join the music & sound tech ministry

If you are interested in joining the Music Ministry at St. Pat's we invite you to fill out the audition form below! Questions can be directed to Stephen Royal at directorofliturgy@gmail.com

After you have filled out the above registration forms, and if you are interested in auditioning for the two contemporary praise and worship Masses (Saturday 5 PM and Sunday 11:30 AM), click here.

What you can expect from
st. patrick’s music & sound tech ministry:

  • Opportunities to grow as a Christian musician or tech

    • musical/tech knowledge and skills 

    • knowledge of Catholic theology on the arts and ministry 

    • spiritual development & praying through the music

  • Opportunities to pray and share with other musicians and techs

    • Pray with one another

    • Pray for the local parish arts ministry

    • Pray for the Church and the world 

  • Opportunities for building relationships

    • Rehearsals 

    • Parties and workshops

    • Sharing new artistic skills and vision.

  • All music is posted to your personal email or phone prior to all rehearsals.

    • You have access to resources at your home

    • Choir is organized in your personal folder before you arrive

    • Contemporary teams are provided charts, you tubes, information about keys and arrangements to practice before rehearsals

what we expect of you

  • A desire to grow spiritually in one’s relationship with Christ and in character with one another. This should involve finding time daily for prayer and Scripture, and specifically praying for wisdom and the power of the Spirit in the worship arts at St. Patrick.

  • A desire to grow in relationships, and show respect for others. 

  • A desire to connect the music and text with the mission of Jesus Christ and his Church.

  • A desire to grow musically and/or technically with a teachable attitude.

  • Willingness to prepare for rehearsals:

    • To find time to learn and/or listen to the music before the rehearsal, as resources are provided. 

    • Voices and instruments should be warmed up and tuned before the weekend rehearsal and liturgy begins. 

    • Sound techs should know the needs of the sound system and Mass scene to which they are assigned, as well knowing what the needs of the music will be.

    • Willingness to be at the church a few minutes before rehearsals begin. Sound techs should arrive at a time designated by the Sound Tech Leader, Worship Leader, or Choir Director.

  • Musicians and Techs must commit to once, twice or four weeks a month, depending on the rules of each role, choir or ensemble. 

  • Cantors and contemporary musicians should have music prepared in correct order before arriving at a rehearsal or Mass or be prepared to use the parish ipads and the Planning Center software.

  • Choir members should arrive early enough to pick up their folders and be in their seats, fully present, in time for the first prayer for both rehearsals and Masses.

Details specific to expectations and rehearsal times, as well as contacts, for each ensemble, team, or choir can be found on the main Music & Sound Tech Ministry page. Contemporary Christian Vocalists and Instrumentalists also require a 2-Step audition process, which is described below.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PARISH EXPECTATIONS?

Do you have any questions or concerns with the expectations above?  

Is there anything else you would like us to know? Send your questions or thoughts to the Director of Music at:  sroyal@stpatchurch.org  or to the Sound Tech Leader at: ncoffey@stpatchurch.org  

contemporary team audition process

Normally, contemporary musicians are provided YouTubes or tracks to listen to before rehearsals, so that the music is learned and worshipped with before arriving at rehearsals.

Audition #1
Please submit a video by your phone, and send as a text or email to the following contact:
Stephen Royal, Director of Music
574-215-5951
directorofliturgy@gmail.com

If you are unable to send this, please contact Stephen Royal personally, and request an initial interview. Please prepare your video as described below. If you are a vocalist, please submit one video in which you sing the melody for 1) one song of your choice, as well as a 2) one of the following:

● Cornerstone
● Oceans
● Amazing Grace
● Ave Maria - Schubert or Bach/Gonoud
● Panis Angelicus
● All Creatures of Our God and King

If you sing improvised harmony, please submit a video with harmonizations to one of the above songs.

If you are an instrumentalist, please submit one video or one piece of your choice (classical, jazz, pop, folk, rock in which you demonstrate 1) your normal but full range of abilities, and 2) a hymn or Christian song. Acoustic guitarists should demonstrate both strumming and finger picking if they are able. Drummers should 1) play alone, and 2) with a song demonstrating full musical abilities and steadiness of beat/groove.

Note: Keyboardists will also be asked to vamp with chords, light and/or vigorous patterns within chords and rhythms. After the song, demonstrate your ability to play major, minor, and possibly jazz/blues scales and arpeggios. You may also improvise solos if you wish. Finally, verbalize your current knowledge of keyboards, sound patches, midi connections, and computer software and what kind of sound you have used and prefer in worship.

Audition #2

If the worship music you present seems like a good fit for our parish, then we move on to a second audition. You will meet personally with two or three leaders, during which we will briefly pray and discuss your goals and vision. Then, when the team arrives you will play certain songs with the team, accompanist, or singer at a rehearsal in order to see how we “fit.” (Charts and recordings will be provided one week prior to the rehearsal.)