Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist choirs and worship ensemble groups from around the world may now audition online for an invitation to perform at the 2016 General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly which meets in Portland, Oregon, from May 10-20, 2016.

To apply for an invitation to General Conference, groups are asked to submit a letter of application that includes the following: 1) name of group; 2) name of primary contact person along with email address and phone number; 3) brief history/bio of the group including number of members, general age range, group’s location, and any unique characteristics; and 4) a link to a private YouTube video of the group performing. The application should be emailed to gc2016worshipdirector@gmail.com by January 12, 2015.

“As a delegate, one of the best parts of my General Conference experience has always been the diversity of gifts and creativity shared by the visiting choirs and other artist groups,” said the Rev. Laura Jaquith Bartlett, worship & music director for the 2016 General Conference. “Now I have the amazing privilege of working directly with this huge pool of talent and commitment as the worship design team does its planning and preparation. I am enormously grateful to all the artists who bless the denomination with their worship leadership each week in settings all around the globe—and especially to those who will take on the hard work involved with coming to Portland in 2016.”

Performance opportunities for invited choirs and ensembles include morning worship and/or a lunchtime showcase venue. Groups are responsible for their own expenses.

About General Conference
General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church which meets once every four years. The conference can revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs.


Media contact:
Diane Degnan | ddegnan@umcom.org
615-742-5406 (office)

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