San José, Costa Rica
Birmingham Praise Orchestra
June 28 - July 6, 2027
San José, Costa Rica
Meet our host, Leslie Gomez:
My wife and I were active missionaries in Mexico from 1989 through 2011. In 2011 we moved to Costa Rica and I remain active in music ministry. Specifically, I am starting a community Christian orchestra (none exist until now).
From 1979 through the beginning of 1989 I worked at a missionary entity called the Baptist Spanish Publishing House in El Paso, TX. There I learned how to publish music. Since then, I have been publishing music that has been distributed throughout Latin America. That is part of the reason that I thoroughly identify with Camp Kirkland's lifetime music publications.
We extend an invitation for an exciting collaboration & community project in Costa Rica! Our goal is to use music to transform lives and strengthen our local community. Partnering with high-skill and/or professional musicians would be a dream come true for our local musicians. Join forces with local Christian musicians to share God’s love through music.
We are thrilled to welcome you to Costa Rica soon! While your concerts will be a blessing, we are building something that lasts. The first GMP orchestra visit to Costa Rica caused quite an impact. In the concerts that were done during that tour (February 2025) I was able to meet local key musicians that shared a common bond with my desire to serve through music. We have done some brainstorming in the past months, which have lead us to the conclusion that the Lord is stirring our hearts to start a local Christian orchestra. At least 20 people have signed up and we are currently having our first rehearsals. The challenge is that these new recruits (children, youth and adults) are spread out over a wide geographical area. Handing out instrumental parts and audio guides is a top priority so that they can practice their at home and then come together well prepared for rehearsals.
Project Objectives:
MENTOR - We need your expertise. We invite you to join us not just to perform, but to mentor those musicians that might be at a very elementary level, or intermediate or even advanced level.
TEACHING - Think about leading a masterclass, sharing technical skills, or conducting a workshop with our local team.
EDIFY - By partnering together, you will directly help strengthen the spiritual and artistic foundation of a new local project, leaving a legacy of worship long after your trip ends."
SECURE MATERIALS or INSTRUMENTS - Would you consider helping us get several meaningful orchestrations (mid difficulty) that will challenge our local orchestra to develop skills in performing music with a Christian message? You might even consider donating a used instrument that has not been played for a while, or assist in maintenance support for our start-up orchestra? We are lacking in percussion instruments commonly used in many Christian hymn arrangements.
This project will be led by Dan Mullis & David Vaughan.
Project Highlights:
Help the new start up Christian orchestra to pursue habits of excellence: easeful playing, expressiveness, accuracy, rhythmic vitality, beautiful tone, focused attention, and a positive attitude as a servant of Christ through music.
Our plan is also to revisit some of the key sites from your previous tour such as the Christian marching band (Tsidkenu), which is an incredible ministry of more than 150 band members that live and work in a high-risk community (Barranca) where crime is prevalent. We will also team up with the symphonic band at Monterrey Christian School.
We will be doing live concerts at churches and in communities where we need to present the Gospel in a meaningful way.
Help us create a musical partnership with strategic spiritual and artistic impact that serves this community for years to come.
Project Location(s) and Dates:
Dates: June 28 - July 6, 2027
Place: San José (capital of Costa Rica) is where we will spend most of the time.
Airport name: Juan Santamaría International Airport. The airport code is: SJO
Cost:
The cost for this Music Mission Project is $3,450 and includes air and ground transportation, tips, accommodations, breakfast, several dinners, insurance, Project Development, entrance fees and a GMP Travel Leader. The cost can be divided into multiple payments.
Charitable Donation:
Global Missions Project is a nonprofit, non-denominational Christian ministry dedicated to creating global ministry opportunities for Christian musicians. Contributions to GMP and certain qualified ministry-related expenses may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your individual circumstances.
Open Spots
Flute - 4
Oboe - 1
Clarinet - 4
Bass Clarinet - 1
Bassoon - 1
Alto Sax - 2
Tenor Sax - 2
Baritone Sax - 1
Trumpet - 4
Trombone - 4
Tuba - 1
Percussion - 2
Piano - 1
Second Keyboard - 1
Electric Bass - 1
Guitar - 1
Drum Set - 1
Violin - 6
Viola - 4
Cello - 4
String Bass - 1
What Others Are Saying
Join a community that answered the call to missions!
You've got two options:
1) Do nothing and continue life on the hamster wheel or 2) Finally do something about it. We can't help with option 1 - but option 2? We got you! Say yes to making a change with music and taking the Gospel all around the world.
GET ANSWERS
Have a Question?
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We get it. You love playing your instrument or singing in the choir and want to do more with your gift. But how? That's where we come in.
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to use their God-given talent to serve the Lord. We take teams of choirs, orchestras, and jazz bands around the world to share the good news of Jesus.
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Music is connecting. No matter the language of a song, it's the music that binds people together.[Our projects consist of evangelistic concerts with the gospel interwoven between songs.
In many countries we have the opportunity to play music in conjunction with local musicians. We also serve by teaching music and sharing our testimonies with others.
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In fact, we DO need you! God has a special plan for your life that includes using you to minister to others.
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Nope. You sure don't! That's why we exist - to form teams comprised of individuals that have a heart for missions and want to serve the Lord through music.
Find a project and hop on board!
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Of course! In fact, we encourage it! We can always use an extra set of hands and a smiling face :)
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Typically, as long as you have at least 4 years of playing experience, you're good! However, we may ask about prior playing experience to help us assign music parts.
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Typically the music is sent out one month before the project. Once we land in the country we're going to, we'll have one rehearsal, then we're off and running!
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For instruments that aren't airplane friendly (tuba, upright bass, etc), we can usually rent them in the country we're going to. Let us know which project you're interested in and we'll help work it out!
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Almost the whole kit and caboodle! The project cost includes air transportation, transportation within the country, accommodations, one meal per day, sightseeing excursions, and insurance on yourself and your instrument.
The project cost does not include an entry visa (if applicable), a US passport, domestic travel to the airport, and two meals per day.
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You can, but you don't have to! On average, each project is broken into 4 or 5 payments with an average of 2-3 months between payments.
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Stepping out in faith is an important part of going! There are many ways to raise support - sending a support letter to friends and family, asking your church for support, forgoing that $5 drink from Starbucks, having a garage sale, and most importantly through prayer! God doesn't just call you to go, He also provides for you.
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They are! We are a 501c3 which makes your donations tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You can deduct your project cost in addition to any other expenses accrued during travel.
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We always include excursions to learn about the culture of the country. However, our goal is missions, so that will be the main focus of the project!
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Click the Donate button for the project you're going on and it will show a drop down list of the participants.