Vyborg Music Seminar: "Sing to God”

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, with all wisdom; teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing in grace to the Lord in your hearts."

Col. 3:16

The church "On the Rock" showed superb hospitality to those attending from all over - Petrozavodsk, Staraya Russa, Tikhvin, Volkhov, Kingisepp, Lomonosov, Kirovsk, St. Petersburg, Moscow. The St. Petersburg Central Church choir sang: "I believe." In total, more than 40 ministers took part.

The seminar was opened by the pastor of the local church - Valery Tolkachev. Further, Vyacheslav Morozov welcomed the participants retelling the history of the local Vyborg church.

The main lecturer and master class speaker was the Sacred Music Institute director, President of the Moscow Christian Center "Logos" - Kirill Goncharenko. Vocal master classes for youth and teenagers were conducted by Kristina Tyurina, of St. Petersburg.

All lectures and master classes were aimed at highlighting the main calling of sacred music - serving God through direct glorification of the Lord, edification and inspiration of believers. The word of God was being pointed to constantly from the pulpit, inspiring the choir directors, choir members and worship groups, helping them understand their path, both as a person and a servant of the gospel. The recent problems in church music ministry, the relevant and urgent difficulties that the church is facing today were very boldly discussed. Kirill fully and concretely presented complex, but fundamental historical and spiritual material for the singer. The participants of the seminar felt like they were studying at university level, of which cannot be compared to in Russia or anywhere else in the world. Unique and innovative choral studies were presented here. Kirill revealed the meaning of music as such, showed methods of breathing training, answered questions such as: What is sound? And what sound is from God? What is the power of music? What is the responsibility of the singer? He revealed the concept of a "musical minister" (from a simple singer to a leader) who is a preacher, missionary and even a priest! These and other truths penetrated and continue to penetrate into the souls of the seminar participants.

The information was taught in such a way that both an adult and a child could take a lot of instructive points for themselves, as well as practice and improve their singing skills. Everyone listened to the music, stopped and sorted it out by feel and chords, thought about what kind of spirit it was; they watched videos, gained an understanding of the sound of the voice, and they sang a lot, laughed, joked, also thought, meditated and prayed a lot. The atmosphere of friendship, deep mutual respect, brotherhood, unity, familial experience, mutual growth - that's what enveloped and filled the Vyborg Rock church during the seminar.

On the second day, the participants came with completely different faces, with shining eyes, with a smile in their hearts, cheerfulness in their voices and with an active desire to move forward in life.

This day a joint evangelistic service was held for visitors to the church "On the Rock". The “I Believe” choir, choristers and musical directors of the churches, who came to the seminar to improve their skills, united in a single praise. For many years there was no choir in this church, and this special service filled those who came with reverence and beautiful spiritual music. Plus the words of pastor Valery Tolkachev, and the evocative sermon of Kirill Goncharenko sowed the seed of faith in their hearts.

Also, in the evening, a separate meeting was held where Goncharenko met with the pastors of the Vyborg area, and topical issues of theology and practice of musical ministry were discussed. The day before the seminar in Vyborg, he shared his musical experience and understanding of the essence of the work of a chorister with members of the youth choir of the Central Church of the Baptist Church in St. Petersburg.

“Singing to God” was the name of the seminar. Teaching God’s people and bringing awareness of this, leads to a reasonable service to God (Rom 12:1-2), and further to serving loved ones, the church, and the brotherhood. 

Written by Victoria Yatsenko and participants of the seminar.