I was sitting at my desk, as I reached a hand across to answer my ringing phone. “Guess who’s flying to New York City!?” My parents surprised me, as they recounted how I had made it into The True North Choir. I was absolutely shocked. I would graduate from the University of Washington and then fly to New York City for rehearsals to eventually perform with Lauren Daigle at Carnegie Hall. Life didn’t feel real.
This experience was unlike anything I have ever been a part of. I got to enter into a community of people from different places and of different ages. We got to learn from one another musically and we bonded over the role we got to play in this once in a lifetime experience. We had rehearsals in different buildings around Times Square, and we got to unite in song for long hours of the day as we harnessed Daigle’s dynamic songs.
When the night of the concert finally came, and I stood inside a room backstage, I was filled with uncontrollable glee. I wasn’t scared or nervous, I was intent on taking this evening in and milking the moment for all its worth.
Throughout the performance, the choir and I experienced a wide range of emotions. We mostly smiled in pure bliss as we sang our hearts out. But near the end of the night, while singing “Love Like This”, we teared up, knowing this life-altering moment was coming to an end. The way the performance hall ricocheted our voices around the room brought tears to our eyes as we sang the line “what have I done to deserve love like this?” It was a beautiful moment where we surrendered ourselves as we praised God through the lyrics.
After our setlist of 20 songs was gone and done, we boarded a boat to celebrate. I loved every minute of this experience, and Lauren is such a genuine human being. There is truly nothing like being in a choir and I hope to be a part of one again someday.
EMILY DICKINSON 