The AYMA Ensemble Experience will take place on the campus of Andrews University from June 27–July 6, 2025. [Photo credit: Vaughan Nelson]
Music faculty from Andrews, Pacific Union College, Southern University, Southwestern University, Walla Walla University, Washington Adventist University and Weimar University have collaborated to form a singular entity called the Adventist Youth Music Association (AYMA). Together, the association created the AYMA Ensemble Experience, a summer program on the Andrews University campus that will take place from June 27–July 6, 2025. According to a letter sent to Adventist churches by AYMA, the program aims to “glorify God, inspire our Seventh-day Adventist youth in their journey with music, and cultivate their God-given talents for use in ministry.”
AYMA’s music initiative includes three distinct stages. In stage one, Adventist students who are currently in grades nine to 12 in any education system have the opportunity to register for the ensemble before Nov. 10, 2024. To register, students must use the AYMA website to pay the $10 application fee and submit a solo performance video for review and feedback. Students are allowed to apply with multiple instruments, including vocal performance, and must submit additional registration requirements, including the fee, for each instrument with which they apply. Once registered, login credentials for the following stages will be sent via email by Nov. 17. Additional rules and restrictions can be found on the AYMA website.
Scoring results and feedback will be released for all entries on Dec. 24. Students who earn a high score in the stage one performance will be invited to audition again for a spot in AYMA’s Ensemble Experience. In stage two, students will be assigned excerpts from a repertoire of pieces that will later be performed by the ensemble, and they will be asked to submit video recordings of their best performance of those excerpts. More information about stage two will be available on AYMA’s website.
Finally, stage three will encompass participation in the AYMA Ensemble Experience, which will serve as a mentorship and growth opportunity for the students in attendance. AYMA promises that those selected from the stage two applicants “will engage in worship/discipleship, group lessons, masterclasses, musician health and wellness seminars and more.” Multiple performance opportunities will occur throughout the AYMA Ensemble Experience.
AYMA will uniquely impact Adventist performing arts students in an important and significant way. Max Keller, chair of Andrews University’s Department of Music, shared that the formation of the AYMA stages and initiatives are intentionally similar to “the popular solo and ensemble events that happen all across the country but often conflict with the Sabbath.” He hopes that “all high school students connected with an Adventist church” will participate.
General Conference President Ted N.C. Wilson shared his optimism for AYMA. “Music is such a blessing in our worship of God. Revelation 4 is one of the finest examples of heavenly worship and a dynamic model for us as we point people to Christ in our worshipful music glorifying God and not ourselves.” Wilson continued, “I urge each of you to support AYMA as it lifts up Christ and the musical talents He has given young people and all of us.”
Keller added that AYMA hopes to add more institutions to its list of growing members “very soon” as the organization seeks to create new opportunities for young Adventist musical talent. To learn more about AYMA, the Ensemble Experience or other opportunities through the Department of Music at Andrews University, please visit the Department of Music website.
Andrew Francis, University Communication student writer
