him!

Chorus
For He is the Living Christ
He is the light that shows the way
He’s the Father’s Begotten Son
the only one who truly saves
His life did not begin in Bethlehem
or conclude on Calvary
He rose from the grave
and He is living still today

He appeared to many loved ones
and His sheep of other folds
and to Joseph Smith, in our time, as foretold
With His eyes described as fire,
His brightness brighter than the sun
He’s declared His Father’s will has been done

He’s the redeemer of the world
He’s the King and Lord of Lords
Someday we’ll sing with Him
Our knees will bend to Him!

Chorus

He healed the sick
He takes my pain
He is my life
He is unchanged!

Chorus

He is the Living Christ
and He still lives!

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Being Thankful

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Lindy Kerby

One month left to go in the year. I’d say that it’s gone by too fast, but truthfully, I can’t.

This year, my biggest goal was to “be real”. Because of that, I’ve done a lot of “living” this year. I’ve tried to live more “in the moment”, and to enjoy the journey. I have. It’s probably been one of the best years of my life. I know I will probably look back at this year as a turning point for me.

Yes, I still have trials. No, things really haven’t changed that much around me– but I have. I no longer feel trapped by other’s expectations of me. I no longer feel utterly discouraged when I can’t make others happy. I learned that I can choose to be happy, and that I actually have a lot of agency in determining TO be happy. I am choosing to be happy now- and forever!

As for my goals, I got most of them done. I will be posting my cantata songs probably this week. I spent the last couple of weeks working on “Joy to the World”. It is beautiful. I doubt I will be able to sing through it during our performance without crying. Right now it is just a combination of choir and piano with congregation and organ. Together it will have the fulness I can envision. I have also been playing with some orchestration, and I just might add some of those ideas to my website, so that someday, somewhere somebody will perform it and it will be amazing.

Today a lady whom I love very much, performed a cello solo with piano as a musical number in church today. She felt like she hadn’t done as good of a job as she could have, and wished she had done better. I told her that I was inspired by her performance. I told her that most people probably didn’t even know, and that it was a wonderful performance. I am always so grateful for anyone that shares their talents -especially when it’s not something their comfortable with. It always blesses! I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone and do something new. I don’t know if anyone else always appreciates it- but I’ve learned something from it every time.

I just wanted to share a few of my thoughts. This probably seems a little random, but that’s okay- that’s kind of how I am sometimes. I’m excited about Christmas this year… I feel like I’ve been looking forward to it for the entire year! I got all of my goals done this year, except for my piano CD- which is going to be the most awesome CD ever– next year maybe…, and best of all, I am just so incredibly grateful for a new purpose and mission in my life. I feel like because I have been more real with myself, God has helped me to see a little more clearly some of the areas that I can help others in, and I am so grateful for that. I love to encourage others and to inspire them to be their best selves. I truly believe that our hardest trials in life have purpose and meaning, and can be turned to the good of ourselves and to others. It has been an incredible year.

 

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We Believe

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Lindy Kerby

Yesterday was our ward’s “Young Women in Excellence” night. The young women sang, “We Believe”, and it turned out so beautiful. One of the leaders recorded it, so I’m hoping I’ll get to post it! They also sang, “Beautiful to Him” written by Tyler Castleton and Staci Peters. It turned out so well. I was so grateful to have the chance to help direct and lead those beautiful young women. It is amazing how beautiful they can be when they recognize their beauty and potential within. We have the best young women in the whole world! =)

 

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