Music Guidelines

Important Dates:

• Application deadline: March 31, 2024
• Division selection deadline: June 31, 2024
• GC Session Music Committee selection deadline: December 31, 2024

Principles and Guidelines               

1. Music is an avenue of communication with God. It “is one of the most effective means of impressing the heart with spiritual truth.” (Ed 168). Therefore, it is an important and integral part of the 2025 GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri. Through singing and instrumental music, we want to bring glory to God and worship Him. Music at the GC Session is intended to create an uplifting atmosphere, to ennoble and purify our thoughts, to foster our commitment to the Lord, and to effectively influence us in the development of Christ’s character in our life and in that of others.
2. Music at the GC Session should appeal to both intellect and emotions. It should reveal creativity and be well-balanced. It should be inspiring and educative for the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist church.
3. In vocal music, the lyrics should stimulate our intellectual abilities as well as our emotions and willpower. Good lyrics are creative, inspiring, and profound. They focus on the positive and reflect moral values. They educate and uplift and should be in harmony with Seventh-day Adventist theology.

Application

4. The application form must be completed and submitted by a musician or a group representative. A maximum of five songs may be considered. Each song requires a separate application form. The application form requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
   • A picture of the musician or group.
   • An MP3 recording of the audition selection with the accompaniment which will be used. (This selection may not be changed after approval.)
   • An MP3 recording of the performance soundtrack, if used
   • The lyrics in English, or translated into English.
   • Composer and copyright information for the song and the accompaniment track, if used.
   • A letter of recommendation from the musician or group’s local pastor or officer of the sponsoring SDA school or organization.

5. Live accompaniment is both encouraged and preferred.

Selection Guidelines

7. Due to tight scheduling, music longer than 4-5 minutes for solos and small groups may not be accepted. Presentations longer than 6 minutes for choirs, orchestral groups, and large ensembles may not be accepted. However, the GC Session Music Selection Committee will exercise its discretion during the selection process.
8. The Division Music Coordinator must first approve each performer before the GC Session Music Selection Committee will consider the applicant.
9. The GC Session Music Selection Committee will make all final selections and all venue and time-slot assignments.

10. Applicants must receive approval by the GC Session Music Selection Committee before expecting to participate.
11. All approved musicians will receive a link to request a Letter of Invitation. Information and guidelines regarding letters of invitation are available in the Musician Application Information.

Participant Guidelines

13. Participants are expected to register onsite at the GC Session Music Office in St. Louis no later than 24 hours before their scheduled performance. At the time of registration, practice times may be scheduled. On the day of performance, participants are expected to report to the GC Session Music Office no later than 60 minutes before their performance time to be escorted backstage, or they may lose the opportunity to perform. The GC Session Music Committee is not obligated to reassign them.
14. Music participants are self-funded for all expenses involved with travel, lodging, performance, and all other expenses associated with their participation in the GC Session. Approved musicians, as well as sponsors, family members, and technical personnel, are responsible for all financial aspects related to performing at the GC Session. No funding, meal tickets or provisions for meals, or any remuneration is available from the GC Session Music Committee or from the General Conference for any Division’s recommended musicians performing at the GC Session. All musicians must secure their own funding and provide for all their expenses including meals, transportation, hotels, and any other associated costs. The Division Music Coordinators have been advised of this and understand that all expenses are the responsibility of the musician.
15. GC Session Management will not authorize any onsite solicitation by musicians or Division Music Coordinators for assistance with cash, meals, or meal tickets to any individual or GC Session representative at the GC Session. Musicians may not set up their own mini music shows anywhere onsite at the GC Session for the purpose of attracting people to contribute funds, offer assistance, or to sell their music. Official venues have been established for music performance and invitations will be extended to select, authorized musicians. Musicians are free to participate offsite in non-GC-Session programs which they have arranged, or to which they have been invited. (See also the Free One-Day Musician Exhibit Table information below.)
16. Each musician/group should be prepared to perform any of the other music selections that they submitted and for which they received approval by the GC Session Music Committee. These selections could be used in cases when the Program Committee requests last-minute replacements or cancellations.
17. Free One-Day Musician Exhibit Table. All authorized musicians approved by the GC Session Music Committee for performance at the GC Session may take advantage of the free, one-day table available to them in the exhibit area. Approved applicants will receive a link where they may request a free one-day exhibit table. This is explained further in the Musician Application Information.

The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists assumes no responsibility for any claims against infringement by third parties with respect to the reproduction of music or photos submitted by participants.

Participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, its Divisions, Conferences, officers, and employees against and from all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses asserted by third parties alleging that the reproduction of the music infringes upon a third party’s intellectual property as a direct result of the Participant’s actions or omissions in connection with submitting the music or photographs.