Production Musings

The Audition Process

// February 9th, 2009 // Thoughts

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of mixing all day for worship team auditions.  I’ve been a part of this process for a couple years now and just love the flow of the process and how each person is giving love, care and attention.  This time around we were auditioning for musicians and vocalists. (Sometimes it’s one or the other!)

First contact comes after we make an announcement several weeks prior to the event.  This is typically not announced from stage but is in the form of a graphic included in the pre-service loop, atrium loop, and bulletin announcement.  Those interested in auditioning contact Judson, performing arts leader, to setup a time and what they’d like to audition for and then receive a packet of info.

When the person auditioning arrives, they have several minutes to become familiar with the environment, get to know each of us, and also give them quick monitor checks to make sure they’re as comfortable as possible on stage.  Each person auditions solo first. Then, they are joined by the band and/or vocalists. They are given 2 songs to play together, one that presents little difficulty and another that presents greater difficulty. The auditions look like this:

Vocals

• Sing their solo

Group singing – vocals and piano only

• Here I am Again (chorus only)
• All I can do is surrender (chorus only)

Brass

• Any improv’ or solo you want to play
• Brass sheet (with pno only)

Band – Entire Band on Stage
Acoustic Gtr

• Play Jam
• Sing to the King (Long E’s look for variety)
• Take my life (m.1-67)

Drums

• Groove
• 4/4 – Sing to the King
• 6/8 – Enraptured
• When I think about the Lord (gospel groove)

Electric Gtr

• Groove
• Salt and Light (Lead)
• Take my life (m.1-67)

Bass

• Groove
• Salt and Light (Rock groove)
• When I think about the Lord (Gospel groove)

Keys

• Groove
• Take My Life
• Here I Am Again

After the audition is finished, an ‘interview’ takes place in order to get to know the individual better and help them find a place to serve.  The leadership makes a decision with the interviewer by weighing a combination of skill, heart for worship, and teachability.  Once on the team, new additions attend practices for a set period of time before appearing on stage.  I’ve made the Serving Application and Team Vision documents available in the Downloads if you’re interested!