Why is the music so loud?

By Pastor Tim Smith and Deacon Joel Brown

Many people at Mars Hill have recently expressed curiosity as to why the audio levels in our services are mixed at such high volumes. Is it because we want to push the limits of being as loud as possible? Is it because we want to be cool?

This document is an effort to clarify the reasoning behind what we do and why we do it. For a technically detailed explanation of the steps we have taken to ensure safe noise levels please refer to our “Noise Safety” document, which includes data collected by a certified audiologist who is a Mars Hill member.

Our choice of volume levels for corporate worship is based on the following two approaches:

• To set the sound levels relatively quiet in order to emphasize the singing congregation’s voices.
• To set sound levels relatively loud so that people viscerally feel the music and “lose themselves’ in a complete experience.

As a diverse body of believers we acknowledge that Mars Hill attendees are inspired by each of these styles and aim to make use of both approaches for the edification of the whole congregation.

Corporate worship services conducted at quieter sound levels emphasizes the importance of the church singing as “one voice” in worship. Everyone knows how incredibly powerful it is to hear hundreds of other people lifting their praise to God at the same time. Though setting instrument volumes low to achieve this is not an approach emphasized at Mars Hill, most bands do seek to capture musically serene moments for portions of their prepared sets. In addition, newly formed bands will be debuting soon that focus on a quieter, more vocal-based approach.

Alternately, setting higher sound levels is generally favored at Mars Hill for a number of reasons. We feel that this approach is preferential for the majority (not all, but most) of the staff, elders and congregation of Mars Hill. But aside from preference we take this approach in large part because we are seeking to reach non-Christian Seattleites many of whom have an appreciation for loud, live music.

Many Mars Hill volunteer musicians have an ongoing involvement in the local music scene by performing, frequently attending concerts and working for recording labels and radio stations. Their presence in this subculture gives these people opportunities and insights as missionaries. It’s this very understanding that aids our volunteers in discerning how to most effectively express the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Therefore, we strive to establish common ground with Mars Hill visitors based on shared cultural understandings so that the song service may be experienced in a way similar to what might be commonly experienced at a local live venue. Simultaneously we aim to temper this approach in light of the fact that above all our gatherings are meant to serve the glory of God rather than men.

In addition to maintaining a cultural point of reference with our neighbors, we are aware of practical issues of sound level safety. As previously noted in the “noise safety” document, we do comply with OSHA standards for safe listening over extended periods of time. We have chosen the decibel level that we have for the sake of:

• Sound clarity - we believe that God deserves excellence in all things and excellence in sound quality is no exception. Simply put, guitar and drum based music is by nature a loud medium and sounds best at louder volumes. We desire that the congregation have the tools to fully appreciate the creative work of the worship department and to join them in a worshipful response.

• Safety we believe that the safety of everyone present is imperative, so our volunteers are tightly regulated on the decibel level in which they mix.

In summary, our desire is to always strike a balance by contextualizing the gospel rather than withdrawing into a culturally parallel universe of our own creation. The fact is, most Seattleites will most likely not relate to tradition based liturgical music or praise and worship styles. And since Mars Hill’s inception, we have always sought to identify with the Seattle music culture and we will continue to do so as we look to the future.

Joel Brown is a deacon on staff with Mars Hill running Audio Production and assisting Pastor Tim with band development. He also leads the Mars Hill band “Red Letter”. You can hear Joel’s band at the Ballard campus Sunday evenings.

Tim Smith is the Worship Pastor for Mars Hill Church and leads Mars Hill band “The Parsons”. You can hear his band Sundays at all the campuses on any given Sunday.