Air Force Academy LDS Cadet Choir blends song, testimony
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Performing in the Salt Lake area during President's Day weekend in February has become a traditional tour for the United States Air Force Academy LDS Cadet Choir.
The choir, formed about 10 years ago at the suggestion of an Air Force chaplain, meets weekly to sing spiritual and patriotic songs. They are often invited to sing in the Colorado Springs, Colo., area for sacrament meetings, stake conferences and firesides.
Occasionally, they perform outside the area by traveling to BYU-Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada and parts of Colorado.
Standing in front of the Joseph Smith monument in the lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the choir sang, "Praise to the Man" and "Joseph's First Prayer," among other selections.
The 34-member choir, including 16 returned missionares, blended their voices as they sang their testimony of the Restoration. A majority of the choir cadets desire to pursue graduate degrees.
Speaking in one of the firesides held in the Salt Lake City area, Second Classman Aaron Barrow of Sanford, N.C., said, "God gives us challenges that, without His help, are impossible to overcome. If there are things you don't think you can do, the Lord will help you," he said, sharing a personal experience.
"I set a goal to learn all the discussions in Chinese while at the Missionary Training Center," he said. With the Lord's help, Aaron said, he accomplished his goal.
"These cadets are amazing," said Chris Brady, a former BYU Young Ambassador and All-American College Singer for Disney and now civilian dentist in Colorado Springs, who directs the choir.
— Terri Potts Smith
