Fun Friday
On Friday, we jumped on the bus bright and early and headed toward the beach! As it is a bit of a long drive to the beach, and it is approaching the end of the week, the All-Staters are losing a bit of their boundless energy. Thus, it was time for a few bus pics!
When we arrived at Wilmington, we gathered under the small pavilion and did a little singing and dancing for the passersby on Wrightsville Beach and the neighboring condos. That was pretty nostalgic for me because I remember singing at the exact same pavilion eight years ago when I was in All-State!
After that, we hit the beach! The All-Staters spread out and took in the free-time in a variety of ways. There was dancing, beach pics, chaco pics, jumping pics, walking in the light, sand art, long walks and runs on the beach, frisbee, body surfing, fresh watermelon, and pretty much anything else fun you can do on the beach - someone was doing!
After a quick shower and lunch provided by Winter Park Baptist Church, we headed over to the mall to do a mini-concert there! The acoustics outside the JCPenny might not look like much, but sounded quite amazing!
Immediately following, the All-Staters moved into an alcove outside the mall to sing "Ubi Caritas" in the round. This was quite a special experience as the acoustics were even better in this room and each chord would resonate and echo at the conclusions of each phrase.
Immediately following, the All-Staters moved into an alcove outside the mall to sing "Ubi Caritas" in the round. This was quite a special experience as the acoustics were even better in this room and each chord would resonate and echo at the conclusions of each phrase.
A few much need minutes for pew napping, and the All-Staters are refreshed for yet another concert!
The dinner provided by Winter Park Baptist Church was nothing short of divine with too many deep fried items on the menu to count. I felt like I was eating my way right into a heart attack because my entire plate was fried and and of a brown-ish complexion.
A quick change of clothes (that were washed so graciously by our host church) and the All-Staters were ready for the packed house of Winter Park Baptist Church! The concert was truly riveting and people were overflowing in the balcony to listen to this year's All- State Baptist Youth Choir. The final few songs are truly something special and if you haven't made it to a concert this year, then you are not going to want to miss it!
After the concert, family and friends shared congratulations and well wishes for a good end of the week! Seeing these family and friends is what really excites these All-Staters. They just want to be able to share some part of their incredible journey and experience with those whom they love. And there is truly no way to put it into words - so they share their journey through music. And it is quite powerful.
And once again, Caroline, Deanna, and I found a buddy from our All-State years!
That is one of the biggest reasons All-State alumni come back - to see and catch up with old friends! But also to sing Write Your Blessed Name and to see God's continuing work in young people through choral music. To see and hear the passion of young people who have been inspired to lead in worship through music.
Your Faithful All-State Blogger,
Carter
Also, check out this picture that shows the view of the 2016 North Carolina Baptist All-State Youth Choir through the eyes of the Media Consultant. (I just thought it was cool!)
