Finding ministry in the music of a cappella

It's 7 a.m. While most of campus is still quiet, Abi Urton is already awake, humming through warmups in the kitchen of her apartment.

A graduate from Brigham Young University, Urton balances work, rehearsals and performances as a member of the Christian a cappella group J209. For her, music is less about the spotlight and more about ministry.

Ive always felt like music is how I connect with God, Urton said. When were singing, it doesnt feel like performing. It feels like worship.

Urton joined J209 after her senior year at BYU, auditioning on a whim after a friend encouraged her to try out. What began as a nerve-racking audition has grown into a defining part of her college experience.

The group, known for tight harmonies and faith-centered lyrics, rehearses several nights a week. Members arrange their own music, blending contemporary Christian songs with original compositions. Urton, an alto, said the collaborative process is one of her favorite parts.

Theres something powerful about building a song from the ground up, she said. You start with a simple melody, and by the end, its this full, rich sound that carries a message.

Her roommate, Randi Sanofsky, has a front-row seat to the behind-the-scenes work.

Abi doesnt just show up and sing, Sanofsky said. Shes constantly practicing, listening to recordings, and making notes. But what stands out most is her heart. She cares so much about the people in the audience.

Sanofsky said their apartment often turns into a rehearsal space, with harmonies echoing down the hallway. Even so, she describes Urton as grounded and intentional, someone who prioritizes friendships and faith as much as performance.

That balance is something Savannah Webb, production assistant for J209, said sets Urton apart.

Abi is steady, Webb said. In rehearsals, if things get stressful, shes the one reminding everyone why we do this. She brings a calm, spiritual focus to the group.

Webb works closely with the group to coordinate logistics, from staging to sound checks. She said Urton approaches each performance prayerfully, often gathering with fellow members backstage before stepping in front of an audience.

For Urton, the most meaningful moments arent the applause at the end of a show, but the conversations that follow.

When someone comes up and says a song helped them through something hard, thats everything, she said. Thats why we do it.

As she looks ahead to her future, Urton said she hopes to continue blending her education with her passion for ministry through music.

Whether in a packed auditorium or a quiet apartment kitchen, she remains focused on one goal: using her voice to uplift and inspire.