What are some expectations when a choir sings a piece for the first time? When a choir opens a piece for the first time and sight-reads, the singers struggle to sing the notes in front of them. However, with each practice, the choir’s confidence grows. They become more comfortable with the notes, style, and genre. Their initial struggles are replaced with a profound sense of accomplishment. This journey from uncertainty to confidence, from struggle to triumph, is a significant part of how a choir grows.

There are many more types of growth that happen within a choir. When a group like the Seminary Chorus unites, we grow in our friendships. The Seminary Chorus grows through God’s grace as he allows us to praise and proclaim his love to others. Growth occurs when we talk with our host families about Jesus and ministry. But what does that look like through the lens of a chorus member?

When I go on bus or car rides to a concert, I have the opportunity to socialize with my future colleagues and have meaningful conversations about God’s Word. These trips are not just about transportation but amazing fellowship with my fellow choristers. We have conversations that sharpen our faith, remind us of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and strengthen our bond as a choir. This fellowship is a significant part of our growth.

During a concert, I scan the congregation and see how the gospel touches people of all ages. When we sing, we are actually preaching the gospel in song. As I sing God’s Word, God grows my faith and trust in his promises. The audience’s receptiveness and engagement play a crucial role as I see the impact of God’s Word on their faith. When the congregation sings with the chorus, God reminds me of his promises through their singing, which strengthens my faith in God’s plan for me.

After each concert on tour, I stay with a host family. The host family, often someone I have never met, plays a crucial role in my growth. As I relax after a concert at the hosts’ house, I learn about their lives and how God has blessed them. Their faith, which God created in them, greatly influences me. They could be lifelong Christians who could remind me of God’s blessings. Or they could be new to Christianity and could remind me of the joy of God’s saving grace. Regardless, their presence and their stories contribute significantly to my growth. I am grateful for the host families’ hospitality and the conversations about faith. These conversations help my faith grow. They also motivate me to make sure that, when I serve as a pastor, I proclaim and explain God’s Word clearly, so that people like them can grow spiritually.

Singing in the Seminary Chorus not only grows our singing and playing abilities but also grows our faith through the ministry conversations with each other and our host families. As we travel and sing the gospel, we grow and remind each other of Christ’s love. I thank God for allowing me to sing in the Seminary Chorus. The growth I experience in the chorus equips me to help others grow.

Jordan Massiah is a 2025 graduate of the seminary. Jordan served as president of the Seminary Chorus during his senior year.

To learn more about the chorus or to find a concert near you, visit wisluthsem.org/about-wls/the-seminary-chorus/.