Then Sings My Soul: KYTN Music Festivals makes comeback after a two-year break

The Kentucky-Tennessee Conference’s (KYTN) Music Festival returned after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. From March 2 to March 4, 2023, more than 300 students gathered at Highland Academy, Tenn., to showcase their musical talents in this year's festival: “Then Sings My Soul.”

The event was organized by the KYTN Education department alongside the Music Festival Committee. It featured a variety of musical performances from a middle school choir, academy choir, handbell choir, festival band, and a string assemble. A sacred concert was held on Friday night and a secular concert on Saturday night, each boasting more than 500 visitors.

“The concerts were very well put together and it all flowed really well,” said Stacy Bagshow, a parent of a Highland Academy student. “I love that [the Music Festival] gave students a chance to showcase their talents and meet friends from different schools.”

In addition to KYTN, there were also students who came from the Georgia Cumberland Conference and the Ohio Conference. In total, 15 schools were presented.

Students started practicing for their performance since the beginning of the year. Five clinicians joined the event to help direct the various choirs. During the concert, students performed songs such as “In Christ Alone, “When You Believe,” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”

“I loved that we played our hearts out for the Lord,” said Memphis Academy student, Rosie Fernandez. “It was an incredible experience, and I am just happy that I was able to be a part of it.”  

According to the KYTN Music Festival mission statement, the purpose of the music festival is to provide student an opportunity to expand their music skills for the purpose of “inspiring spiritual growth and enhancing cultural development.”