Mercy Hill Presbyterian Church is holding an audition for area musicians in order to find a worship leader or worship team to direct our worship gatherings this Christmas season.

Audition entry fee: no audition fee but please sign up by email by 11/15/2011 at 5pm.

Church will pay top band $150 per service to be divided between band members.

Advent begins on Sunday November 27 and continues through Sunday December 4, 11, 18 (four ordinary services). Additional services include Christmas Eve, 7pm Saturday December 24 (optional), and Christmas Day, 11-12pm, Sunday December 25 (optional).

For ordinary services, band setup starts at 9am sharp. Service concludes by 11:30-12pm.

The worship/band leader will work in collaboration with our leadership team & pastor to sculpt a sound aesthetic for Christmas that aligns with the preaching and service themes from the Gospel of Luke. No off the cuff word-based service leadership will be required; this allows you to focus on the music.

Three practice sessions will be required by the winning band/musician; time and location to be determined.

There may be opportunity for the winning band to pursue a longer term relationship with our church. This would be decided on a case-by-case basis.

The audition will include the band playing the following "set" pieces in whatever order you choose; time limit=15 minutes:

  1. Doxology by David Crowder (sample here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gbrqW0eJmE)
  2. Choose one:
    1. O Come O Come Emmanuel (High Street Hymns, sample here: http://highstreethymns.bandcamp.com/album/love-shall-be-our-token)
    2. In the Bleak Midwinter (High Street Hymns, sample here: http://highstreethymns.bandcamp.com/album/love-shall-be-our-token)
  3. Choose one or two other Christmas worship songs of your liking.
Bands may use acoustic instrumentation, electric, or some combination. They may be any style, but we're especially interested in a folk, indie, jazz, or bluegrass feel. 
As for equipment, we have two amps and a head, two mics and cords. Bands may bring their own equipment or use ours.
In terms of doctrine, beliefs, and faith, players need not hold to our church's statement of faith but may in no way work against them. 
It will be helpful if the band's worship leader is a professing Christian.
  •    Our website: http://www.mercyhillnj.org
  •    Our doctrinal summary: http://www.acts29network.org/about/doctrine/
  •    Our denominational standards: http://www.pcanet.org/general/cof_contents.htm 
   **Disclaimer: we reserve the right to make choices according to our doctrines and statements of faith.
Auditions to take place on Saturday morning November 19 starting at 9am. Please contact me ASAP to choose a time slot and we'll add you to the schedule.
Someone from our leadership team is available to meet you in person to discuss details in advance of 11/19 auditions if you'd like.