Music

When in our music God is glorified and adoration leaves no room for pride,
it is as though the whole creation cried: Alleluia!

We can only imagine a day when this expressive hymn lyric will be true. All of creation joining together in praise and adoration, giving glory to the one who gave us everything. In such a time, how could we keep from singing? Consider a child singing or ringing a bell for the first time. They do not make music for selfish ambition, rather, they offer a pure and joyful sound that leads them towards something more. As the hymn states, “How often, making music, we have found a new dimension in the world of sound, as worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!” Music and worship are woven deep into the fabric of our lives, and it can lift us into the very presence of God.


These great hymn texts speak well to the purpose of church music, and especially what we try to do here at Providence. We seek to offer the best music, in the best spirit, to the best of our ability to glorify our God. It is our great hope that the music we offer will draw us closer to God … and to each other. So, we join our voices, instruments, and indeed our lives in proclaiming:

Let every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always: Alleluia!

Dr. Martha Strawn Iley Music Scholarship

Providence Baptist Church is proud to offer two (2) music scholarships of $1,500 each to deserving candidates for the 2024-2025 academic year. One scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student studying voice and the other scholarship will be awarded to a student studying a primary instrument. All applicants should prepare two (2) selections of contrasting styles, as well as a hymn, for their audition.

Eligible applicants should apply for only one scholarship category, must be a student currently enrolled in a North Carolina or South Carolina college music degree program, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and possess an interest in church music ministry. They must also provide information about their audition repertoire. The deadline for all applications is 12:00pm on Friday, March 8. In-person or virtual auditions and interviews are both acceptable, but all online applications must include the following: 1) A brief essay (up to 150 words) sharing the applicant’s interest in church music including career plans and/or current involvement in church music; 2) A letter of reference from a choir, voice, or instrument instructor or clergy.

  • In-person auditions and interviews will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, April 21, with the specific time to be determined based on the number of applicants. In-person auditions will be held in the Sanctuary of Providence Baptist Church, located at 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.
  • Virtual auditions must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 7. If you opt for a video submission, please upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc. and email a link to [email protected] with the subject line "[YOUR NAME] Martha Iley Scholarship Video Audition." Zoom interviews will be scheduled on the afternoon of Sunday, April 21.

There will be a non-refundable $30 fee at the end of the application form, and instructions on how to make the payment are provided upon submission.

Thank you for taking the time to apply for this scholarship. We look forward to reviewing your application and hearing your audition!

 
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