Eight members of the BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir, recently returned from a 21-day tour of China and Mongolia, were featured on the program of the last BYU-Hawaii Women’s Organization luncheon for the 2006-2007 year.
All spoke of the love they felt within the choir. Hannah Speidel, a senior from Colorado majoring in Music and Hospitality and Tourism, thought of the choir as a “Zionistic people”, a real change from how she said she saw the choir at the beginning of fall semester.
Spiritually preparation was equally as important to the choir as musical preparation. “If we weren’t unified as a choir, we wouldn’t accomplish what we needed to do”, commented Monica Fiala, a junior from Virginia in Vocal Studies. Choir members committed to reading The Book of Mormon before they left and held weekly devotionals.
Students said this preparation made it possible to “let things go”, such as Fiala’s stolen wallet, unjust accusations, and the rigors of an ambitious travel schedule.
Kristi Dudoit, a senior in Vocal Studies from Washington state, said “The choir helped me to have faith in people my own age. The choir members didn’t get down when things were tough.”
Tyler Chin, a junior from Malaysia in Vocal Studies & Theatre, spoke of the support he received through a priesthood blessing when he got sick, and of the warmth and love of choir members when he was able to rejoin them.
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BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir members shared tour experiences at the Women's Organization luncheon, Friday, 2 June. Left to right (back row): Kristi Dudoit, Hannah Speidel, Monica Fiala, Ryan Martz; (front row): John & Emiko Dodson, Teren Taniuchi, Isawan (Ice) Chaichana, and Tyler Chin. |
The first stop on the tour was in Urumqi, China. Emiko Dodson, a senior from Japan majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, spoke of the importance of getting to know people. “I didn’t know any Uygur people, so I didn’t love them,” said Dodson. She knows and loves some now. “I feel [Heavenly Father] has been preparing me for this trip all my life and I didn’t know,” said Dodson.
Her husband, John, was ready to send his wife off on the tour by herself, but after a series of unexpected events, in January 2007 he was also able to join the choir. “We don’t always know where Heavenly Father wants us to be,” said John. “I thought of China as ‘this big Communist country,’ but found the people wonderful and loving.”
“I met Sunny in Urumqi” said Speidel, “and it felt like we were friends in the preexistence.” Chin told how several choir members were held up at airport immigration as they entered Mongolia, but a group of Mongolian saints stayed late at the airport to welcome them.
This was Ryan Martz’ first opportunity to be in a choir. Even though the gospel couldn’t be communicated through language, “the love of God was felt through music,” he said.
Martz encouraged those listening to allow the Lord to use them as his tools. “Drop away all your fears. The Lord will lead you to a place you never thought imaginable.”
“I felt the spirit of our singing, but I didn’t realize what a difference we made to those listening”, said Teren Taniuchi, a junior from Japan majoring in EXS-Exercise Science. The first concert in Urumqi was in a new gym packed with 5,000 people. The sound crew was concerned that problems with setting up the untested sound system would mar the performance.
The Concert Choir shared the stage with an Urumqi choir and dancers. “After the concert,” said Taniuchi, “one of dancers held his chest and said, ‘I felt something. I don’t know what it is, but it was something.’ I wanted to tell him [what that “something” was].” Because of Chinese government restrictions, choir members were not allowed to speak about the Church, even if someone asked a question. A girl spoke to Taniuchi in Japanese after another concert and said, “I felt like you guys opened my heart.”
Jennifer Lane, president of the Women’s Organization for the past two years, recognized those who have worked with her, and introduced the new officers for 2007-2008.
Women’s Organization officers for the 2006-2007 were president, Jennifer Lane; first vice president, Mirian Martins; second vice president, Stacy McCarrey; secretary, Anna Kaanga, and treasurer, Ann Allred.
These officers were supported this year by many committee chairs who included: Valarie Sudlow, luncheon committee; Beth Tueller, nursery committee; Doris Nilson, bake sale committee; Donnette Tew, table decorations committee; Donna Jamie, Sub for Santa committee; and Lisa Wagner, aloha committee.
New officers for the 2007-2008 year are: president, Mirian Martins; first vice president, LeeAnn Kinghorn; second vice president, Doris Nilson; secretary, Karen Thompson; and treasurer, Jamie Fife.
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| BYU-Hawaii Women's Organization officers 2007-2008 |
The BYUH Women's Organization is a service-oriented institution seeking to provide intellectual, cultural and social opportunities for its members and to promote a spirit of harmony and unity among the members of the university and the community.
“Every year we raise funds to provide book scholarships for qualified BYUH students,” said new president, Mirian Martins. “We also hope to organize service opportunities to benefit our community.” The organization’s theme for 2007-08 will be "Holding Hands Around the World".
