Sing and Be Joyful
About the Song
Our ward was assigned to provide music for an upcoming Stake Conference, and I was asked to compose a choir number for the occasion. We didn’t yet know if there was a particular theme for the conference, so I decided I would write something that would be suitable regardless of the theme. And what better topic is there for a choir than the joy of using our voices to sing praises to the Lord? Hence the SATB anthem Sing and Be Joyful, 1989. We happened to have a visiting authority at the conference, Elder Spencer J. Condie, who absolutely raved about the hymn. I felt complemented, but at the same time a little embarrassed to be put in the spotlight. He even requested a copy of the music that he said he was going to give to the president of the Tabernacle Choir. Nothing ever came of it, but I have always loved the music and the message of this anthem.