Christmas with Smitty

If you didn't know this already, I love music. I grew up playing classical piano and have just never gotten over it... which brings me to last night. As a birthday present from Hubby, we went to a Michael W. Smith Christmas concert with the Symphony. First of all, Smitty is an extension of our family, as noted by the nickname. No, I've never met him; no, he doesn't know me from Adam's housecat. But his music has been a part of my life since as long as I can remember, and it makes me feel like I know him like an uncle or something. So getting to see him in concert was like a family reunion. Sort of. Anyway. Hubby and I had fabulous seats right behind the orchestra with an almost unobstructed view of the Man himself at the piano. We were shocked that the seats were so amazing yet so affordable! The music, the orchestration of many Christmas melodies and other pieces, the God-honoring atmosphere... it was probably by far the best concert I have ever been to. Before Smitty came out on stage, his right-hand man, Dave Hamilton (who is a co-composer and writer on many of Smitty's songs) conducted the orchestra in an arrangement of John Williams' score from Hook. Chills up my spine. After that, Smitty entertained us with some classic carols, some of his own Christmas songs, and a delightful collection of instrumentals. I am always blown away by a symphony orchestra, but this was just phenomenal. During one piece there was a small choir, the full symphony, and the ginormous organ at the front of the hall. It was like I picture heaven sounding -- majestic, sweet... there really aren't words to describe the fabulousness of the music we heard last night. It makes me praise the Lord for gifting so many people with the ability to make such music, and allowing them to come together to entertain us in worship (whether worship was intended or not).

Some favorite moments...

• When he played "Friends," he told the story of how when he had written it for some friends moving away, he thought to himself, "I kind of like this one!" He then commented that he had no idea he'd be playing it for the REST OF HIS LIFE.
• He played my favorite track from the Freedom album -- "the Giving".
• One word: BAGPIPES. (No, Smitty didn't play them.)
• Hubby's comment to me that Smitty strongly resembles Michael J. Fox... followed by an uncanny comment by Smitty himself: "Think, McFly!"
• A capella voices by the Prestonworld mini-choir.
• Knowing that the extremely uncomfortable seats were easily the best seats in the house; I'd be willing to sit uncomfortably like that for hours when the music is that good!
• Smitty gave all glory to the Lord as he left the stage, and He deserves it all!
  

We weren't supposed to take pictures, but Hubby was sneaky and managed a quick shot when the Camera Nazis weren't looking. It was taken using his iPhone, so the quality leaves something to be desired, but I'm glad we have proof that we were 20 or 30 yards away from one of my favorite recording artists of all time.