Easter Concert: “Lamb of God”
March 30 @ 7:00 pm
Featuring the Washington D.C. Temple Choir and Orchestra
No tickets required; recommended for ages 8 and up.
“Lamb of God” is a dramatic musical portrayal of the final days of the life of Jesus, from the foreshadowing raising of Lazarus, to the devastating arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, and finally to his glorious resurrection. Composed and written by Rob Gardner, the story of Jesus is told through the perspective of those who loved and walked with him: Peter, John, Thomas, Mary and Martha of Bethany, Mary Magdalene and his Mother Mary.
Enjoy a video preview on Rob Gardner’s website.
More Information
~Are tickets needed? No, there are no tickets for this performance. It is free and open to the public.
~What is the parking situation like? Both church buildings where the performances take place have large parking lots adjacent to the buildings, and there will be parking attendants on hand to help direct cars. Carpooling and arriving early are still a good idea, though! Parking is free.
~How big are the venues? Both churches can seat 1000 people, plus we will have a couple of overflow rooms if needed where the performance will be live streamed closed circuit. There should be space for everyone who would like to come!
~How long is the performance? The Lamb of God runs almost an hour and a half with no intermission.
~Are children allowed at the performance? It is recommended for children 8 and up since it is of such a sacred nature as well as almost 90 minutes long with no intermission. We will have an overflow room that will available for parents to take their children to and watch the performance with them there, if needed.
~Is there a dress code? There is no dress code, but most in attendance will be dressed nicely, either in Sunday dress or nice casual clothes. Feel free to wear what you would be comfortable wearing in a church for an Easter Concert!
~Is the performance live streamed, or will it be recorded for future viewing online? Unfortunately, due to licensing issues, we cannot live stream it or record it for future viewing online.
Biographies
Brandon Bastian (Thomas) In the 2018 production of Lamb of God, Brandon was the understudy for Peter. He previously sang with choirs at BYU, including 2 years with BYU Singers.
Ken and Suzie Bastian (Producers) Ken & I want to thank everyone who was a part of this wonderful production of “Lamb of God” by Rob Gardner. It was our joy to bring this talented group of singers, musicians, technicians and Church leaders together tonight for you! Beginning the Easter season with “Lamb of God,” listening to the music and words, has become a tradition for our family. We invite you to start your own Easter traditions this year with Hope. Hope in Jesus Christ. – Suzie Bastian
Ken y yo queremos agradecer a todos los que participaron en esta maravillosa producción de “Cordero de Dios” de Rob Gardner. ¡Fue un placer reunir a este talentoso grupo de cantantes, músicos, técnicos y líderes de la Iglesia esta noche para ustedes! Comenzar la Pascua con “Cordero de Dios”, escuchando la música y la letra, se ha convertido en una tradición para nuestra familia. Los invitamos a comenzar sus propias tradiciones de Pascua este año con Esperanza. Esperanza en Jesucristo. – Suzie Bastian
Emily Brown (Mary of Bethany) first saw “The Lamb of God” on her mission in Arizona and has loved it ever since. She is thrilled to be a part of a production that always reminds her of Easter in Mesa: citrus trees in bloom and Jesus on her name tag.
Nelson Burton (Narrator) has loved singing since he was a child. In middle school, high school, college and afterwards, he has sung and performed in many choirs and musicals, including the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He is happy to be back in the Washington DC Temple Choir and to be part of this “Lamb of God” performance once again.
Madison Hafer (A Believer) majored in classical vocal performance and has performed in The Mikado, Lucia di Lammermoor, Les Miserables, West Side Story, and was Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie. Her husband and five magical kids keep her humble, cool, and tired.
David J. Hardin (Director) has directed instrumental and choral music for over 50 years. He has served as the Director of the Washington DC Temple Orchestra since 2019 and as Associate Director of the Washington DC Temple Choir since 2001. He holds a Master of Music in Conducting from the George Mason University where he studied conducting with Dr. Stanley Engebretson and a BS in Music Education from the University of Maryland, where he studied conducting with William Hudson.
Kirsten Rebecca Hinck (Maid—Annandale) Growing up, Kirsten loved to perform and spent many years dancing with her local ballet studio and participating in school choirs and orchestras. After an eight year break from the stage, she is thrilled to be making music again with the Washington DC Temple Choir.
Tim Hoyt (False Witness) previously served as the assistant principal double bass for the Orchestra at Temple Square and principal double bass for the Ensign Symphony. Over the past 25 years, he has also served as the organist for nine different church congregations on three continents. He has been a member of the Washington DC Temple Choir and Orchestra since 2023.
Noble Hwang (Cello Solo) has been the Principal Cellist of the Washington DC Temple Orchestra since 2023. While he has had the opportunity to play with many symphonic ensembles, his favorite musical experience was having his cello with him as a full-time missionary in Los Angeles, where he performed at numerous sacrament meetings, baptisms, and mission events. He hopes that the audience feels the love of the Savior through his playing tonight.
Gregory Jack (John—Silver Spring) has sung with the Washington, DC Temple Choir for three years. He previously sang with the Salt Lake Institute Choir and the Draper Philharmonic Choir, with other featured stage performances dating back to high school twelve years ago.
Susie Sowa Johnson (Mary Magdalene—Annandale) Susie is a lifelong singer and has been in many choirs from elementary school through college. She first sang Lamb of God with the DC Temple Choir in 2018 and is so excited to perform this beautiful music again!
TaraLee Mecham (Understudy Martha) recorded her first song at the age of 2, with the help of her parents. She has been involved with music in all forms ever since doing musical theatre, opera, and art song recitals while pursuing degrees in mathematics.
Johnna Nelson (Understudy Mary Mother) Composed her first song at age 10 without any formal lessons, and at 11 she began piano lessons. The flood gates opened and she eventually earned her degree in piano performance/pedagogy. Over the last 4 decades she has taught piano, performed and written several pieces and songs. She enjoys sharing her “God-given talent” and takes no credit for herself. She says, “It is, and always will be my goal to build up His kingdom through music, which includes the honor of performing with our wonderful choir family.”
Bianca Newkirk (Martha) Bianca moved back to the NoVa area after graduating from BYU with a degree in music education – choral emphasis. She and her husband share three wonderful boys. She has loved singing with the choir for the last 3 years.
Christopher Pumford (John—Annandale/Understudy Thomas) is the self-proclaimed heart and soul of the DC Temple Choir. Born in Montreal and raised in Michigan, Christopher’s musical background includes performing on the University of Michigan Drumline and Men’s Glee Club, five musicals, and starting his own percussion ensemble.
Seiko Shimada (Mary Magdalene—Silver Spring) grew up in Japan, singing in Nara Broadcast Children’s Choir. She was selected for Asia Youth Choir 2000. She has been performing in numerous venues, including the Tidal Basin stage for the National Cherry Blossom Festival for the last 10 years.
Bryan Stout (Understudy Narrator/Understudy Accuser) joined the Washington DC Temple Choir in 1992 (singing as Pilate in their 2018 Lamb of God) and is now its librarian. He has worked in AI, CS, and game development. He is married with three children and three grandchildren.
Laura Sturm (Damsel—Silver Spring/Understudy A Believer) loves music in all its varieties and has been singing her whole life. These days she does most of her singing and dancing in the kitchen with her children who are her favorite Disney duet partners. She has been with the DC temple choir since 2023.
Scott Thomas (Accuser/Understudy Judas/Understudy Pilate) At BYU, Scott earned a minor in Music, studying piano, saxophone, and voice and singing in Men’s Chorus under the direction of Mack Wilberg. Scott and his wife Robin have 10 children and 8 grandchildren.
Ty Turley Trejo (Judas) has a bachelor’s degree in piano and voice and a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Brigham Young University. He also received a law degree from Vanderbilt University and currently works as a litigation associate at a D.C. firm, specializing in copyright and trademark law. Ty and his wife, Gina, have four children and reside in Burke, VA.
Kate Stevenson Thurgood (Mary Mother) was raised in Northern Virginia, where she began voice lessons as a teenager, singing in her high school choirs and performing in the musicals. A long time member of the Washington DC Temple Choir, she has been President of the choir since 2018.
Taylor Tuala (Understudy False Witness) is a proud Hawaiian/Samoan, born and raised in California. Music filled his childhood home, with aunties and uncles playing around him. A choir member throughout school and church, he’s always had a deep love for music.
Nathaniel Thomas Vogl (Peter) first discovered his love of singing during his many high school vocal competitions. He went on to sing with the Utah Valley University Men’s Choir and Chamber Choir. He joined the Washington DC Temple Choir in 2024 and is grateful to perform with such a strong group.
Theresa Schillen Walker (Damsel – Annandale/Understudy Mary of Bethany) was born in Tucson, AZ, but raised just outside of Seattle, Washington. As a youth, Theresa was involved in choral music through junior and high school, including participating in a number of choirs and choral competitions. In 2015, Theresa joined the Washington DC Temple Choir and has been singing with them since. She and her husband have been blessed with 5 beautiful children.
Allyson Wilkins (Narrator—Silver Spring) has been singing and performing in shows since she was young, studying Theater Arts at Brigham Young University. Her current role is “Mom.” She joined the Choir in 2018 and is excited for this opportunity to narrate and sing.
Chris Woidka (Pilate) A true art aficionado, Chris not only sings but also enjoys acting, dancing, composing, novel writing, board-game inventing, and mashed-potato sculpting. He loves being surrounded each week by such incredibly talented singers. This is Chris’s third year with the choir.
Becky Woodruff (Maid—Silver Spring) This is Becky’s second year with the choir. She is thrilled to be part of “Lamb of God” and to say that “she knows Him.” This wife and mother of 5 spends her days singing nursery songs and running after 3 year olds.
Rebecca Yeates (Female Narrator—Annandale) Rebecca’s first narration project was the 1976 filmstrip “Love,” used in several missions across the church. She sang with the local youth group Voices of Destiny, appeared in the BYU musical When It’s Love, and joined the Temple Choir in 2022.
Special Thanks to:
- Choir Vocal Coach Marleigh Savage-Mansfield for all her work with the choir and soloists
- Graphic artist Ether Ling for creating the posters, flyers and programs because you captured the spirit of Lamb of God for all of us!
- Service Missionaries from Washington DC North, Washington DC South, and Baltimore Missions for ushering and helping with set up and take down
- Annandale, VA & Silver Spring, MD Stakes for hosting our performances and making all this possible
- The families of the Choir & Orchestra for their support
- All the music teachers and many choir directors who passed their passion for beautiful music to all of us
- Rob Gardner for composing this beautiful work that continues to bring hope to so many
Rob Gardner’s Story
“My thought was to tell the story of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ through the experiences of those who witnessed them—those He knew and loved. It was the most interesting to me to see what their decisions, their actions and their interactions with Him teach us about the Savior Himself. And it was important to me that Hope shine through even in the darkest of moments. I decided early on that I didn’t want any actor or singer to portray or represent the Savior in this piece, mostly because I think it’s extremely difficult to do so in an effective way. I chose instead to represent His voice with the solo cello. I also felt that where the choir sang in moments of underscore, I wanted them to sing in Aramaic—the language the Savior and His contemporaries would have spoken. I have to confess that the reason for that was mostly that English just didn’t seem to evoke the power and emotion I was looking for, whereas the guttural and consonant-laden sounds of Aramaic did so beautifully. There are many more decisions I made that I’ll leave you to discover for yourself.”
Historia de Rob Gardner
“Mi pensamiento era contar la historia de los últimos días de la vida de Jesucristo a través de aquellos que los presenciaron, estos que El conocía y amaba. Eso fue lo mas interesante para mi y ver sus decisiones, sus acciones y sus interacciones con El nos enseñan acerca del Salvador mismo. Y fue importante para mi que la Esperanza brillara incluso a través de los momentos oscuros. Primeramente decidí que no quería a ningún actor o cantante para representar al Salvador en esta parte, aun mas porque creo que eso es extremamente difícil de hacer de un manera efectiva. Decidí mas bien representar su voz con un solo del violonchelo. También sentí que cuando el coro cantara las partes subrayadas, quería que lo cantaran en Arameo — el lenguaje del Salvador y lo que hablarían sus contemporáneos. Tengo que confesar que el motivo por el que fue principalmente que Ingles simplemente no parecía invocar el poder y la emoción que estaba buscando, mientras la gutural y la carga de consonantes en el sonido Aramico lo hizo tan hermoso. Hay muchas mas decisiones que hice que los dejare descubrirlos por ustedes mismos.”
Rob Gardner: Lamb of God, a Sacred Work for Choir, Orchestra, and Soloists
Program Notes by Marleigh Savage-Mansfield
Composer
Rob Gardner (1977-present) was raised in Arizona as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.1 He started arranging in High School with an acapella band, Two Five Nine, which recorded 5 albums and toured the country performing during his college days.2 Rob served as a missionary for the church in the Bordeaux, France Mission from 1996-1998 where he composed a work based on the life of Jesus Christ.3 Rob has original works for theater and the concert stage as well as musicals such as Blackbeard, 12 Princesses, and The Price of Freedom to his credit. His most well-known works are sacred oratorios.4 Rob is co-founder of the group Cinematic Pop, which produced several albums and sold-out live shows. He is also the co-founder and president of the non-profit Spire Music, and continues to compose, conduct and produce. Rob’s undergraduate degree is in Management and Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University. He also studied in the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program with the University of Southern California. 5
Composition
The sacred oratorio, Lamb of God, composed over a 6 month period and completed in 2010, is Rob Gardner’s most famous work. It is performed by many denominations and university groups worldwide and was made into a concert film which premiered in the top 10 films in the U.S.6 The original idea came from a shorter work he composed about Jesus Christ as a missionary that was impactful for audiences. He had the idea that a work about the Christ needed to be longer and put off the project for years, feeling unworthy of doing the subject justice. Finally feeling that it was now or never, Rob reported to Jones that he felt that the London Symphony Orchestra was the best in the world, and if they agreed to record it with him then he could do it. An email was sent asking if they would consider recording The Lamb of God. The answer was yes. Rob withdrew from his graduate program and began to work.7
The text for this work is based on the last week of the life of Jesus Christ as found in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament, commonly known as the Gospels.8 The final work contains 14 sections with narration, choir, orchestra and soloists representing different disciples of Jesus Christ and others during his last days. A cello soloist represents Jesus Christ. Though mostly in English, there is some Aramaic in the choral text, the language that is believed to be that spoken during Jesus’ lifetime. The music is tonal and homophonic with beautifully shaped melodies and smart, strident tense lines for some of the characters such as Pilate and Judas. The music is at times very energetic and at others reverent, with high emotion being expressed beautifully in the choir by ringing, forte sustained chords, alternating with hushed, blended, piano sections. The duple-triple rhythmic aspect in sections ads to the artistic tension.9
The Lamb of God was originally recorded by The London Symphony Orchestra and Spire Chorus.
1. Morgan Jones, “LDS Composer Rob Gardner reflects on inspiration behind Easter oratorio ‘Lamb of God,’ Deseret News, March 25, 2016, https://www.deseret.com/
2. Rob Gardner Music, “About,” Feb. 26, 2025, https://robgardnermusic.
3. Jones, “Rob Gardner.”
4. “Rob Gardner (composer),” Wikipedia, Feb. 16, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.
5. Rob Gardner Music, “About.”
6. Rob Gardner, “Lamb of God,” Rob Gardner Music, Feb. 27, 2025, https://robgardnermusic.
7. Jones, “Rob Garnder.”
8. Gardner, “Lamb of God.”
9. Rob Gardner, Lamb of God: A SACRED WORK FOR CHOIR, ORCHESTRA AND SOLOISTS (www.spiremusic.org: Rob Gardner Music, 2010).
Scripture References
The following are the scriptures referenced in “Lamb of God” that will help you study the last months of the life of Jesus Christ all the way to the His Resurrection:
John 10:22-38
Isaiah 53:3-5
John 11:1-34
John 11:55-57
Matthew 26:14-16; Talmage, Jesus the Christ, chapter 33 Luke 19:29-37; Mark 11:1-9
Matthew 26:17-22
Matthew 26:25; John 13:27, 30 Matthew 26:26-28 Matthew 26:31-35
John 16:32-33
Mark 14:32-36
Luke 22:44
Matthew 26:40-53; Luke 22:48 Matthew 26:57-75
Matthew 27:1-2
John 19:16-19
John 19:26-27
Matthew 27:39-42 Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:46; Talmage, Jesus the Christ, chapter 35 John 20:1-17
John 20:19-20; Luke 24:36-40 John 20:24-28
John 21:1-17
Romans 8:35, 37
Thank You!
Thank you for beginning your Easter Season with us. We have felt so much hope and love in every note we have sung or played. We hope you felt the results of all our work and the Savior’s love for you tonight!