Stamps-Baxter - Day 4

Another great day on campus. The only real complaint I'm getting from staff and volunteers is "everything's done - we're bored" - *bliss*

Allison will be out of town tomorrow for a gig, so I've been asked to teach her class! Very excited! I sat in on her class with Mike today, which was great. I'm a little nervous, because Allison sets a very high standard, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Tonight was the faculty concert. No, I didn't sing. I had been told the concert was next week, so I had arranged for Gerald to come out then to accompany me. MTSU is almost an hour from our house, so I couldn't just go and pick him up. So, I'm going to try and find a time to sing next week.

The concert was good, but the highlight was the finale: Ben, Rosa Nell, and Mary Tom singing classic Speer songs with Jack Clark on piano, Rebekah Long on double bass, and Rock Slaughter on sax. Awesome!

Must sleep - I want to be well prepared for tomorrow!

Stamps-Baxter - Day 3

Today was long, but soooo good!

This morning, Gerald and I had a fantastic meeting at NSAI. We met with 2 of the main coordinators to discuss some of our Toronto plans, and possible ways we could partner with NSAI. I can't reveal any details yet, but let's just say, there was a lot of excitement on both sides.

After lunch at the Pie Wagon, we left Music Row and I headed off to Stamps-Baxter. I'm so happy to see how things are shaping up at school this year. It's been a ton of work to move the school to a new location, but for the most part, the transition has been a smooth one.

This afternoon, I joined Allison Durham Speer in her Performance Training class. One of the things Gerald and I want to do when we get back to Toronto is teach workshops. Gerald will focus primarily on songwriting, and I want to do workshops on leading worship and on 'performing' the Gospel. So for the rest of school, I'll be joining Allison in her class in a kind of assistant teacher role. Mike Allen also assists, so it'll be a fun team.

I was a little nervous going in today. Allison's class was always my favourite part of Stamps-Baxter. I know how much this means to the students; I know how much they want and need this kind of information. After each student would sing, Allison would give her feedback, but she would also invite me to give my thoughts. I tried to be encouraging, honest, and practical.

After the class, a few students made a point of thanking me for my feedback, and that was very encouraging. Allison also had some great encouragement for me, which was awesome. I really think I have the right skills to do this kind of teaching, but I also want to make sure I am well prepared before taking someone's talent in my hands. What we do as ministers of the Gospel is so valuable, and as artists, we are all so sensitive. I pray that I'm a positive force for each student I meet.

This evening, we were treated to an awesome concert by Mike and Kelly Bowling. I just love this group! Awesome songs and big-sing vocals! After they sang "The Lighthouse", they got the audience to sing the chorus acapella. Remember, this is a group that's been singing 4-part harmony all day long. Stunning. I couldn't sing along - I just had to listen and marvel. Mike and Kelly ended with Dad Speer's "I Never Shall Forget the Day", and Ben gave them a standing ovation. What a concert!

I'm really loving the group singing this year. I haven't been able to join in, but during that part of the day, I try to work where I can hear the music. It's just stunning. The CD is going to be amazing!

Stamps-Baxter - Day 2

This morning, I started my massage therapy for my neck. My massage therapist is married to a singer, so she understands the specific needs I have for my treatment. She also knows a lot about post-accident trauma, which is going to be very helpful. The treatment was good, and my treatment room was pink, so I'm totally going back.

Stamps-Baxter seems to be settling into its routine, which is good for us on staff. Many of the staff got to sit in on different events today, so that's a good sign. I want to give other staff members the chance to join in group singing, so I'm choosing to work the InfoCenter during those times. Of course, I'm also keeping the doors open so I can listen. It is so crazy beautiful.

This evening, we all gathered outside to take the group photo. After the shot had been taken, Tom Powell turned to us all and said, "You know the key," and started conducting "I am His, and He is Mine," a great old Dad Speer song. I learned my part a few years ago, so I was able to sing along. Wow. That's all I can say. Five years of singing school, and that four part harmony still gives me chills. I may need to sneak into group singing one day...

Today's concert was The Perrys! I so love them! Great songs, great vocals, and unlimited passion and conviction. When they sing, it's just amazing. It's like the tap into something deeper and bigger than the every day. And off stage, they were wonderful and gracious and happy to be supporting the school. Love them more and more!

Stamps-Baxter - Day 1

For the past 11 months, I've been working on putting this year's school together. Now, it's so well organized, that I hardly even know what's going on. I feel like I should know everything, but we have this great team of staff and volunteers, and I kind of feel like I know nothing. You know when you dream about your house, but it doesn't look like your house? It kind of feels like that.

We're still adjusting to the new venue, but other than that, we really can't complain. I spent a good deal of the day meeting new students and catching up with old friends.

I sat in on part of Allison Durham Speer's Performance Training class, and that was really good. I also moved my evening work out to the hallway so I could listen to group singing - truly glorious!

Tomorrow, I'm starting massage therapy. I'm still having problems with my neck from the accident, so I'm hoping this will help. I know too many people who have long term neck pain from a car accident, and I really want to avoid that.

Stamps-Baxter begins!

It's that time of year again - Stamps-Baxter has begun!

Today, we welcomed over 200 students and faculty from across the country and around the world for two weeks of Southern Gospel, shape notes, and just good times!

Today was Registration Day, which I call Reunion Day. When I first attended this school, I didn't realize the amazing community that exists beyond the two weeks of the school. All day long, I was sharing stories and getting hugs and being shocked at how much a preteen can grow in a year.

Even with the new venue, we're super organized this year. As a result, I don't need to pull the 12 and 14 hour days of yesteryear. At first I didn't know what to think of this, but with all Gerald and I need to do right now - lawsuit, moving, accident recovery - it'll actually be nice to have some personal time over the next few weeks.

Oh, and cool unrelated song moment: Last night, I was listening to Brandon Heath's CD in the car. When the song "London" started, I thought, "Wow, that sounds really familiar." When I checked the credits, I recognized the name of the cowriter, Chad Cates. I heard Chad sing this song at Write About Jesus in 2005! Crazy, huh? For a brief moment, I felt in the loop!

Vocals - Day 2

More vocals, more good stuff. Today we did:

- I Surrender All
- Softly and Tenderly
- Come Thou Fount
- Give Me Jesus

There are 2 more songs I need to do, but they'll need to wait 'til after Stamps-Baxter. I'm still frustrated that the CD is so far behind the original schedule, but I'm finding peace with it. I have to keep reminding myself that we're on God's schedule now, and I'm still just so grateful that Gerald and I are here and healthy enough to even think about recording songs.

I got the online galleries from last week's photo shoot. I'm pretty sure I know which cover shot I want, but it'll be a bit tougher to choose a great group shot. Lots to choose from, so that's good!

Back to Stamps-Baxter craziness tomorrow. Registration is this Sunday, so I'll be working long, long days from now til then.

Vocals - Day 1

Recorded vocals today for the hymns CD. We did:

- Just a Closer Walk
- My Jesus, I Love Thee
- Sweet Hour of Prayer
- Take My Life

Overall, it went really well. Six songs to go tomorrow, so I'm not talking tonight. Just sipping tea and resting and cuddling the puppies.

Godspell is on GMC - fond memories...