I call it the Super Bowl of Jesus, because I believe that you work hard all season to prepare for the pinnacle of your church's performance for your biggest holiday, Christmas. This show/holiday program will push all the worship tech staff and gear to its full capacity, to where everyone will feel the stress and demands of this event. I once told a church worship director that he had bigger things to worry about besides audio, like camels and trapeze performers.
Therefore, let's make the audio portion as painless, and stress free as possible.
I work in the system solutions department of the MUSIC Group for the brand Midas. All year, I take calls and emails, along with my coordinating on-site application trainings involving many churches, worldwide. During these, I always try to spec and design systems for worship facilities with the big show in mind—even in February, when you are trying to erase the memory from a couple months ago, seeking to move forward.
The Christmas program is where the most new folks take up going to church with the possibility of them returning in the future.
What is the main goal?
I think many times the goal differs and is dependent on what your role is in the church. From an audio perspective, intelligibility throughout the listening area should be the number one goal. Your practitioners understanding of the Word, the story, the song, are what empowers them to return. The Christmas program is where the most new folks take up going to church with the possibility of them returning in the future. If it's too loud, too quiet, or it's hard for them to comprehend, those potentially new folks will just go somewhere else.
So:
1. Start now
a. The planning for events like Christmas and Easter should be a part of daily operation. Upgrades, maintenance, and training are a huge portion of worship tech—plan and budget for them. Write a plan, make a script, design a show rundown, as if it was a TV show broadcast, or theater play.
2. Make an input list
a. Make it the best of the best. Snare bottom? Yes. Separate RF mics for performers? Yes. Stereo guitar channels? Yes. Everything that you would need input-wise to make it as clean as possible. Now you have a decision to determine if it will fit in your current audio setup. If not, see number 3.
3. Don't be afraid to hire a company to supplement your current system
a. Have an audio rental company come in and help you supplement what you have, or rent a system for the event. This includes engineers; sometimes the capacity of a volunteer is not going to cut it. It also gives your audio staff the opportunity to see and learn from system techs and engineers.
4. Rehearsals, rehearsals, rehearsals
a. Practice makes perfect. With the availability to do a "Virtual Sound Check" with most digital desks, your audio team can come into the sanctuary and mix the show over and over, making the necessary adjustments without the actual performers being there. This will also help with every week operation and training of your volunteer audio staff.
5. Coach your performers to help your mix
a. As an engineer, you are only as good as your source. If your performers have never used a microphone, or got their technique from watching the Price is Right, help them help you. Show mic technique to them, or let them hear what it sounds like when the mic is held correctly vs. when it is not.
This is just the beginning of suggestions for church Christmas programs. Remember, on going planning, and learning from the previous year will help ease the audio demands of your House of Worship. Good luck, and Happy Holidays, and a successful Super Bowl MMXVI.