How to Create a Simple iPad Jukebox

Music is such a huge part of our lives, especially for teenagers. I spend a stupid amount of time vetting and getting together playlists for our ministry events because I know that atmosphere is an important part of our gatherings.

We run an after-school drop-in center for our community students every day of the week. Our staff were constantly being asked “Can you play this song?” or “Can I plug my iPod in?” It was getting really annoying. There had to be a better way of playing music at our events.

We purchased an iPad enclosure (one that secured the iPad to the wall and didn’t allow access to the home button) and bought an app called "Jukester."

This app allows our students to go through the music library on the iPad and queue songs that they want played. If no song is chosen from a student, then the app allows you to choose a default playlist so the music is always going. It’s a simple but great solution to our music woes.

We also have a sheet beside the iPad where students can request their favorite songs if they aren’t in the music library. One of our staff checks the lyrics and decides if it’s suitable for play. This has been an efficient system because I no longer have to go searching for the ‘in’ music and the students feel as if they are heard and are contributing in some way.

How do you do music at your ministry events?