THE CONCERT!!

There are no words to describe how awesome this past weekend was.  If you're just tuning in, the long and the short of it is that a hymn I arranged, "The Lord is My Light" received Special Recognition in the 2012 LDS Church Music Contest.  It was featured in a concert in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City this past Friday and will soon be published on the Church's music website. 

I wasn't about to miss that concert!  So my friend Dean Wendel and I hopped on an airplane Thursday night and had ourselves quite the parTAY!  Let's just take a peek at a few of my favorite photos:

When I picked up Dean for the airport, she opened the door and shot this photo at the same time...SURPRISE!

Our lovely friend, Linda Brown drove us to the airport...that was a blast...THANK YOU, LINDA!

At Temple Square to watch the MoTab...OK FINE, we hit the City Creek Mall first!

Watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearse...WOW!  So you know, someday I WILL sing with that choir...

Friday night at the Blue Lemon across from Temple Square, ready to go to the concert!  Dean and I met up with more friends who made the trek out for the big event.  From left: Shannon Nightingale, Carmen Mansfield, Cheryl Polson, Caitlyn Polson, and Nick Polson

More of my besties who made the trip out: (from left) Me, Sadie Bergstrom, Dean Wendel, and Meghan Goodfellow

On our way over to the Assembly Hall.  It's been over a year since I've seen Sadie...it's time you move back now!

Can you tell I feel like throwing up right about now?

Relief Society Choir from the Fruit Heights Utah Stake warming up before the concert

I got to sit in the RESERVED section with the other composers.  This is Rachel Mecham Goates (on right) and her fabulous friend.  Rachel's daughter, Emily Goates wrote an amazing arrangement of "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days," sung by a choir of Young Women.

Anna Molgard, who composed "Simple Joy"...AMAZING!

GUESS WHO?!?!

I'll give you a hint...she wrote "I Love to See the Temple" and "A Child's Prayer".

Janice Kapp Perry, I want to be just like you when if I grow up!

I hope to see you ladies again next year!

Remember Rebecca Brown Wright?  She made it down for the concert too!  (Her mom was the one who drove us to the airport, BTW...)

Dana Glenn, one of our very favorite babysitters from years gone by...SO great to see you again!

More lovelies!

After-Party at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building...at the top floor...check out the view!

The After-AFTER-Party...we found an empty chapel in the building and had an impromptu concert with Bill Hatch!

Simply GAWGEOUS!

This concert was the most amazing, inspiring, exciting experience of my musical journey, to date.  I can't wait to see what unfolds in the future!