Death of a saint

I just found out that the world lost one its greatest musicians in July 2007. Most people have never heard of her, but for a group of girls, spanning several generations, she will forever be remembered. I will especially remember her on Sunday evenings during the summers or when I hear the song "Climb Every Mountain." I will remember her anytime I have the privilege of directing the children's choir at church. I will remember her when I'm asked to quote my favorite scripture. I will certainly remember her anytime I see the cover of one of those old Sing & Celebrate songbooks.

Judye MacMillan, or Judye Mac, served her Lord and Savior for countless summers as the music director at Camp Crestridge for Girls in Ridgecrest, NC. I had the opportunity to attend that camp for seven summers, and Judye Mac was always a vital part of my summer experience. In fact, when I picture the Crestridge chapel in my head, it's hard not to see her standing on stage leading the music. For many years, I was deathly afraid of her. Maybe afraid isn't the right word. I was in awe of her. Yes, that's it, AWE! She knew so much about music. She demanded excellence. One of my fellow Crestridge alumni described her as "commanding your attention." And she did. Not with a loud booming voice. Not with a mean spirit. But with a gentle, quiet strength. And we knew that everything she did, she did for God's glory.

She is the only woman I know that could take 40-50 girls, put a musical in their hands, and have it perfect and ready to share in four weeks, with just 1-2 hours of practice per day. And this was not just singing. There was drama! There was dancing! It was amazing! And, half of the girls left at the end of two weeks and were replaced with different girls. Somehow, it all worked out. I still remember the musicals, the songs, the motions, so much. And she did this on top of teaching songs for worship on Sunday mornings. One of the songs she taught me was called "A Man for all Seasons." I remember where I was standing when we learned that song. I remember her sharing with us how the song spoke to her. It's still one of my favorite songs.

There is only one other person in my life who has influenced me so much musically, and that is Carolynn Malmborg. Interestingly enough, Mrs. Malmborg and Judye Mac both attended Carson Newman College, both majored in music education, and attended during the same 10 year span. They are very similar in their approaches to directing choirs. It's almost spooky sometimes. I guess they learned from the best, and I am privileged to say, that I, too, learned from their best!

But the one thing I will never forget about Judye Mac is what she told my mom after closing program during my last summer as a camper in 1993. For some reason that year, I was heavily involved in the music skill classes. I sang in both ensembles, sang in the CCC choir, and took guitar. I'm not really sure why. I guess I knew it was my last year, and I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity to learn from Judye Mac and her music staff. Maybe I was just beginning to discover my love for music. I remember being selected to serve as the music assistant on camper day that year. I was so excited! I remember thinking, "Wow, they must think I can do this if they selected me. I didn't even know they knew my name!" A few days later, after rehearsal for closing program, I received one of the greatest honors of my life. It was time for camp awards to be given out. I had received awards in years past, for archery, puppets (only because I was the only person in the class over the age of 10!), and more, but there was one award that seemed to be coveted by everyone at camp, at least those of us who were musically inclined: the CCC Music Award. Looking back, I'm not sure why it held such high esteem in our minds, over all of the other awards, but now I think I'm beginning to understand. Receiving that award meant you received Judye Mac's seal of approval! I thought I had heard wrong when they called my name. Surely I was just hearing what I wanted to hear. That award still means more to me than I can describe with words, because I know that Judye Mac approved of me and at least for a moment, believed I was worthy of such an honor. But there is something that means more than that. After closing program that year, Judye Mac pulled my mom aside and uttered words that I will always remember. "Don't ever let her stop singing." I know that I am not the most talented singer in the world. I would probably never make it onto American Idol (even if I was still young enough). But those six words have encouraged me over the past 14 years over and over again. God reminded me of her words in college when I did not make it into the singing ensemble for our BSU. Little did I know that God had other great things in store for me that I would have missed if I had been a part of that group. God has used that encouragement countless times in my life, even at times when my pride was getting in the way of His plan. And I know that Judye Mac was not just referring to singing when she spoke those words to my mom. She was talking about using my talents to glorify my heavenly father, for now and evermore! Just as she taught us countless times to say I Am Willing Lord to play The Part that You Wrote for Me because we know that Nothing can Separate us from His Love.

This past December I did an internet search to find Judye Mac. I was going to email her and thank her for the influence she had on my life. I found her email address but got busy after the Christmas holidays and never took the time to send her a message. How I regret that now! I wish I could tell her how much she meant to me and how much she shaped my life, both musically and otherwise. We have truly lost a musical saint! I direct the children's choir at my church. We start rehearsals again in just a few weeks. I hope that I can be just 1/10 of the director for them that Judye Mac was for countless girls at Camp Crestridge. Thank God for Judye Mac and for the lives that she touched through her unselfish service to her Lord and Savior.