A Magnificent Evening at Carnegie Hall!

Dr. Craig Jessop Directs at Carnegie Hall

The occasion was the FIFTH ANNUAL CARNEGIE HALL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL FESTIVAL on March 10.
The concert featured soloists soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme and baritone Stephen Powell performing with four choirs from Baltimore, Maryland; Raleigh, North Carolina; Santa Barbara, California; and State College, Pennsylvania.

At the concert, each choir performed repertoire under its own conductor before coming together to perform the Brahms work. In typical form, Dr. Jessop was a master at the director's podium as he lead the choirs and the Orchestra of St. Luke's in the brilliant Brahms German Requiem.

What a Wonderful Visit Backstage!

Almost as surprised as Craig, Ranae and Rick were, it was us who could hardly believe we were allowed backstage after the concert! We had no idea what the protocol was, but I asked an usher during intermission if it were possible to visit with Dr. Jessop's party. She told me to check with the house manager on the Parquet Level near the stage, but by then, there was no time before the Brahms was to begin after intermission.

Of course, Elder de Paula and I were so eager to see them, to express our gratitude for their being here tonight, for having worked with them for many years and to simply express (quite unexpectedly) our love and support for them 2,300 miles from home! (We were to have taught a CES Institute class on Monday evening, but one of our students from the Academy was out at sea and the other resigned from school to work and save money for his mission.

So...just two days before, we were free to go to the concert at Carnegie Hall and see Craig Jessop in action!) I slipped out of the concert for three or four minutes near the end, took the elevator down four levels, found the house manager's office, plead our case and went back to my seat. She could give me no answer because Dr. Jessop, of course, was on stage conducting!

What she did do was put our names on a list, told us to return to her office after the concert and wait then to see if clearance would be granted. (What if Craig didn't want to see us? Oh no!) We waited. In several minutes house manager answered her phone, then nodded at us and security. We got the go-ahead to proceed to Dr. Jessop's reception room, which meant he knew we were in the hall.

We knocked on a door, it opened, we spotted Ranae Jessop sitting across the room. She almost jumped out of her chair when she recognized us! She had not known we were in New York serving another mission, so it was a real surprise for her to see someone from "home."

Craig heard people talking, came out of another room, smiled, hugged us and in his always gracious style asked how we were. That is so "Craig!" One of our first comments to him was that the Brahms was simply marvelous! Craig's eyes lit up... "Did you like it?" Of course we did! In Craig's unique style, he lifted those young high school singers to the performance of their lifetime enabling them a musical experience not bestowed upon by many.

We told him we loved him and asked what the future would bring. His selfless comment was about his dear wife - that Ranae would have hip surgery on Monday and he would be helping her get through that. He would worry about "other things" later. The Jessops and those in their party left for Salt Lake City this morning.

A few days after this Carnegie Hall event, we mentioned to Craig in an email that we were certain the whole world has "a thousand questions about his resignation - none of which may ever be asked nor answered". Our purpose for visiting was not to invade their privacy, but to express our love and thanks for our many years in the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir under the leadership of Dr. Ottley and Dr. Jessop.

To be in the presence of Dr. Craig Jessop - this great servant and dear friend to millions - was a sweet experience for us. He is moving on without revealing all the details and we must do the same without knowing any of the reasons. It is time to follow his lead...again ...and move forward graciously.