Dr. Matt Davis, Chief Executive Officer | Maranatha Baptist University
Dr. Matt Davis, Chief Executive Officer | Maranatha Baptist University
Over 200 high school students gathered at Maranatha's campus earlier this month for the 2025 Great Lakes Music Festival (GLMF), themed "Heaven and Nature Sing." The event offered participants a choice of musical tracks, including band, string orchestra, men's chorus, ladies' chorus, or piano. They also joined an all-festival chorus led by Dr. Doug Bachorik, chair of the music department. The festival provided a glimpse into Maranatha's music opportunities and campus life.
Students traveled from various states across the U.S., such as California, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. Grace, a participant in the band track, expressed her amazement at how students from different regions could come together to create music that "ultimately brings glory to God."
The GLMF aimed to introduce attendees to MBU's music culture and faculty. Under MBU faculty direction, university musicians rehearsed with high schoolers in preparation for a Saturday afternoon concert. School sponsors and parents also attended the festival. Sarah Jones, a music teacher from Rock County Christian School, highlighted the benefits of learning from different instructors and performing in larger groups. She noted that being part of a choir like this "boosts their confidence" and appreciated Dr. Bachorik's focus on the spiritual aspects of singing.
High school students were encouraged to stay in dorms during their visit to experience campus life fully. Jonathan, one participating student, remarked on how welcoming MBU faculty and students were: "Staying on campus in the dorms gave me a great feel for life from a student’s perspective at MBU."
The festival presented numerous benefits for attendees:
- Grow in musical ability
- Experience making music in large groups
- Learn under music professors' guidance
- Perform in a choir with over 200 members
- Tackle challenging repertoire
- Collaborate with university musicians
- Immerse in MBU campus life and culture
- Meet MBU music faculty and staff
- Forge new friendships
- Discover potential fit with MBU
Annabelle, who participated in the piano track, shared her positive experience: “The faculty and many students made me and my friends feel very welcome this weekend… I heard a few promos for Maranatha this week but I really think that being in the school environment speaks for itself.”
For those interested in next year's event, registration for Great Lakes Music Festival 2026 will open this November at mbu.edu/glmf.
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