Song Festival Inspires and Uplifts

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Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Heidelberg area of Melbourne, Australia gathered on 19 August to rejoice together through music. 

Local Church leader, Richard McLean, said of the event, “The Song Fest was all we hoped it would be and more. There was a wonderful energy and enthusiasm – both as the committee organized the evening, and then on the performance night – to witness participants of all ages together sharing their talent in singing hymns and fun songs in their choirs, and as individuals.” 

The idea for the song festival was born after the last stake conference when two of the music directors wanted to see more music throughout the various congregations in the area, partly in an effort to boost the number of participants in future choirs for stake conferences.  

Arriving attendees mingled in the foyer outside the Heidelberg chapel for appetizers and sparkling non-alcoholic ciders, then gathered in the chapel for inspirational songs. 

Local Latter-day Saint, Patricia Cheung, helped to organize the event by providing musical items from congregations close by.  

“By helping each other out, we built more bonding between congregations,” she said. “I attend the Chinese [language] congregation, but also volunteered to help the Vietnamese [language] congregation with their practices. My 14-year-old daughter, Elise, volunteered to play piano for them because they are so nice! Music can really bring us together. In the past, we shared the same chapel, but we have never talked before. Now we are excited to see each other.” 

President McLean said, "The hymns brought Christ’s spirit into the evening as each choir sang with such conviction and love of the Saviour. There were wonderful emotions, with tears shed, and God’s love felt.” 

Latter-day Saints believe that uplifting music is a joy and a blessing, and that the Lord delights in “the song of the heart” similar to an offering of prayer. 

Hymn arrangements and other inspirational selections included, ‘I Need Thee Every Hour,’ ‘Because He Lives,’ ‘If the Saviour Stood Beside Me,’ ‘He,’ and an original piece entitled, ‘Only a Child.’ After each congregation finished this portion of the evening, everyone moved into the Cultural Hall for “Dinner in a Box” and “Fun Songs.”  

This began with audience participation to “Twist and Shout,” led by Vernice Petty, who also helped to organize the evening.  

Vernice said, “It was a struggle for congregations to get regular practices going or participation happening, but I know that ‘people who sing together, bond together.’ In my profession as a music teacher, I have seen the benefits of music in bringing community strength.” 

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The Vietnamese language congregation sang another favourite of the evening, which included children, in a rousing rendition of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” complete with large photo posters of farm animals and a local Church leader with a bucket hat holding a garden rake. 

The evening had the feel of a concert when cell phone flashlights came out, waving to the beat of the music. Others congregated in the back of the hall, which quickly became a dance floor. 

When the program concluded, impromptu encores took the stage and revealed talents otherwise unknown. 

One Church member’s visiting friend, Taiqi, said of the evening, “The food was delicious, and the music was uplifting.” 

Another attendee and friend of the Church, Hamish, agreed, “The music festival was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to join together, and share in the joy of music. I was moved by the talented members of the Church and their great musicianship!” 

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President McLean concluded by saying, “The fun songs brought a sense of appreciation for the talents God has given us. Members and friends of the Church really loved gathering and sharing with each other. People asked, ‘When is the next one,’ or, ‘Are we going to do this again?’ It was an evening that really struck most people with thoughts of wanting to repeat this experience.”