Carlos Miller: Keeping Rhythm, Keeping Faith

Over the years, in various wards in and around Provo, Utah, what most people remember about Carlos Dutton Miller is the way he conducted the music.

Now ninety, Brother Miller has led the singing in his wards and quorums for more than sixty years. “Even now, people will come up to me,” smiles the silver-haired conductor, “and they will tell me that they remember my teaching them about the circumstances under which this hymn or that hymn was written, and it makes me feel good.” They may not comment on his years of service in the Young Men’s Mutual, or his being elders quorum president, or the four times he served in bishoprics, or his other priesthood service—but they do remember his music service with clarity and fondness.

Brother Miller remembers leading song practice in Sunday School. After the practice hymn had been worked over thoroughly, there would occasionally be time for the congregation to sing another. So Brother Miller would call for requests. “Thank you for that suggestion,” he would quickly respond. “That hymn is number such and such in your books.” And he would invariably be right. His total familiarity with the hymns, his sense of selecting just the right hymn for the occasion, and his warm and instructive nature blended with an absolute punctuality made him the ideal chorister.

“I had no professional training,” he says, “so I don’t know why I was called upon to do it. But I did have a very good senior companion in the Northern States Mission many years ago who helped prepare me.” With the wisdom of age, Carlos is eager to teach and offers sage advice to any who would be chorister. “You must arrive early”—and to him that means at least fifteen minutes before the meeting—to post the hymn, locate the music stand, and take a seat “near the front so as not to distract from the meeting in any way.”

Like all people who do one thing well, there’s more to Carlos Miller than his dutiful sense of rhythm. Besides keeping the beat of the music, he has kept the faith. Most of his life has been spent as a grocer and butcher known for reliable, friendly service. Among his many customers were elderly folks who, upon buying groceries at his Ferguson’s Market on University Avenue, were often offered a ride home in Brother Miller’s car.

Brother Miller has four children. After his first wife died, he married Elva, who has been his companion for over thirty years. Sentimental about favorite pieces of music, he loves to sing as Elva accompanies him on the piano.