Social Network

Information & Guidelines

“Encouraging a Higher Standard”

Sacramento Central Seventh-day Adventist Church is a church with a reputation for high standards and Bible-based preaching founded on traditional Adventist beliefs and standards. Through our ministry, Central’s worship service has a defining influence, not only in Sacramento, but around the world. In keeping with our desire to provide only the best possible worship experience for those in the pew and at home, we choose content and style which is in marked contrast with what is commonly heard elsewhere.

“Church music must be sacred, not common. We aim for a balance of style and reverence that will be a blessing to the larger body. There’s an old saying that says, ‘If it looks like a duck and sounds like duck and acts like a duck, then it’s a duck.’ The worst thing we can do in our churches is make ourselves look, sound, and act more like the lost world around us.

“CNN reported recently that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Islam is a religion that, by and large, requires liturgy, deep sacrifice, and conformation from its followers. I think it is logical to conclude that lost people are not looking for what they already have. If we simply communicate God’s truth consistently, our message will reach more people. May our musical communication be an example and reflection of God.”

(Practical Guidelines For Church Musicians)

In keeping with our desire to glorify God through our choice of music, and our desire to exemplify Christian standards of modesty in dress, our music committee has outlined the following guidelines, and as a musician performing at Sacramento Central Church, we ask that you take responsibility and read the following information. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated.

Special Music

  1. Since the song(s) you sing for your special music audition (your music coordinator will set this up) will determine if you will be scheduled or not, we ask that you sing the song(s) you would like to sing for the live Sabbath performance. This will eliminate any last-minute complications on the day. If a track is going to be used vs. live accompaniment, the special music coordinator must approve it.
  2. We request that live accompaniment be provided for special music, if at all possible. We have many gifted musicians available who, if contacted with sufficient lead-time, might be able to play for you. To schedule a pianist, please contact the person who scheduled you, or call the church office at (916)457-6511, for more information. We only accept accompaniment tracks in CD format.
  3. If it is essential for you to use an accompaniment track for a certain song, use only those tracks that do not have distracting drums or percussion. Think of it this way: the drums/percussion shouldn’t be the entree, but, merely, the seasoning.
  4. Please keep in mind that special music sets the tone for the sermon that follows.
  5. Once your special music date has been confirmed and you need to reschedule, please contact the person who scheduled you as soon as possible.
  6. Special music sound check is from 8:30 – 8:45 AM (mandatory). If you need more rehearsal time, the church is open by 8:00 AM on Sabbath morning, so you may come early. However, the audio crew is not available until 8:15 AM. You may feel you don’t need a sound check, but it is vital for the audio crew to have a sound check, to ensure the program goes smoothly.
  7. Anyone scheduled for church special music also provides one special song for our Morning Manna (MM) program. MM begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 9:30 AM. Special music is at 9:25 AM. You may perform the same piece you will do for the church service or a different one.
  8. If you need lyrics on the preview monitor (so only you can see them), please email them exactly as you’ll sing them to no later than Sunday night before your date. Our graphics team will have them ready for Sabbath. (Note in the email: your name, special music date, and song title.)
  9. The time allotted for MM and church special music is to be no more than FIVE minutes respectively. This includes the introduction which is given by the church chorister.

Concerts

  1. We request that live accompaniment be provided for the concert, if at all possible. If you must use accompaniment tracks we only accept them in CD format.
  2. If it is essential for you to use an accompaniment track for a certain song, use only those tracks that do not have distracting drums or percussion. Think of it this way: the drums/percussion shouldn’t be the entree, but, merely, the seasoning.
  3. The concert sound check should be TWO hours before the start of the concert. It is vital for the audio crew to have a sound check, to ensure the program goes smoothly. Central’s A/V team will be on-site to assist you in any way possible.
  4. Once your special music date has been confirmed and you need to reschedule, please contact the person who scheduled you as soon as possible.

Wardrobe

  •  Men: Please wear a suit/dress coat & pants, and tie (a white shirt is not preferred since it’s reflective on camera). Please no jewelry, including a wedding ring.
  •  Women: Please wear a dress/skirt & top – please no pants or pant suits. We ask that all tops have sleeves, necklines be modest, and hemlines should reach below the knees when sitting.
  •  Please no jewelry (ear rings, broaches, necklaces, etc.), including a wedding ring.
  •  Please no nail polish.
  •  If you are going to wear some makeup, please keep it on the natural end of the spectrum and very simple. Nothing obvious.
  •  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ask. Thank you so much for understanding, and we look forward to having you minister to us and our community through your music.