A Weekend of Music and Mentorship
In late September, Seraphic Fire traveled to Rochester, Minnesota, for a weekend of music making and mentorship with the Sing! Out Loud Girls Ensemble. Over the course of two days, our six professional singers worked with approximately 70 young women, ranging from middle school through senior high school. Together, we created an experience that blended artistry, education, and community. This collaboration reflected Seraphic Fire’s mission to present the highest-quality performances of historically significant and underperformed music, while promoting community connectivity through educational programs.
The visit was made possible through the support of the Clinton Family Fund, whose commitment to arts and education helped bring this program to life.
Building Confidence Through Song
Saturday featured two intensive workshops led by Seraphic Fire artists, designed to strengthen both vocal and ensemble skills. Students explored challenging repertoire and received individualized feedback from our singers, who modeled professional-level musicianship while encouraging each participant to find her own voice. The day concluded with an uplifting performance that showcased the energy and dedication of both ensembles.
On Sunday, Seraphic Fire singers joined the young women in their regular ensemble rehearsals, singing alongside them and offering encouragement in real time. This approach allowed the students to hear how professional voices fit into their sections while also receiving targeted support on difficult passages. The result was a rehearsal that felt more like a community of musicians learning together than a traditional classroom.
Suzanne Floyd, Seraphic Fire’s Director of Education, reflected on the impact of the weekend.
“What struck me most was the courage of these young singers. They approached every challenge with openness and determination, and it was inspiring to see how quickly they grew in confidence. Experiences like this remind us why music education matters. It shapes not only better singers, but stronger, more confident young people.”
About Sing! Out Loud
The partnership was a natural fit with the values of Sing! Out Loud, an organization dedicated to empowering young women through music. Their vision is to inspire young people to realize their highest potential and to impact the world through singing. Their mission emphasizes creating an inviting and safe community where students can build confidence, develop artistry, and gain a broader world perspective.
At the heart of Sing! Out Loud are five core values. The first is courage, the courage to be yourself. The second is bravery, the bravery to try to impact the world. The third is pride, the pride of knowing oneself inside and out. The fourth is love, the love of one another as human beings. And the fifth is openness, the openness to learn, grow, and change. These values were on full display in Rochester as students pushed themselves musically, supported each other, and discovered the transformative power of singing together.
Shared Purpose
For Seraphic Fire, this collaboration was more than a workshop. It was an extension of our mission to advance art through the development and refinement of musicians, while also strengthening community through education. By working with organizations like Sing! Out Loud, we are able to connect the next generation of singers with the professional artists who model excellence in vocal music.
The impact of the weekend was evident in the students’ smiles, the energy in the rehearsals, and the pride in the final performance. More importantly, it showed what can happen when two organizations with aligned missions come together to share the gift of music.
As Suzanne summed up, “We left Rochester inspired by these young women. Their talent and spirit give us hope for the future of choral music, and we are grateful to have been part of their journey.”
