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When someone mentions attending the ballet, an opera, a symphony, or an art gallery, does it make you groan? Instead of assuming that you’re not going to like attending a performance or show, give the arts a chance.

Here are a few suggestions for learning to appreciate the arts:

1. Start out easy.

Go to a children’s museum. Take your brothers and sisters along. You’ll have a great time. Or attend a town arts festival. The artists and performers normally will be glad to talk with you about their art.

2. Take the opportunity.

When you get the chance to go to a performance or to a museum or gallery, do it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you’ll enjoy.

3. Go with someone knowledgeable.

If someone who loves the ballet, symphony, opera, or art gallery invites you to go with them, accept. They can open a whole new world to you and you might find out you like it.

4. Read up.

It helps when you know a little more about what you’re seeing or hearing. Just reading the synopsis printed in the program will help you enjoy the performance or show more.

5. Watch the timpani player.

You may find that you like certain parts of a performance more than other parts. You can stay entertained by picking out one performer and watching just that person perform his part.

Franco Vigliotti, a priest in the Renens Switzerland Branch, enjoys playing his violin in church. He started playing when he was six and now performs with an orchestra for students in Lausanne. He also plays the piano and is the chorister for sacrament meeting. In addition to speaking four languages, Franco enjoys his scholastic studies. He has been accepted to gymnasium, which will prepare him to enter university.

Robert Jones of Rexburg, Idaho, was selected as one of nine high school students in the nation to spend a summer working with computers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Robert and his friend, Eric Mulkay, tied for top honors as outstanding high school science students. He and several other friends repeatedly won grand prize in an alternative energy contest sponsored by a local power company. Robert’s younger brother and sister are following in his footsteps. They entered the same contest for the first time and won the grand prize.

Robert also enjoys music. He has also served in leadership positions in his priesthood quorums and played the piano for priesthood meetings in the Rexburg 12th Ward, Rexburg Idaho Center Stake.

Lisa Robbins of Clarksville, Tennessee, took first place in her high school for an essay on peer pressure. She took second place in the regional contest. In addition, she received an honorable mention for her essay on the theme of women’s work. Her essay was entitled, “Relief Society: the Oldest Women’s Organization in the United States.”

Lisa also has a great love of music and a beautiful singing voice. Lisa served as Laurel class president and had perfect attendance at early-morning seminary in the New Providence Ward, Hopkinsville Kentucky Stake.

Christopher Valentine of the Lincoln Second Ward, Lincoln Nebraska Stake, has been selected, for the second time, as one of the outstanding artists in the Lincoln Public Schools. His work was featured in annual exhibit that will hang in the Public Administration offices for a year.

Chris is an honor student. He also enjoys working with computers, music, fishing, and biking. He serves in his ward on the bishop’s youth committee, as a counselor in his teachers quorum, and as pianist for priesthood meeting. He has also earned his Eagle Award in Scouting.

Nicola Wade of the Northampton Ward, Northampton England Stake, puts excellence on top of her list of goals. She serves as ward organist and plays the piano for the choir. She has won speech competitions, plays the clarinet, and has completed four years of seminary.

In school Nicola has passed 110-level examinations and is working on A levels in preparation for studying accountancy at university.

In addition to her music, Nicola serves in the Church in many ways. She regularly attends girls’ camp and has taken charge of the Yearlings.

Lori Jean Lee and Joseph “Paul” Barnett of the Albertson Ward, Goldsboro North Carolina Stake, were recognized for their achievements in school and community activities.

Lori served as president of student government and was chosen as outstanding student of her senior class, winning a $20,000 scholarship for excellence in social studies. She also competed in the North Carolina Miss T.E.E.N. pageant.

Paul was selected to appear in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and was nominated for Honorary Award recognition. He loves horses, athletics, and music. He received his solo pilot’s license when he was 16 and hopes to become a pilot after he completes his mission.

Derek Brown of the Camarillo First Ward, Camarillo California Stake, performed on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach as the only piano soloist for the National Federation of Music Clubs.

Derek started playing the piano at age three and at age twelve won the family a grand piano in a competition by performing a piano solo plus one of his own compositions. He has won ten superior rankings in annual junior music festivals. He has won honors in many local and state competitions.

Derek’s abilities are not confined to music. He is an honor student, a track team pole vaulter, and president of Key Club.

John Clawson of the Rockford First Ward, Rockford Illinois Stake, received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. He has earned his Eagle, Order of the Arrow, and Duty to God awards. He served as first assistant in his priests quorum and as president of his teachers and deacons quorums.

Mendell Campbell of the Talladega Branch, Birmingham Alabama Stake, received an appointment to the U.S. Army Academy at West Point. He took advanced courses in his high school and graduated third in his class. He participated in track and football and was involved in math and science club.

Nearly all 147 youth in the Logan Utah Central Stake signed their names to a scroll, committing to read the Book of Mormon in a six-month program started by the stake. The scroll was sent to President Benson, who replied with an encouraging letter.

Several ward and stake events were held to motivate and encourage the youth committed to reading. There were ward reading marathons, Book of Mormon bowls, and special speakers. Yet with all the fun, hard work, laughs, and catch-up reading, something extra began to happen. Solid testimonies of the Book of Mormon were being built, along with a lifelong habit of reading the scriptures.

At the completion of the reading program, the youth gathered at the stake center to bury a time capsule. Among the items included were letters written by the youth to future generations. The youth couldn’t help think about how Moroni must have felt as his words to future generations were etched in the plates and buried. The letters by the youth spoke of their testimonies and encouraged future readers to try out Moroni’s promise about the Book of Mormon for themselves. The Logan Utah Central Stake youth found out that Moroni’s promise does work after they did their part: reading, pondering, and praying.

The Rexburg Idaho North Stake Adventurers climbed to new heights as they spent three days backpacking in the Tetons of Wyoming. They hiked 20 miles up and across the ridge of mountains starting in Idaho and ending in Wyoming. The girls were challenged by the steep terrain, the altitude, and the effort of carrying everything with them. The nine Young Women who practiced in the hike formed close friendships as they joined together in helping each other along the way.

Cindie LaPrath of the Mountain View Ward, Coeur d‘Alene Idaho Stake, served as the editor of her school’s yearbook, which received national recognition. Cindie graduated with honors from her school, which is on split shifts. She attended school from 7:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and had two jobs in the afternoons and evenings to earn money for college.

Cindie also served as president of her Laurel class and earned her Young Womanhood Recognition. She was called as Primary organist. Her goal for the summer was to participate in the Summiteer program.

Tami Ray, a Beehive in the Ontario First Ward, Ontario Oregon Stake, was chosen as student of the year by her sixth-grade teacher. She was also named student of the year in the fifth grade. Tami was chosen as best reader in her class and was presented with the Presidential Academic Fitness Award.

In her spare time, Tami loves to water-ski and to read. She is also responsible for a paper route, and she enjoys playing the piano.

Brent Guinn, a priest in the Dallas Seventh Ward, Dallas Texas Stake, was valedictorian of his graduating class. He maintained a straight-A average and was named to the Knights of the Round Table, a group of the 12 most influential seniors, selected each year by the faculty. Brent was one of two LDS students in his school.

In addition to academics, Brent excelled in sports. He lettered in swimming and cross-country and played football as well. He attended seminary and was the leading player for his ward in two stake basketball championships and one stake volleyball championship.

An Eagle Scout, Brent teaches water sports each summer at the local Scout camp.