Merlin's Notes

With a Song in My Heart

The Lord tells us in the D & C not to bury our talents but to use them and improve them. Since I love to sing, that commandment will be easy for me. These are some of my performances:

September 1946 – Radio Broadcast on KLO in Ogden. “Psychology and Scrunchies”

July 20, 1950 - Opera Performance – “Hin und Zuruck” in Provo. Merlin played the doctor. (picture)

Vocal Recital May 18, 19?? At BYU

1957 - Delta Phi Male Chorus (BYU) on tour
While attending BYU in 1950, Merlin was a regular singer with the Delta Phi Male Chorus. He was Secretary to the Y Chapter of Delta Phi Fraternity. They had weekly practices preparing a tour which started June 1, 1957 and went from Ft. Collins, Colorado to Wichita, Kansas, St. Francis, Missouri, Cincinnati, Ohio, Detroit Michigan, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Schenectady, New York, Springfield, Massachusetts, New York City, New York, Washington D.C. and Columbus, Ohio. They would perform in LDS Stake buildings, spend the night with members of the LDS church and leave the next morning to sing in another LDS building. They were very well received. Phyllis was one of their accompanists.

August 11, 1957 - Graduate Recital

November 12, 1957 – Prison News:
“The development of the choir and the quartet is due entirely to the fine talents and untiring efforts of two outstanding men, Mr. Leo Dean, of Midvale Junior High School and Mr. Merlin R. Sorensen, of Bingham High School. These men have been putting everything they have into their work here. They have been putting aside some of their own personal business and most of their recreational time to help us out.”

“Every evening for the past six weeks these two great guys have been driving out here after putting a full day at their regular jobs. They put on a suit of our “blues” and go to work. Yes, that is right, you can’t tell them from inmates by their clothes and certainly not from the way they act. They certainly deserve more credit that we can give to them. The very least that we can do is to show our appreciation by giving them our whole-hearted co-operation.”

June 29, 1965 – Merlin appeared in “Bye Bye Birdie” at the Music Circus. He was the mayor. He had sprained his ankle and for curtain calls, had to run down the sloping walk to take his bow.

December 23, 1980 – Sang “Soft, Soft” at Sacramento 5th ward

August 28, 1990 - Merlin was accepted as a member of the Sacramento Symphony Chorus
(Both mom and dad had participated in this chorus many years previous.)

May 10, 1995 - Carnegie Hall Tour
We all flew to New York. We had rehearsals on Thursday, May 11, Friday, May 12 and dress rehearsal on Saturday, May 13. Our performance was at 6:34 p.m. It was really special for me to be in that beautiful building, all in black and white. This trip to Carnegie Hall to sing Verdi’s Requiem was the highlight of my life. It was truly a great thrill! After the performance, we went by bus to a ship which toured around the statue of Liberty in the ocean. While aboard this ship we had chicken dinner and dancing. I got to dance with Perla Warren and had my picture taken.

I regretfully write that she later died of cancer. We left New York on Sunday, May 14, 1995. This wonderful trip was not all free. My cost was $1194.00 It was well worth the price! (pictures) (side note: Dad had just had a six bypass cardiac surgery on April 19, so was just barely able to go.)

November 23, 1997 – sang “I Believe in Christ” at Crestwood Ward

February 15, 2002 - Dad won a $50 United States Savings Bond for singing in a talent show in Eminence, Missouri on his mission with Della.

April 21st 2002 - Sung on his mission with Della in Missouri at Ozark Orchard Restaurant in Eminence, Missouri

September 7, 2002 – Sang in Ozark Restaurant, Missouri

May 23, 2004 – Spring Recital of Merlin’s piano students in Sacramento

June 26, 2004 – sang “The Wind is a Lion” at Laguna Creek 3rd Ward

July 2, 2004 – Published several poems of Merlin Sorensen

October 17, 2004 – sang “Keep the Commandments” with Lisa Maslen

October 24, 2004 – Played piano for Bill Rogers Baptism, Laguna Creek 3rd ward

November 15, 2004 – Directed MIA production “Make Mine Happy”

April 12, 2005 – sang “Hold Thou My Hand” at Erica Hildreth’s funeral

April 23, 2005 – sang two songs for “Let Freedom Ring” “It’s a Blue World”

May 15, 2005 – sang “Sweet Hour of Prayer’ at Laguna 3rd Ward

October 23, 2005 – Directed ward choir of Laguna Creek 3rd ward

December 19, 2004 - Sang “I Wonder as I Wander” at Laguna ward meeting

December 24, 2004 – sang “The Christmas Waltz” and “White Christmas” at Laguna Creek

January 3, 2005 - played Andres Carnes in Oklahoma

December 25, 2005 – sang “Gesu Bambino” with David Munci Laguna Creek 3rd

December 31, 2006 – I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked at Laguna Creek 3rd

March 14, 2006 – Sang “Lord, I Would Follow Three” Arkansas Ward
Faith Without Works” by Merlin Sorensen, read by Deana

February 4, 2007 – Spoke at Madison Sorensen’s baptism at Walnut Creek

March 18, 2007 – sang “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked” Laguna Creek 3rd ward

September 9, 2007 – Played for Isabelle Sorensen’s baptism

September 19, 2007 – sang “In My Father’s House are many Mansions”

April 20, 2008 – played at Dane’s baptism at Clayton Valley ward

November 16, 2008 – sang with Matthew Scott “I Need Three Every Hour” Laguna Creek 3rd ward

November 15, 2009 – sang “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked” with Gary Buck

February 24, 2011 - “A Little Bit of Merlin” Highland Cove Retirement Center

February 13, 2012 – Awarded “Best Song Sung” Highland Cove FHE

February 19, 2012 - sang “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked” in Orangewood Ward (Kevin’s homecoming)

April 28, 2012 – sang “Spanish Eyes” at Stake Center