I remember going out for a walk on the beautiful countryside property surrounded by mountains. We had just finished the afternoon practice, and I had gone outside to catch my breath before the next practice. I took in a deep breath of fresh mountain air. While admiring the scenery, I tried to imagine what heaven would be like. To me, this place was like a mini replica of paradise. I’d like to think heaven would look a little bit like this. As I continued my walk around the campus, I wondered what paradise will sound like. Will it be quiet and peaceful? Or will there be sounds of children laughing and playing? Or maybe the sky will be filled with songs of birds chirping?

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when I heard the tuba play a funny-sounding note off-key. I quickly checked the time on my phone. Five minutes and practice would begin. I skipped accross the lawn, hopped up the steps, and rushed into the building. Dodging people this and that way, I finally made my way to my room. I scrambled to grab my flute and sheet music and back out the door I dashed. Breathing a sigh of relief I entered the room just in time. Brother Isaac Terceros, our teacher and conductor who is also a member of the Music Department of the GC, greeted the students cheerfully. As always he was excited for this afternoon’s lesson. His happiness and positive energy were contagious and made us forget about how tired we were. I couldn’t wait to see which new songs we would learn this time. I quickly found my seat and began to warm up my flute. “Let’s tune the instruments,” Isaac announced, “Today we will play the Hallelujah Chorus!” Everyone turned to look at each other with sparkling eyes. It was finally time to practice everyone’s favorite piece.

We were at a summer music school called Echoes from Paradise in Porumbacu, Romania. This was one of the many summer music schools the SDARM GC Music Department has had around the world. For example, in Brazil they have already had more than one of these special events. Praise the Lord that we had the opportunity to have one in Europe for the very first time.

The purpose of this summer music school was to discover and help the youth improve their precious musical talents. The Music Department of the GC organized music history, theory, and orchestral conducting classes. The fact that the 150-talented participants were good musicians with a love for music and lots of energy helped make a wonderful orchestra and choir.

It was a very busy schedule we had from August 15–21. During the week, we prepared a special repertoire for the choir and orchestra. Every day we practiced and studied in the various classes. Daily, after morning worship and breakfast, we listened to Sister Barbara Montrose, who had presentations about the history of music from a Christian perspective. We learned about how music affects our brains, and how to tell the difference between good and bad music. Following the presentation, the choir and orchestra had practice separately. At the end of the day, the choir and orchestra would unite to practice together. We would usually finish practicing around 10 p.m. Exhausted but happy with what we had accomplished that day, we would be dismissed to go to sleep. However, after all that practice, some of us found it hard to leave the room. Brother Isaac, the conductor, would bring his flute and we all played and sang together. Music brought us together, and through music we brought glory and praise to our Creator.

From Friday to Sunday, we attended the weekend public conference. The choir and the orchestra formed in Porumbacu had the opportunity to present a concert in Stupini, close to Brasov. People from all over Romania and other countries in Europe attended the meetings.

On Saturday night we had the close of the conference. Brother Marcos Pedrazas, leader of the Music Department of the GC, who also taught at the school and conducted the choir and orchestra, announced the last song. What followed was dead silence as the choir and orchestra watched for the signal from the conductor to begin the last song. I took a moment to scan the room: the congregation, the orchestra, the choir—so many people gathered in the house of God, all eager to sing praises to our loving Creator. I could only imagine how we will all gather in heaven to praise God.

I turned my attention back to the conductor who just then lifted his arms in signal to the orchestra. We all lifted our instruments in position to play. The next moment a most glorious sound filled the auditorium. The audience stood up in unison for the Hallelujah Chorus, as tradition has been for years. I cannot put into words how awe-inspiring it was being surrounded by instruments of every kind and a choir of angelic voices. I played flute—which meant the trumpets were right behind me. The sound was overwhelming, echoing throughout the concert hall.

Suddenly, it clicked in my head. Echoes—Echoes from Paradise! This beautiful music is just an echo of what Paradise sounds like! I decided right then and there that I wouldn’t want to miss singing the Song of the Lamb when we all get to heaven one day. I would like to hear more than just an echo. Wouldn’t you?