Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Last Friday, July 22, 2016, I was privileged to play the piano for  Kiki Shakespeare Thompson, a talented soprano who has a degree in vocal performance, and is a beloved vocal teacher. and  Connor Lee, a very talented young tenor, who will be going to BYU this fall to be in their opera program. It was done at the Friday noon concert at Town and Country Bank here in St. George, and they  always put numbers there on youtube.com.   I'm sure you would enjoy listening to any or all of these.  I especially was thrilled to accompani Kiki on the aria from Madame Butterfly, by Puccini, which is # 7 on this list.  My mother, Ruth Allen Miles, was a gifted soprano in operas in the 1920s at Dixie College, and sang that same solo.  I had never accompanied anyone on that beautiful song.  My mother also sang with my father Orson Pratt Miles many times in duets.  She sang solos, and in a ladies trio throughout her life.  You can read about he...

This past week on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, there was a "Face to Face" program for the youth, with the Piano Guys!  For those who don't know, this is the second in a series, with youth sending in questions about life and their testimonies, and the Gospel, and they are answered by someone.  The one a few months ago, was with Elder David L. Bednar.  On Wednesday, the next day, Jon Schmidt, the piano player, gave a fireside in the St. George Tabernacle.  I was there, and he was amazing. All ages will enjoy this!  The Face to Face with the Piano Guys ABOUT THE PIANO GUYS The Piano Guys  are a musical group consisting of Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, Paul Anderson, and Al van der Beek. They say they’re just bunch of ordinary guys who came together with the same intrinsic purpose: to make a positive impact in the lives of people all over the world through music videos. They became a YouTube sensation with more than 709 million total views. Th...

This year we will study the teachings of President Joseph Fielding Smith.  I remember President Joseph Fielding Smith when he was an apostle.  We had the vague impression that he was very strict, and that he would be that way if he became the Prophet.  NOT SO!  He was so kind, and perhaps the reason we misunderstood him was that he was so obedient, it seemed unbelieveable.  I really enjoyed the article about him in the new January 2014 Ensign.  I'll quote a bit from it: When 33-year-old Joseph Fielding Smith entered the Salt Lake Tabernacle on April 6, 1910, to attend general conference, an usher said to him, “Well Joseph, who is the new apostle to be?” “I don’t know,” replied Joseph. “But it won’t be you and it won’t be me!”   As the names of the Twelve Apostles were being read for a sustaining vote, Joseph suddenly received an impression that his name might be the next one mentioned. It was, and he was then sustained as the 12th man in t...

I just found this on facebook, and watched and listened to this on youtube.  I think you'll enjoy it!  (You need to copy and paste the link below.) Hi! My name is Bryce Romney and I'm in a group from BYU called Vocal Point as part of the marketing committee. We were International Collegiate A Cappella champions in 2006 and we placed in the top 5 in season 3 of NBC's The Sing Off. We are all returned missionaries and active members of the church. We strive to do missionary work using our talents, and one of the ways we do that is by singing. This music video that we created is our way of spreading hope in Christ this Christmas season. I am writing in hopes that you will post this music video. It is a message of hope that comes through Christ even in the darkest of times. We know that the message and song are powerful and can help many people, just as creating this video has helped us. Thanks so much for your support! We hope this song can bless the lives of many people....