Today we boarded the buses early for a bit of a trek to Aberdeen. It was quite a busy day with THREE concerts on the schedule! But this is All-State, so the more opportunities to spread the love of God, the better!
Our first stop was at the Sycamore Lodge Campground in Aberdeen. After some set-up and warm-up, the All-Staters went out and walked around the community. As they walked they greeted any residents they saw and invited them to come to the concert happening in just a few minutes. By the time I arrived back at the lodge, there was a sizable group of people assembled to listen to our concert.
After singing the concert, we had a nice Chick-fil-a lunch and had some free time to hang out around the campground. All-Staters played putt-putt, arcade games, pool, and just had some time to enjoy each other's company.
Later that afternoon, the All-Staters gave a concert at St. Joseph Retirement Village in Southern Pines. This place looked like a castle! Apparent I only took videos of it and no pictures, but believe me, it looked incredible!
It is always a joy to see All-Staters interact with the audience members ate the various places they sing. From young children to senior adults, it is always evident when message of the songs has touched someone. God is always at work through All-State!
Our fine hosts fed the All-Staters a snack of fruit and cheese which had been completely eaten by the time we left!
It was also great to have a surprise visit from former director Larry Dickens!
Just a short drive away was the First Baptist Church of Southern Pines. As said by their organist and longtime member, FBC Southern Pines is one of the funniest looking baptist churches you will ever see - and I concur! The outside hardly looks like a church, and the sanctuary is very wide rather than deep and long like most baptist churches.
But even if it didn't look like a typical baptist church, they treated us with some excellent hospitality and cooking!
Somehow it never seems like dinner lasts very long and it is time for another concert! The second evening typically is a bit less stressful than the first because the first-concert jitters are out of the way. With a completely packed Sanctuary, the All-Staters stepped up and blew it out of the park. Although I am sure the All-Staters were tired from having already sung two concerts today, I believe they gained a boost of confidence from having sung many of the harder sections multiple times earlier today.
It is always great to have lots of alumni return to the concerts to sing Write Your Blessed Name! But while many people may think that this experience is just for the returning alumni to continue to have a chance to join with the choir, I believe the current All-Staters get just as much (if not more) from the experience. I remember when I was in the choir and alumni would return to sing with us, I would feel honored. Seeing these people who were just a little older than me (or maybe a lot older than me) return helped me to see how this choir continues to carry meaning after graduation. I was able to connect with the legacy of the past years of the choir since its inception in 1999. For the All-Staters currently in the choir now, people just like them have been coming to All-State and singing Write Your Blessed Name since before they were born! What a tangible way to see feel the history, legacy, and impact of this choir over the past two decades!
As always, seeing old friends and family reunite at the concerts is a thrill. The All-Staters always have so much to tell their loved ones about what they have been doing, the new people they have met and the new things they have learned about themselves and God.
After a long bus ride back to Wingate, we brought this lengthy day of traveling to a close. The three concerts made it quite a busy day, but each song sung and person met was a chance for the All-Staters to spread God's message of love with the world.
Tomorrow we are headed to the Concord area for a couple of concerts. Hope to see you all at a concert! (or two!)
Your Faithful All-State Blogger,
Carter
