Friday, October 29, 2010

Carnegie Hall

I have been putting off blogging about Carnegie Hall for a week now. The whole experience is still simmering in my head and heart. And I'm certain my words and descriptions won't do the experience justice.

From beginning to end, the whole trip was nothing short of spectacular. I'm so beyond grateful to have been given this experience. And let's be clear: this is not how I roll. I don't jet up and sing at Carnegie Hall just any old time. Why I was allowed to, I don't know. Imagine Jethro Clampett being invited to speak at Harvard graduation. Bingo. You got the picture.

But I had SO MUCH FUN. The orchestra played exquisitely. The choir sang...well, they sang every way; powerfully, passionately, tenderly, beautifully. You all know how much of a choir lover I am. I wanted to turn around and watch them the whole night. But I restrained myself. Mostly.

And, Melinda Doolittle? World class, amazing singer. Humble and warm-hearted. Set apart.

We arrived the night before. Pictured below are my friends Daniel and Christy Semsen (they came all the way from L.A. for the concert. Daniel composed and orchestrated the overture, as well as wrote many of the choir charts for the concert.), my intern Bradford and my assistant Kimberly. We were ready for the adventure.


Some pictures of rehearsal:





And after rehearsal, we ate what I'm sure most people eat a couple of hours before singing there:


There's nothing natural about walking down the street and seeing this:


So we had to bring some reality to it:




Ready for the big night:


We are both sneaker kind of people. But we were both a little bit in pride over our shiny shoes.


Speaking of sneakers, Daniel called me 20 minutes before the concert to tell me he opened his shoe box to find this:


So, Nikes at Carnegie it is. Love it.


About 15 minutes before the show, a security guard brought a card to my door. As soon as I saw the handwriting on the envelope, I knew who it was from.


It was my mentor and "worship daddy," Dick Hill. He surprised me and came all the way from Houston to see the concert!


It was by far one of the most heart-warming surprises of my life. He is the best.

It was a beautiful night.




After the concert, we went on a boat ride on the New York Harbor with the whole choir - all 220 of them. It was a blast. And we had some amazing views.




Melinda and I got to drive the boat. Or at least look like we were.


Uh, yeah. Travis, Captain Stubing called. He wants his hat back.

This is what artists, assistants and interns look like after a day like that day:




We were happy. Exhausted, but happy. It was a moment in time I will never forget, and a moment for which I am very grateful.

24 comments:

KMac said...

good recap, boss. glad i share some of those same memories. it was fantabulous.

Maurilio Amorim said...

Great post. You should post video as well. Love the pics.

Leah Adams said...

Wow!!! Congratulations! I thinking you just increased your pay grade several notches!!

Leah

Andrea said...

Way to go, Jethro!...I mean, Travis! :) Seriously, what a sweet dealio. I'm agreeing with video, if it's available (and, um, I'm sure your fans would purchase it if the concert was made available...just sayin'...)

Anonymous said...

What a great accomplishment. So happy for you and Melinda. Just sorry that I couldn't be there in person. I think a DVD is a great idea. God bless.

Candice King said...

Travis, what can I say... First off, Thompsons Station misses you, Angela and those sweet babies!

Second, it was a joy, an honor, and a blessing to sing with you again!! (and of course with Melinda). The holy spirit was moving in such a powerful way that we were in tears even during the rehearsal.

Carnegie Hall was most definitely annointed with the holy spirit that night!

Momma Jensen said...

Thank you for the update!
I have been just itching to hear how it went. I would imagine it was a little difficult to wrap your mind around a Carnegie Hall experience.
Loved the pictures, thank you for sharing a piece of your day!
God Bless!

An unidentified fruit :-) said...

You really left your mark on that place!!!

cjnash06 said...

Let's do it again sometime, shall we?
I have loved singing with you in local churches, experiencing worship like that is truly amazing, take that and plop it in Carnegie Hall, and...WOW...an entirely new experience. Thank You, Travis for allowing so many of us to join you. I am forever changed and forever blessed because of it.

His Jules said...

Amazing!!! Thanks for letting us come along on the journey...I love the way God uses you!

Rhonda said...

Looks wonderful! The Lord bless you.

Anonymous said...

So glad to finally get the post....I was wondering how it went!!! I knew it would be awesome and wonderful and of course very, very, tiring...but wonderful!!!!

You are amazing!! You do such a great job......Looking forward to heaven and singing in your choir!!!
Blessings,
Georgia

Daniel Semsen said...

Melinda looks much more elegant in her exhaustion than you do (see last picture). HAHAHAHA...

fuzzytop said...

Oh wow! What an amazing adventure! Thanks for sharing - the photos are priceless....

Adrienne

Kay said...

Love Melinda Doolittle. Wish I could have heard the two of you singing together. Must have been heavenly.

sanbun said...

Travis, I never enjoyed myself more singing in the choir behind you! By far, this has been the highlight of my life!! The music was awesome. God is using you in a mighty way. Thank you, thank you!

Sarah said...

Great post! Never been to NY or Carnegie Hall, but it looks like quite the experience!

Congrats!

Stacy Luthi said...

Great post/recap!!! Looked like a great experience.

Anonymous said...

Congratualations Travis !! You are most deserving....your blog just cracks me up....makes me smile !

a florida gal said...

this was priceless...when we lived in Houston some 20 years ago...we loved Dick Hill too...my honey sang for him..he (Dick)is one amazing man (my honey is too)...now...well, you HAVE sung at Carnagie Hall...woot woot! Thanks for posting! Keep singing..and sharing!

Deirdre said...

you are a trip.

Anonymous said...

Travis,
So glad you got to do Carnegie Hall! A friend sent me this blog link -- I was SO surprised to see Dick Hill. His parents ministered at the church where I grew up. Charlie and Judy Hill were THE BEST so no doubt Dick is too. Amazing how God uses each generation... Thanks for sharing.

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