Yeron’s years at ELSOM have helped him grow in musical skill, confidence, and faith as he learns violin, trumpet, and music theory and uses his talents to serve God in church.
Yeron has loved music since he was in Year 4 at school.
“In England they usually make you try an instrument,” he said. “But I actually liked it.”
His cousin first attended the East London School of Classical Music (ELSOM), and his mother was excited to learn it was an Adventist school of music. Soon, Yeron joined too. That was seven years ago.
“I’m very happy here,” he said. “The teachers are really, really good. They are patient. They teach well.”
Yeron began with violin. Last year he added trumpet. He studies music theory as well, learning how to read and understand music, not just play it.
“Sometimes it’s difficult,” he admitted, “but the teachers help us. They want us to succeed.”
ELSOM students perform in churches across London—in places like Brixton, Holloway, and Tottenham. Yeron especially remembers one special performance.
“We played for the Duchess of Gloucester,” he said. “We played the British National Anthem and hymns.”
What he likes most is that the music always honors God.
“The good thing about the songs we play,” he explained, “is that they always praise the Lord.”
At his home church in Tottenham, Yeron and his brother serve through music. His brother plays piano, and Yeron plays violin.
“We dedicated ourselves in the church to serve God,” he said.
Music hasn’t just taught him how to play an instrument. It has helped his faith grow.
“It has greatly impacted my faith positively for the Lord,” he said. “There’s no way we perform songs that don’t reflect God.”
Even when exams feel scary, he keeps going. Examiners from the prestigious Trinity College come to test their playing. Sometimes Yeron gets nervous, but he says that over time it gets easier
Yeron hopes to keep studying music for a long time.
“I want to study in this music school until Jesus comes,” he said with a smile.
Through violin, trumpet, and hymn singing, Yeron is learning more than music. He is learning to serve God with his gifts.
This Thirteenth Sabbath, you can help children in England who may not be able to attend a school like ELSOM but need someone to care about them. This quarter’s offering will help to create a Safe Space2Be for children in community schools who may feel worried, lonely, or afraid. The offering will also go to three other projects in the Trans-European Division, including: a Family Mission Center OIKOS church plan in Helsinki, Finland; expansion of KOMPAS, the first Adventist Primary School in Poland; and rebuilding the Seventh-day Adventist Church building in Zagreb, Croatia. Thank you for giving generously to the Thirteenth Sabbath offering this Sabbath!
