Back in Kentucky in 2005, Sister Margit McCabe had a problem. Her bishop was hoping to organize a ward choir, and as the music leader, Sister McCabe was coming up empty. Every time she tried to coordinate a time to practice, members ran into conflicts. Callings, family responsibilities, and the everyday routines of life were making it impossible to get a choir up and running. Sister McCabe had to get creative. What if they focused on the music and the Spirit that it brings rather than on fancy arrangements and practicing? And just like that, the idea for an “instant ward choir” was formed! Although a little nervous, the bishop gave her the green light to give it a try. It was a huge success!
Today, Sister McCabe and Sister Lane Antry have brought the instant ward choir to the Lake Toho Ward. Every third Sunday, any member or visitor that would like to sing the chosen hymn are welcomed to the stand to participate. Sister McCabe will give a little introduction to which hymn was chosen as the singers get settled. Sister McCabe will hold up her “cheat sheet” toward the choir members indicating who will be singing which verses (Men, Women, or Unison). And then the Spirit takes over. President Heber J. Grant stated that “The singing of the songs of Zion, though imperfectly, with the inspiration of God, will touch the hearts of the honest more effectively than if sung well without the Spirit of God” (Improvement Era, July 1901, 686). The inspiration of God has been the source of the instant ward choir’s success.
Sister McCabe and Sister Antry seek inspiration on which hymns to pick so that the Spirit will attend those participating. Both sisters emphasize the importance of inviting the Holy Ghost to attend the choir members during their performances. Sister Antry, recently called as the new Primary President in Lake Toho, said, “Music invites the Spirit like nothing else.” Sister McCabe shared, “The main goal has always been to bring the Spirit to the meeting so that whoever is singing feels the Spirit” as well as those in the congregation listening.
The choir’s first performance of 2023 was the third Sunday in January. Sister McCabe approached the stand following the second speaker and announced that the hymn chosen for this Sunday was “Our Savior’s Love.” She reiterated that all were welcome to come participate, regardless of singing ability or ward membership. She shared insight into the focus of each verse of the song as twenty-four members, some hesitantly, some with children in arms, but all desiring to praise the Lord, settled themselves on the stand. The Spirit that had already been attending the meeting was amplified as these good members raised their voices in testament of the Savior’s love.
As Elder J. Reuben Clark stated, “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer” (Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 111). Through the efforts of Sister McCabe, Sister Antry, and all those who participate in the instant ward choir, the Lake Toho Ward has been blessed with an added measure of the Spirit and a nearness to the Lord that we should all strive to achieve.
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