Our Story
I was in the middle of teaching my 3rd year of middle school and high school music in a small town in Idaho when our three-year-old son was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that would eventually change our lives forever. For the next year and half I continued to teach while traveling down to Primary Children's Hospital every weekend for an 8-hour treatment for my son. After a time, we realized that we needed to move closer to Salt Lake City, as he would need this treatment for the rest of his life. For some reason, my wife and I both felt strongly that I was not supposed to teach public school music anymore. I had to let go of my dream job, in a dream location, with the most wonderful people.
It was an amazing blessing and a miracle that I was hired as a seminary teacher for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Four years into my career as a seminary teacher, I was asked to take an assignment as the Choir Director for the Weber State Institute. This was a dream come true. During that time, I was also asked to direct President Nelson's 364 voice Hope of Israel Choir in 2018. This was the highlight of my seminary and choral conducting career. I knew at that point, if there were ever a chance to teach choir for the Church full time, I would take it.
I asked the Institute administration what would be required of me to do this full time, and was told I needed a Master's degree. So, I got one. :) After finishing my Master's degree at BYU in Religious Education, I was asked if I was ready to take over the choir. During that time, a job came up at Church Headquarters as a music publisher. At first, I thought nothing of it, but then it wouldn't leave my mind and heart. Could I possibly leave my dream job again, but this time for a desk job? My wife and I both felt strongly that we should, so I applied and got the job. I love my job as a music publisher! I have the opportunity to work on the new hymnbook and the youth music daily. It is incredible!
However, the hope, dream, and desire to conduct a youth Christian choir never left me. Due to a turn of events in my family's life, now is the time! I am so excited! For five years, I had been anticipating this day. My wife and I knew that we would need to surround ourselves with good people that would make this what it needed to be. We both felt that if we started building it, those people would come. ("Field of Dreams"?)
Sure enough, we put ourselves out there, and within 10 days the Lord sent the most incredible people into my life. Melinda, Scott, and Amy all approached me separately with a burning desire to help in this work. They all have the vision, the skillset, and the love in their hearts needed to help move this forward.
Again, if you love Jesus and have a desire to express that love through song, then come join us! We invite all, from any Faith to join in song to praise our Lord and Savior through powerful music! We may start small, but we will grow into a powerful force that will make a lasting impact.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Is this truly and inter-faith program?
A: Yes! Our hope is to bring children and youth from any denomination to sing together in praises to our Lord. I believe that we all have more in common, than not in common. We will focus on the common ground that we share. If you have questions, please reach out. Come one, come all, and come unto Christ!
Q: Where will we practice?
A: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1015 N Emerald Dr.
Layton, Utah 84040
Q: Are my kids required to audition for the choir?
A: Open enrollment without an audtion will close on March 20th. After that point enrollment will be by audtion only, and we will have a waiting list.
Q: Are my kids required to audition for the orchestra?
A: The preperatory orchestra does not require an audition, but just some experience. The Youth Orchestra will require an audtion.
Q: When will practices be?
A: Choir will be Mondays from 4-6.
Q: What if I can’t afford to be a part of this?
A: Sibling Discount: Each additional sibling will be 40% off the highest paying sibling. This discount is organization wide.
2. Fundraising: In just a few hours we can help you pay off 6 months of tuition.
Q: There are 7 major holidays on Mondays throughout the school year. Will we still be practicing on those holidays?
A: Yes, most of them. We will be taking longer breaks like Christmas and Spring Break. However, we will continue to rehearse on afternoons on most “Monday” holidays. We will be taking off Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Q: Will we continue to meet in the summer?
A: In the summer, we will be performing and recording our music videos! The official schedule is still up in the air, but we will be continuing Zion’s Youth Choir through the summer. We are still working out details, but we will be flexible with your schedules.
Q: When will we perform?
A: Our first performance is on May 17th and May 18th, with a dress rehersal on May 13th. However, even if your child cannot perform in that concert, we will be singing two of the songs from the concert for our music video, so they will still have an opportunity to perform. Also, while performance is a very important part of what we do in Zion’s Youth, it is not THE main reason we meet together. We meet together weekly to have experiences that will strengthen our testimonies through song and build musical skills to last a lifetime. This can happen whether or not you can make the performance. But I hope you all can. :)
In the summer we will do our music videos for Choir and Orchestra. It’s gonna be epic!
Our Christmas performance will be on December 7th at the Ogden Tabernacle. We hope to see you there!
At some point, I would like to take the choir on tour. However, we’ll see when we have the structure to do so. :) Hopefully not too far away. 2025?