24 Jun 2025, 10:50Adina LupinGlasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
I hear music in me...
Interview with renowned choir director Maestro Samuel Santos
Glasgow Gospel Choir will hold a concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall this weekend in aid of the Beatson Cancer Charity. We interview renowned choir director, Maestro Samuel Santos in the run-up to the event.
I hear music in me…
All eyes are on Glasgow on Saturday 28 June, when the Glasgow Gospel Choir will hold a concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in aid of the Beatson Cancer Charity. The concert will take place at 6pm in the evening. While tickets are available free of charge, seats need to be reserved. It is billed as an unmissable event, and tickets are going very fast. Readers are encouraged to book tickets as soon as possible.
Glasgow Gospel Choir came into being in 2024 under the mentorship of Maestro Samuel Santos, a talented choir director living and working in Portugal. Through his passion to create and share music Maestro has and continues to transform lives wherever he can share his gift with others. To find out more about the Glasgow Gospel Choir and their director, we publish an interview that Adina Lupin conducted with Maestro Samuel Santos.
In this exclusive interview Maestro Samuel shares his journey with music from childhood until now, with enthusiasm and energy which is inspiring and contagious.
Adina Lupin (AL): Maestro let us start with your childhood. Were you born and raised in a Christian family? What has been significant for you during your childhood, and how did those experiences shape your adult life?
Maestro Samuel (MS): I was born in 1972 in Mozambique into an Adventist family. Due to the unstable social and political climate, I lived in Zimbabwe for a short time. I decided to move to Portugal, where I spent part of my childhood. The influence of music initially came from the Church. I have very strong memories of African choirs, and as a child I spent many hours watching church choir rehearsals, which had a strong impact on my childhood. Shortly after, my father decided to study Theology and at this time my family and I moved to France, where we lived on the Adventist University campus in Cologne. There I joined the youth choir of the Adventist Seminary and began my studies in organ and transverse flute in a rich multicultural environment. I can say that my childhood was extraordinary, full of experiences in an exciting and diverse environment with several different countries and languages. For as long as I can remember I have memories of my presence at rehearsals and special musical programs Saturday after Saturday. I feel fortunate and thank God for such a childhood. From a war refugee to a student recognized as gifted in music.
AL: Please share with us something about your family. How did you meet your wife? Do you have any children?
MS: After living in France and Switzerland, during my adolescence and youth I continued to accompany my family in their pastoral activities in various regions of Portugal, from north to south, including the Azores. I always maintained my musical studies and continued attending and supporting Adventist churches wherever I went. For some time, I was a military man and belonged to the blue helmets of the OTAN operational forces. Then I went to university, where I met the woman who would become my wife. I am blessed with an extraordinary wife Sandra, and a talented and beautiful daughter Serena, who has followed in my footsteps in terms of action and proactivity in church activities. My wife Sandra is a Math and Science Teacher and my daughter Serena studies Music and Nursing. As a family we created an artistic production company, and we manage a chain of private music and performing arts schools. Through teaching and producing music, we can enrich our personal ministry by transmitting our Christian values in a clear and unpretentious way. This enterprise has been a blessing to many people who, through our teachings and our concerts, have come to know God's love through the most altruistic expression of art, particularly music.
AL: When and how did you start your career and ministry in music?
MS: I can say that my career in ministry began in my childhood, when I was still a baby and was fascinated by the way in which the local hearts sang in my church in Africa. They were full of energy and shining with genuine and profound praise. Since then, I have always embraced what I consider to be a gift from God. As the son of an active Pastor, it was inevitable that I would also embrace the ministry of preaching. My sermons often sometimes overlapped with my musical interest, addressing questions of praise or artistic and musical issues. My studies also focussed on music. I completed a Master’s degree and then advanced towards Doctoral studies in music in Spain. I’ve been privileged to have a life full of activity, not only as a teacher in regular and higher education, but also as a conductor of choirs and orchestras in Portugal.
AL: Tell us about the journey you took throughout the years and how God has shaped your calling in music ministry. What have been some of the projects you have been involved with and what are you doing now?
MS: Throughout my musical career, both in secular and church settings, I have always felt blessed. God gave me the opportunity to work as a teacher in charge of music education at the Adventist College of Oliveira do Douro (near the city of Porto), where I have been teaching music for 27 years. It was a wonderful experience in ministry. While still in ministry, I directed a Gospel Choir for about 20 years in Matosinhos, on the seafront of the city of Porto. God gave me the responsibility of directing the large Adventist Symphony Orchestra and the Grand Choir (about 350 people) as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the Adventist Church in Portugal. My career also includes directing private music schools and directing two secular choirs, where I have been able to represent my country in international festivals. I conduct the MSS Consort Orchestra, a classical symphony orchestra, and many specific projects, such as string quartets and baroque and jazz chamber orchestras. Every year I produce an original musical that premieres at the Casa da Música in Porto (Oporto Concert Hall) with around 400 artists on stage, which is recognized as the largest concert of its kind in this space. I can be grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to fulfil myself as a musician while maintaining my principles, namely keeping the Sabbath. It has been enlightening and enriching to witness the presence of God at every step. This has given me the opportunity to be a recognized and respected professional musician in the secular world, and I have always found a way to protect myself regarding keeping the Sabbath. Even in more technical matters, such as choosing repertoires and concerts that sometimes clash directly with our beliefs. I can say that the Lord has helped me to this day!
AL: What other passions do you have, besides music?
MS: In my spare time I enjoy painting and plastic arts. I also practice canoeing, climbing, hiking and diving.
AL: You are the Musical Director for the Glasgow Gospel Choir. How was this choir established? Why are you so invested in it and what has been your experience supporting Glasgow Church to develop in this area of music ministry?
MS: I came to the Glasgow Gospel Choir through a childhood friend who put me in touch with Pastor Claudiu for the Impact Glasgow 2024 project. I accepted the invitation and so began what was then called the "Impact Gospel Choir". The Adventist church in Glasgow accepted the project and within a few months we had put together an extraordinary Gospel music programme. I must mention that the Glasgow Church welcomed me in a wonderful, hospitable and warm way and agreed to a more professional rehearsal regime. The initial result of this was seen and heard at the Gospel concert in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall last summer. This was a high point for the project and an unprecedented opportunity to witness. In a highly secularised world, it is clear how difficult it is for the church to carry out its mission to witness for Christ through our high Christian values. This difficulty, however, is diluted when we transmit this same gospel and Christian warmth through music, and if music is a genre that is appreciated by society in general it is even better! That is where we come in! Today the project continues under the name Glasgow Gospel Choir, and we intend to occupy this space as the Gospel Choir of the city of Glasgow, an inclusive choir open to the community. It is a missionary choir in very essence. In the rehearsal work this year we have enriched our repertoire. We held a concert at Dundee Church. This was a highlight of the fellowship Saturday that took place there. I recognize the effort that choir members put in. Their commitment motivates me particularly. It is not always practical to travel and come to rehearsals, but in a spirit of mission and observing all the work that the church must advance, it drives me to give my best artistic and professional contribution. What we are doing here is undoubtedly very important! It is unique and blessed. The choir has an extraordinary energy and accompanies me in the form and content of the interpretation that is evident, energetic, contagious, lively. It is made up of a non-homogeneous set of vocal timbres in four mixed voices. I believe it is a small but powerful example of what celestial choirs will be like!
AL: Do you have a testimony to share about how being the director of Glasgow Adventist Choir has influenced your life?
MS: My adventure with Glasgow Adventist Choir goes far beyond my musical relationship with the members. It is an experience of overcoming. During my mission with Glasgow, I really experienced the power of prayer and experienced a health miracle. As I look back over the collaboration with the church over the last eighteen months, it feels unbelievable that I have undergone two cardiothoracic surgeries in the same period. Furthermore, there was a fight against a multi-resistant bacterium that only ended miraculously after the laying on of hands by several pastors during the concert in Dundee. Much prayer of intercession and resilience made my experience in Scotland go beyond music and become the most profound spiritual experience I have ever had, an experience that places my ministry in Glasgow at the epicentre of my relationship with God. I am vehemently grateful for each prayer of intercession. Today I am even more motivated to continue bearing witness to this friendship in this wonderful environment that the church in Glasgow provides.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu, the visionary behind the Glasgow Gospel Choir, shares his experience in partnering with Maestro Samuel for this mission focused project: Although I’m not a professional musician, I’m a strong believer in the role of music especially when professionally performed in evangelism by attracting people, creating a welcoming atmosphere and conveying spiritual truths. My experience so far is that the music is a powerful tool, not enough used in our churches, to connect with individuals on an emotional level, to foster a sense of community in order to open hearts to the message of faith. I felt immensely blessed to have met Maestro Samuel who became a close friend who shares a similar vision and very grateful for his commitment to his faithful ministry within Glasgow city. Our next project is to build bridges with other denominations through the power of music.
Glasgow Gospel Choir has dedicated its ministry to support the efforts of Beatson Cancer Charity, by organizing various musical events aimed to fundraise for the charity’s needs. On June 28th, the Glasgow Gospel Choir holds a Concert at the Royal Concert Hall, in aid of Beatson charity. Entrance is free but admission is with e-tickets only. Please use this link to purchase your tickets:
Glasgow Gospel Choir will hold a concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall this weekend in aid of the Beatson Cancer Charity. We interview renowned choir director, Maestro Samuel Santos in the run-up to the event.
I hear music in me…
All eyes are on Glasgow on Saturday 28 June, when the Glasgow Gospel Choir will hold a concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in aid of the Beatson Cancer Charity. The concert will take place at 6pm in the evening. While tickets are available free of charge, seats need to be reserved. It is billed as an unmissable event, and tickets are going very fast. Readers are encouraged to book tickets as soon as possible.
Glasgow Gospel Choir came into being in 2024 under the mentorship of Maestro Samuel Santos, a talented choir director living and working in Portugal. Through his passion to create and share music Maestro has and continues to transform lives wherever he can share his gift with others. To find out more about the Glasgow Gospel Choir and their director, we publish an interview that Adina Lupin conducted with Maestro Samuel Santos.
In this exclusive interview Maestro Samuel shares his journey with music from childhood until now, with enthusiasm and energy which is inspiring and contagious.
Adina Lupin (AL): Maestro let us start with your childhood. Were you born and raised in a Christian family? What has been significant for you during your childhood, and how did those experiences shape your adult life?
Maestro Samuel (MS): I was born in 1972 in Mozambique into an Adventist family. Due to the unstable social and political climate, I lived in Zimbabwe for a short time. I decided to move to Portugal, where I spent part of my childhood. The influence of music initially came from the Church. I have very strong memories of African choirs, and as a child I spent many hours watching church choir rehearsals, which had a strong impact on my childhood. Shortly after, my father decided to study Theology and at this time my family and I moved to France, where we lived on the Adventist University campus in Cologne. There I joined the youth choir of the Adventist Seminary and began my studies in organ and transverse flute in a rich multicultural environment. I can say that my childhood was extraordinary, full of experiences in an exciting and diverse environment with several different countries and languages. For as long as I can remember I have memories of my presence at rehearsals and special musical programs Saturday after Saturday. I feel fortunate and thank God for such a childhood. From a war refugee to a student recognized as gifted in music.
AL: Please share with us something about your family. How did you meet your wife? Do you have any children?
MS: After living in France and Switzerland, during my adolescence and youth I continued to accompany my family in their pastoral activities in various regions of Portugal, from north to south, including the Azores. I always maintained my musical studies and continued attending and supporting Adventist churches wherever I went. For some time, I was a military man and belonged to the blue helmets of the OTAN operational forces. Then I went to university, where I met the woman who would become my wife. I am blessed with an extraordinary wife Sandra, and a talented and beautiful daughter Serena, who has followed in my footsteps in terms of action and proactivity in church activities. My wife Sandra is a Math and Science Teacher and my daughter Serena studies Music and Nursing. As a family we created an artistic production company, and we manage a chain of private music and performing arts schools. Through teaching and producing music, we can enrich our personal ministry by transmitting our Christian values in a clear and unpretentious way. This enterprise has been a blessing to many people who, through our teachings and our concerts, have come to know God's love through the most altruistic expression of art, particularly music.
AL: When and how did you start your career and ministry in music?
MS: I can say that my career in ministry began in my childhood, when I was still a baby and was fascinated by the way in which the local hearts sang in my church in Africa. They were full of energy and shining with genuine and profound praise. Since then, I have always embraced what I consider to be a gift from God. As the son of an active Pastor, it was inevitable that I would also embrace the ministry of preaching. My sermons often sometimes overlapped with my musical interest, addressing questions of praise or artistic and musical issues. My studies also focussed on music. I completed a Master’s degree and then advanced towards Doctoral studies in music in Spain. I’ve been privileged to have a life full of activity, not only as a teacher in regular and higher education, but also as a conductor of choirs and orchestras in Portugal.
AL: Tell us about the journey you took throughout the years and how God has shaped your calling in music ministry. What have been some of the projects you have been involved with and what are you doing now?
MS: Throughout my musical career, both in secular and church settings, I have always felt blessed. God gave me the opportunity to work as a teacher in charge of music education at the Adventist College of Oliveira do Douro (near the city of Porto), where I have been teaching music for 27 years. It was a wonderful experience in ministry. While still in ministry, I directed a Gospel Choir for about 20 years in Matosinhos, on the seafront of the city of Porto. God gave me the responsibility of directing the large Adventist Symphony Orchestra and the Grand Choir (about 350 people) as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the Adventist Church in Portugal. My career also includes directing private music schools and directing two secular choirs, where I have been able to represent my country in international festivals. I conduct the MSS Consort Orchestra, a classical symphony orchestra, and many specific projects, such as string quartets and baroque and jazz chamber orchestras. Every year I produce an original musical that premieres at the Casa da Música in Porto (Oporto Concert Hall) with around 400 artists on stage, which is recognized as the largest concert of its kind in this space. I can be grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to fulfil myself as a musician while maintaining my principles, namely keeping the Sabbath. It has been enlightening and enriching to witness the presence of God at every step. This has given me the opportunity to be a recognized and respected professional musician in the secular world, and I have always found a way to protect myself regarding keeping the Sabbath. Even in more technical matters, such as choosing repertoires and concerts that sometimes clash directly with our beliefs. I can say that the Lord has helped me to this day!
AL: What other passions do you have, besides music?
MS: In my spare time I enjoy painting and plastic arts. I also practice canoeing, climbing, hiking and diving.
AL: You are the Musical Director for the Glasgow Gospel Choir. How was this choir established? Why are you so invested in it and what has been your experience supporting Glasgow Church to develop in this area of music ministry?
MS: I came to the Glasgow Gospel Choir through a childhood friend who put me in touch with Pastor Claudiu for the Impact Glasgow 2024 project. I accepted the invitation and so began what was then called the "Impact Gospel Choir". The Adventist church in Glasgow accepted the project and within a few months we had put together an extraordinary Gospel music programme. I must mention that the Glasgow Church welcomed me in a wonderful, hospitable and warm way and agreed to a more professional rehearsal regime. The initial result of this was seen and heard at the Gospel concert in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall last summer. This was a high point for the project and an unprecedented opportunity to witness. In a highly secularised world, it is clear how difficult it is for the church to carry out its mission to witness for Christ through our high Christian values. This difficulty, however, is diluted when we transmit this same gospel and Christian warmth through music, and if music is a genre that is appreciated by society in general it is even better! That is where we come in! Today the project continues under the name Glasgow Gospel Choir, and we intend to occupy this space as the Gospel Choir of the city of Glasgow, an inclusive choir open to the community. It is a missionary choir in very essence. In the rehearsal work this year we have enriched our repertoire. We held a concert at Dundee Church. This was a highlight of the fellowship Saturday that took place there. I recognize the effort that choir members put in. Their commitment motivates me particularly. It is not always practical to travel and come to rehearsals, but in a spirit of mission and observing all the work that the church must advance, it drives me to give my best artistic and professional contribution. What we are doing here is undoubtedly very important! It is unique and blessed. The choir has an extraordinary energy and accompanies me in the form and content of the interpretation that is evident, energetic, contagious, lively. It is made up of a non-homogeneous set of vocal timbres in four mixed voices. I believe it is a small but powerful example of what celestial choirs will be like!
AL: Do you have a testimony to share about how being the director of Glasgow Adventist Choir has influenced your life?
MS: My adventure with Glasgow Adventist Choir goes far beyond my musical relationship with the members. It is an experience of overcoming. During my mission with Glasgow, I really experienced the power of prayer and experienced a health miracle. As I look back over the collaboration with the church over the last eighteen months, it feels unbelievable that I have undergone two cardiothoracic surgeries in the same period. Furthermore, there was a fight against a multi-resistant bacterium that only ended miraculously after the laying on of hands by several pastors during the concert in Dundee. Much prayer of intercession and resilience made my experience in Scotland go beyond music and become the most profound spiritual experience I have ever had, an experience that places my ministry in Glasgow at the epicentre of my relationship with God. I am vehemently grateful for each prayer of intercession. Today I am even more motivated to continue bearing witness to this friendship in this wonderful environment that the church in Glasgow provides.
Pastor Claudiu Popescu, the visionary behind the Glasgow Gospel Choir, shares his experience in partnering with Maestro Samuel for this mission focused project: Although I’m not a professional musician, I’m a strong believer in the role of music especially when professionally performed in evangelism by attracting people, creating a welcoming atmosphere and conveying spiritual truths. My experience so far is that the music is a powerful tool, not enough used in our churches, to connect with individuals on an emotional level, to foster a sense of community in order to open hearts to the message of faith. I felt immensely blessed to have met Maestro Samuel who became a close friend who shares a similar vision and very grateful for his commitment to his faithful ministry within Glasgow city. Our next project is to build bridges with other denominations through the power of music.
Glasgow Gospel Choir has dedicated its ministry to support the efforts of Beatson Cancer Charity, by organizing various musical events aimed to fundraise for the charity’s needs. On June 28th, the Glasgow Gospel Choir holds a Concert at the Royal Concert Hall, in aid of Beatson charity. Entrance is free but admission is with e-tickets only. Please use this link to purchase your tickets:
