The place to strengthen, showcase, and share your musical gifts is MLC! In our instrumental and choral ensembles, you’ll find your people! Talented professors will push you in private lessons, and you’ll get to perform. The best part: The emphasis here—always—is serving God’s people and giving God glory.
Read on to meet four students performing in our Honors Recital on May 17. Here’s what we asked them:
- What have you loved about the music programs at MLC?
- What kind of call would you love to fill one day? (We know it’s in God’s hands, but if you could dream . . . )
- What should prospective students who are interested in music know about MLC?
Emma Mindock
(FVL / Mount Olive-Appleton WI)
Major: elementary ed & secondary Spanish ed
Emma Mindock
- What I have loved most about the music programs at MLC are the relationships I have formed with directors, teachers, fellow musicians, and the WELS community. Being a part of the College Choir for four years has allowed me to form Christian friendships that I know will follow me for the rest of my life. Going on the College Choir’s fall and spring tours has allowed me to share my faith in Word and song with others around the country. Being a part of a voice studio has allowed me to grow closely with my oh-so-talented teacher, Jenny Haugen, and to grow not only in my musical abilities but also as a young Christian woman. Taking organ and piano lessons has allowed me to share my gifts and edify worship for various WELS congregations, including my own. It is such a blessing to allow music to serve as the vehicle for personal growth as a Christian.
- I am a double major, studying elementary education and secondary Spanish education. I have chosen these areas of study because they license me to teach from K-12, giving me a wide variety of options to serve in the public ministry. If I had the choice, I would love to be called to a place where my Spanish-speaking abilities can be utilized. I also pray that I can serve in other areas I am passionate about, such as coaching a sport or teaching music lessons. I look forward to May 2025, my call day, because I am beyond excited to see how and where God decides I should best serve.
- If you are interested in music in any capacity, MLC provides the flexibility and individualized teaching to help you expand your abilities. There are dozens of musical outlets on campus (Praise Band, playing/singing for morning or evening chapel, Wind Symphony, choir, musical, recitals, etc.), and you can participate in many of them, even at the same time! I have personally loved being a student-athlete as well as a musician on campus, because there is always understanding between professors, coaches, and teachers as I juggle my passions from day to day. MLC is a special place because nowhere else can you participate in such a wide variety of extracurriculars that prepare you as a Christian individual for a life of service in public ministry. God is using you now, and He will continue to use you for his purpose wherever you go and whatever your passions are!
Ben Foster
(Grand Ledge HS / Emanuel First-Lansing MI)
Major: staff ministry & parish music
Ben Foster
- I have loved choir tours and playing for chapel! On choir tours, you get to sing to so many different churches. Often, we get to sing very emotional pieces. To see the joyful tears on church members’ faces as we get to proclaim the wonderful truths of the gospel is really encouraging! As an organist, I get to play almost monthly for chapel services. Getting to accompany the campus family in their glorious singing is really a joyful and awe-inspiring experience!
- I would love to be a minister of music/staff minister! I would love to teach adult/youth Bible studies and confirmation class while also being in charge of the music part of worship in a church. I would love to plan the hymns and liturgies that would be sung by a church in worship and prepare beautiful music for playing and singing in church.
- You should know that music is everywhereon this campus, and it’s all centered around Jesus. I came from public school all my life where we only did secular music. To come to MLC and have ALL of the music be centered around Jesus’ work for us—it was really an amazing experience. You will also be supported by AMAZING music professors whom you will form personal relationships with as they work to hone your craft!
Hope Sulzle
(LPS / St. John-Redwood Falls MN)
Major: elementary ed
Hope Sulzle
- MLC offers so many opportunities for students to use the musical gifts God has given them to serve him and his people. As a member of the College Choir, I love being able to travel to congregations across our synod to share God’s Word through song. I also love that MLC allows students to play for morning and evening chapel services. The music program at MLC also has many talented instructors who help students at any level grow in their musical abilities. Having these opportunities prepares students for serving in the public ministry.
- A call I would love to fill one day would be having my own classroom in the primary grades, helping students grow spiritually and academically. Additionally, I would love to apply what I’ve learned about music here at MLC to direct a children’s choir, teach piano lessons, and play for church.
- With many choirs, Wind Symphony, piano, organ, and instrument lessons, MLC students will always have opportunities to use their musical talents and abilities. Take the opportunities you get to be involved with music. It is completely worth it and a tremendous blessing as you prepare for service in God’s kingdom!
Joe Panning
(Litchfield HS / St. Paul-Litchfield MN)
Major: vocal music ed & instrumental music ed
Joe Panning
- Where to begin? One of the most exciting things we get to do is share the gospel in song on choir tour, which is a tremendous blessing for both us as the choir members and the congregations we visit. It’s a wonderful thing to grow closer to your classmates and meet so many great people all over the country, both young and old. Another thing I love is the small, tight-knit group of music majors here on campus. It’s a ton of fun to study the inner workings of music together, and we enjoy a close working relationship with our professors. However, it is just as fun to see students from a variety of programs come together to put together big performances, such as the Christmas concert and the Commencement concert. Words can’t express how special these concerts are!
- I am majoring in vocal and instrumental music, so I could end up as a choir or band director. I am especially interested in being a high school music director, be it instrumental or vocal. However, I am happy to serve wherever the Lord calls me.
- MLC offers so many unique opportunities for music that other colleges don’t. I would encourage anyone interested in music and ministry to reach out to an admissions counselor, professor, or student, and find out what MLC has to offer!
