advanced primary

who knew that the primary program was turning into the mormon tabernacle choir performance? i surely didn't until i was put into primary as a pianist in february. growing up with a mom constantly in the primary, the program was always stressful, but mostly because kids didn't show up to say their parts, not because the music didn't sound right. the conductor of our primary is a wonderful lady but she has VERY high expectations for the kids in her primary and likes to fly by the seat of her pants. the program usually takes place in late september or october and consists of various speaking parts by all the attending children and 6-10 songs from the manual. we have spent the majority of each sunday for the past 6 months learning and perfecting the program songs. but the plain old primary songs weren't good enough. along with several solos and fancy renditions of the primary tunes including chimes, violin and flute, a full choir version of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" has been added to the program. the piece is 10 pages long and includes a very tricky accompaniment. the children have only learned the first and last verses and a group of soloists and congregation will finish the rest of the piece. after getting along most of the time without even touching a piano before primary singing time on sunday, i have found myself spending a little more time at the piano than i have in 4 or more years. hopefully my poor skills as a pianist can keep up with our mormon tabernacle choir primary.