During MLK weekend, Opus, Collegedale Academy’s 33-member auditioned choir, went on tour to Florida.

The first opportunity they had to minister was at Jacksonville Adventist Academy, where they sang for chapel. Afterward, the group was given a tour of ADU and Florida Hospital.

On Sabbath, the choir sang for Forest Lake Church and then headed to Florida Living Nursing Center. There, the students sang for a group of elderly, with problems ranging from dementia to Alzheimer’s.

“I have a passion for the elderly; visiting the nursing home brought me joy at the fact that we could brighten their day,” Senior Alexandra Griffin said.

As the sun began to set, Director Miss Bishop called everyone together for worship.

“It was very genuine; everyone opened up and shared their spiritual experience,” Junior Dylan Ford said.

Mrs. Holland, English teacher and trip chaperone, commented on the tone of the choir: “Every time they sing it’s more than just songs: it’s a spiritual experience. I feel God’s presence each time they sing.”     

Saturday evening the group had the opportunity to go to Downtown Disney and spent their entire Sunday at Disneyworld.

Bishop summed up the trip with this: “My prayer for Opus has been that they would experience something that can only be experienced through singing in an academy choir. I feel like my students have had beautiful bonding, Holy Spirit moments because we’ve dedicated our time to sing for the Lord.”