“We just had so much fun with them,” says Justin. Jenny’s cousin, Richard Tolbert, had arranged a suite of primary songs and they all thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try and record them. In 2011, Haleigh Vance (a violinist in the quartet and a long-time childhood friend of Jenny’s) approached the Lewis’ about recording an album together. “This just felt so familiar and so right, but here it was in words from an Apostle! We have spent a lot of time talking about it, and it has been the inspiration for a lot that we do.” Packer, “The Arts and The Spirit of the Lord.” In it Packer talks at length about our talents in the arts being true gifts and how they are given to us to build the Kingdom. David Dalton at BYU) included a talk by Boyd K. Serve with our music from very early on.” (I detailed this in my first article that is included as a link at the bottom.) Then a wedding gift in the form of a book from Jenny’s viola teacher (Dr.
Where did this drive come from? Justin elaborates, “We were both raised in the Church and taught to Oh, what a healing balm and a day-lifter beautiful music given as a gift can be, and oh, what opportunities arise for artists when a passion for sharing and building Zion is the foundation for performing whenever possible.
CHILDRENS SONGBOOK LDS PROFESSIONAL
The ultimate, near celestial experience, of hearing them with Primary music was at the funeral for the unexpected death of a toddler where they joined their gifts with another professional string musician in our ward and played “Jesus Wants Me for A Sunbeam” in a tender, classical arrangement that was arranged by Justin for the occasion. I’ll never forget how the entire congregation, especially small children, hushed when Justin and/or Jenny walked up to play because not only was it a privilege to listen, but the expression of love and devotion on their faces is also a gift. Even for non-musicians it was always exciting and amazing to hear what they could do with a Primary song that was already indelibly printed in your heart and mind. We experienced it most often, however, with special arrangements of Primary songs for children’s baptisms, the annual Primary musical program, or to help showcase a budding musician by doing a duet of a Primary Song in Sacrament Meeting. For the years they were with us, it was always within their intrinsic kindly nature and their artistic passion to share their musical gifts whenever possible with any age group. I am blessed to be personally well-acquainted with them as they lived in my Ward (The Springfield Ward of the Annandale Virginia Stake where their two little boys were born) until their move to Yorktown shortly after the Tabernacle Choir performance. Oh, and in their spare time they also created a Youtube video of the family and their quartet that captures their love of service through music and deed that will surely go viral. “Walk Beside Me- A Classical Take on LDS Children’s Favorites” was released on Septemand was in the top three best-selling CDs at Deseret Book within the first week. They’ve purchased and renovated a lovely home, had a darling new baby girl (Cora Jade, better known as “Juicy” who is now 9 months) started their sons Jackson (age 4) on the cello and Josiah (age 3) on the viola, and recorded their first CD through Deseret Book with the Capitol String Quartet. It’s been a busy 20 months since then! His wife Jenny (29) has retired her military career as a violist in the United States Army Strolling Strings to stay at home with their children, and they have relocated to Yorktown, Virginia where Justin is now serving as a military band conductor and the Primary chorister of the Yorktown Ward, Newport News Stake.
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