Experiencing celestial joy through music

BY SARAH HUNT

Music has been known throughout the world as a means for expression and unification. “It is not happenstance that we call music the ‘universal language,’” said

Brandon Stewart, founder, CEO, composer-in-residence and musical director of Millennial Choirs and Orchestras. “It feeds the spirit, unites the human family, and elevates us to heaven.”

Brandon and his brother, Brett Stewart, created the organization as a way to encourage volunteer singers and musicians to cultivate their skills in sacred music to the highest level possible. Auditions are held only for adults. People age 18 and under can join without previous training.

“My old college voice professor used to say to me, ‘Singing is not just for the chosen.’ The longer I do this, the more I am convinced this is true,” Brandon said. “With great inspiration, teaching, devotion and guidance, anyone can learn to create music.”

For many, connection to deity and feeling joy are one inseparable thing. Brandon says he sees this kind of joy every week from choir members during practices and performances.

The younger members, starting at age 4, can sometimes be seen mimicking the conducting, shaking with excitement and passionately singing sacred songs with all their might — all while grinning from ear to ear.

“I’ve had multiple people approach me following a concert and say, ‘That is the closest thing to heaven I’ve ever felt,’” Brandon said. “The burdens and darkness of the world melt away. Light, joy, hope and truth take over. That is the power of good, relatable, wholesome spiritual music.”

Brandon and Brett grew up in southern California in a home that was consistently filled with sacred and uplifting music. They were inspired to gain an education in music when their older sister began singing in choirs and learning how to play the piano.

Brett earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in piano performance, his masters from California State University, Long Beach in choral conducting and doctorates from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in choral conducting with cognate studies in composition.

Brandon received his undergraduate degree from BYU, double majoring in vocal and piano performance, and his graduate degree from the Juilliard School.

While studying to become a college music professor, Brett had a dream where the duo’s high school choral mentor, Ted Reid, assured him that he already knew his path in life. The making of the Orange County (now California) chapter of MCO unfolded before Brett and he awoke with a mission to bring the choir to life. He called Brandon to ask if he would be a co-founder, and just like that, the Millennial Choir and Orchestras was born.

Neither brother expected the program to grow into what it is today — seven locales across five states, with a new eighth location being determined through an Instagram contest.

Melissa Tyler, who has been with MCO since 2012 as a singer and managing director, grew up singing with her family and in school, but put vocal performance on pause after getting married.

She began singing in their Grand Chorus as an alto section one member, which stretched her abilities as an accustomed soprano. For her, music brings more than just joy.

“It also renews my spirit when I sing in the Grand Chorus. It fills my well with love, grace, compassion, and spiritual insight like nothing else can, (because music) is the language of the gods,” Tyler said. “It calms me, consoles me, revives me, and helps me commune with my Savior.”

Debra Bonner, a vocal performer that is well-known in the Church and sings with her husband Harry and eight children as The Bonner Family, seconded this sentiment.

“We have testimonials from people who say they have felt the Spirit like they hadn’t felt it before,” Debra Bonner told LDS Living. “Gospel music is powerful. And that’s because it speaks of the Savior. It speaks of His love for us and His atoning sacrifice, that we love Him, that we praise Him — that He lifts us.”