Orchestra rehearsals were begun in December of 2015. At the time, the youth were gathered for a youth convention at Camp Porumbacu, where many young people were present. Among them, there were those who could play different instruments but who didn't always have the courage to present musical items in public. An orchestra would be a chance for them to participate in praise without feeling overwhelmed.
Since then, together with Brother Demis Oz, the brethren decided to make provisions for these young musicians. Despite the fact that the youth are spread all around the country, and this could be a great disadvantage, the Lord helped the obstacle of distance to be overcome.
The first rehearsal was held at the headquarter of our church in Fagaras. At first, few people showed up and the plans were almost given up. At the first rehearsal, only those who were studying an instrument for less than one year or those who were self-taught came. And we had no conductor! Yet those who were present wanted to play, their love of music strengthening them on. So, Brother Demis started to seriously study how to become an orchestra conductor.
As time passed, the work began to be rewarded. More musicians joined. We began to have an experience together. Two years ago, the first summer music camp meeting took place in Romania. Youth from several other countries also joined us. At that time, Brother Isaac Terceros built on what had already been started to strengthen the musicians.
Last year (2017), the music camp took place in Hungary, and the Romanian orchestra participated. Because it has already become a habit, orchestra rehearsals are now held a few days before all youth meetings. For one week before the meetings, we met in Fagaras. We invited the young people in our country to form a national choir too. We repeated some old songs, and we learned new ones too.
Now our team has grown. We have parents who support us. Some young people who graduated from music academies come and share their knowledge with us. We have a wonderful God.
As we don’t want to miss any opportunity to praise God, we took advantage of this spring's youth meeting in Porumbacu. We rented a building in a small town in the neighborhood and invited the people by giving out invitations to our concert.
The national orchestra and choir participated, as well as other choirs from different parts of Romania: the choir from Northern Ardeal, from Banat, and from Southern Ardeal (Dei Gratia).
We thank God for this event at which we had about 200 attendees of whom 40% were visitors.
May God continue blessing the work of the musicians in Romania so that we may soon be joined together with the celestial choir and orchestra to praise His name forever.
