Josh wrote in to ask:

As far as an audition goes I was wondering if you had any specific suggestions on the best way to hold an audition. Should it be with the band? A one on one audition? A song that they would like to sing or something you would like them to sing (or play if it’s an instrumentalist)? Just some questions I had about the practical way to do this.

The most important thing to remember about auditions is this: Adding a member to the team is always easier than taking them off. God hasn’t required us to use a specific instrument or vocal part in praising him, so we shoudln’t feel any pressure to add a drummer/guitarist/pianist/alto ASAP to the team.

Auditions will certainly look different depending on the size of the church, the skill of the current musicians, the discernment of the leader, and the makeup of the congregation. Having said that, I’ll address two scenarios: a new/small church and a larger, established church.

For a new church, I’d recommend more casual auditions. You could invite any interested musicians over to your house to play and sing on a regular basis. That way you get to know their gifts, interest, and character without any expectations of inclusion on a Sunday morning. Be sure you’re listening while you’re playing through songs. While the standards will be lower in a new or smaller church, I’d make sure that everyone on the team was skilled enough not to be a distraction. I’d also make sure you knew enough about their personal and/or family life to know that people wouldn’t wonder why they were being used in a leadership position. Finally, I’d look for people who were eager to support your leadership, not people who felt they need to display their gifts. Unchecked pride on the team will only cause problems later, and worse, is a contradiction to our intentions to bring glory to God, not ourselves.

For a more established church, I’d recommend individual auditions. We’ve found it helpful to have more than one person listen to give a broader perspective. I’ve tried to have a skilled instrumentalist and vocalist with me.

We let people know that auditions are coming and they can sign up for a 15 minute slot. They fill out a general information form providing basic information such as their previous musical experience and training, what small group they’re in (a requirement for participation on the team), and where they’d like to serve (we provide a list of possible options). They are responsible to bring their instrument, except a drum set, which we provide. We also have an accompanist available for vocalists. For the audition we let them do whatever they’re comfortable doing - a worship song, a special song, a song they’ve written, etc.

We hold auditions on Saturdays and usually fill up a whole day. During each 15 minute audition we try to gain as much knowledge as we can. For vocalists, we determine their range, if they can read music, and if they can harmonize by ear. For instrumentalists, we find out what instruments they can play, how well they read notes/charts, and how well they pick up changes on the spot. Our goal is to find out what gifts God has given them and form something of a musical “database” for the church. We have a form that is filled out for each person who auditions that gives us all the information we’ll need (range, proficiency, pitch, recommendations, etc.) to make decisions about how to use them. Some people will be asked to serve in the near future, others as we need them, and others will be asked to audition again in the future after they’ve received more training and practice. A few are told (graciously) that music probably isn’t the gift that God has given them. In the long run, people are more grateful that you’ve told them the truth than allowing them to continue in self-deception. If they’re not grateful…well that’s part of what leadership is about. We’re simply applying the Scripture, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” ( Prov. 27:6Proverbs 27:6 [6]Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Ken Boer, who oversees auditions now at Covenant Life, records all the results of the interview in a Word document, and sends each auditionee a letter that informs them where we think they could best serve. He also sends them a pastoral recommendation form that their small group leader signs. This is useful in a large church, but probably not as necessary in a smaller congregation.

We usually hold auditions four times a year, twice in August/September, and then again in late winter or early spring. For more information about the process at Covenant Life, visit our audition page here. For a more detailed description and some great insights, I’d recommend the seminar Ken and Jon Payne did called Auditioning and Developing Musicians at this year’s WorshipGod06 conference.

I’d be interested in hearing from others about any practical ideas for music auditions in the church.

10 Comments »

1. Thanks Bob for explaining this topic so well. I find it to be something that tends to be a stumbing point for many church leaders. I would add of course, and maybe it goes without saying, that the spiritual state of the individual is of utmost importance. There are churches that I have encountered that treat a musician’s ability as the only criteria for membership on the team. Yikes!

   It’s easy enough, when designing a form to filled out by potential team members, to include space for a short “salvation experience”. I have always then asked, “What, to you, is the importance of worship?” If you get an answer like, “I just love music, you know?” then maybe they aren’t quite ready.

   Blessings

   Comment by Gary Hodges — October 20, 2006 @ 3:57 pm

2. Hi Bob, I understand the importance for musical excellence in the “band” and the last comment from Gary made a fair point about the motivation of those who can put a good performance together but are being driven by the wrong things. However, my question concerns the requirements for “raising up” a new worship leader, either from the musicians or as part of a wider call to the congregation. What are the criteria then?
   Peace to you.

   Comment by William — October 20, 2006 @ 4:32 pm

3. William,

   Thanks for asking about raising up new leaders.

   We start by looking for guys who have godly character, are musically gifted, and are already serving in some leadership capacity, usually in a small group. In some cases someone has joined the church who had led in their previous church.

   Each year we offer a Worship Leader Discipleship Group (invite only), which meets for about 13 Saturdays from September through May. The text for the class is Engaging with God by David Peterson. They read a chapter for each time we’re together and write up a page of response to it. During the actual class, one of the guys leads us in song for about 25 minutes, then we take time to evaluate everything - musicianship, content, skill, transitions, countenance, leadership. Those times of evaluation are probably the most effective thing we do to train guys. Everyone learns, especially the person who led. For the remainder of the time together, we discuss what Peterson covered in his chapter.

   We then ask guys from that class to lead in various contexts. As often as we’re able we show up when they’re leading and give them feedback. We (Ken and I) also make ourselves available for questions or counsel to these guys. Some times guys will repeat the class one or two times. We never stop learning, do we?

   I know there are other means of raising leaders up, but I’d suggest they always involve:

   1. theological training
   2. character evaluation and growth
   3. musical evaluation and training
   4. opportunities to lead
   5. consistent feedback

   Hope that’s helpful. Feel free to follow up.

   Comment by Bob Kauflin — October 20, 2006 @ 5:10 pm

4. This might not be the most practical idea, but we don’t hold auditions. We invite people into the group. And often, we don’t invite based on musical talent, although they should have some, but based on passion.

   I just don’t ever want to be put in a position where I have to say “no, you can’t be on our worship team,” after someone goes through an audition and gives their all… And by saying no, you are saying their not enough. Scripturally, not sure how that flies.

   And as for Jesus, he never held auditions. He just invited those he wanted into his fold. Imagine people auditioning to be one of the twelve apostles.

   Comment by John — October 22, 2006 @ 7:51 pm

5. John,

   Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your heart to include people. We do want to include everyone we think will be able to serve musically in the church. But there are people who aren’t sufficiently gifted or lack the character to serve in that way.

   But I think you’re missing the distinction between the church (which everyone who has trusted in Christ’s finished work on their behalf is part of), and other qualities that show where a person should serve in the church.

   We don’t just allow anyone to preach God’s Word, because it takes skill, character, calling, and gifting. We don’t allow just anyone to administrate, because it takes skill, character, calling, and gifting. In like manner, we don’t allow just anyone to participate in leading the church in musical congregational worship. Some people are gifted to do it, others aren’t. There are many people who passionately want to serve in ways they aren’t gifted for. 1 Cor. 121 Corinthians 12
   [12:1]Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not
   want you to be uninformed. [2]You know that when you were
   pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were
   led. [3]Therefore I want you to understand that no one
   speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is
   accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the
   Holy Spirit.
   [4]Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same
   Spirit; [5]and there are varieties of service, but the same
   Lord; [6]and there are varieties of activities, but it is
   the same God who empowers them all in everyone. [7]To each
   is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common
   good. [8]For to one is given through the Spirit the
   utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of
   knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9]to another faith
   by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one
   Spirit, [10]to another the working of miracles, to another
   prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between
   spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another
   the interpretation of tongues. [11]All these are empowered
   by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one
   individually as he wills.
   [12]For just as the body is one and has many members,
   and all the members of the body, though many, are one body,
   so it is with Christ. [13]For in one Spirit we were all
   baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and
   all were made to drink of one Spirit.
   [14]For the body does not consist of one member but of
   many. [15]If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand,
   I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any
   less a part of the body. [16]And if the ear should say,
   "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,"
   that would not make it any less a part of the body. [17]If
   the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of
   hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the
   sense of smell? [18]But as it is, God arranged the members
   in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19]If all were
   a single member, where would the body be? [20]As it is,
   there are many parts, yet one body.
   [21]The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of
   you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of
   you." [22]On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem
   to be weaker are indispensable, [23]and on those parts of
   the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater
   honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater
   modesty, [24]which our more presentable parts do not
   require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater
   honor to the part that lacked it, [25]that there may be no
   division in the body, but that the members may have the
   same care for one another. [26]If one member suffers, all
   suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice
   together.
   [27]Now you are the body of Christ and individually
   members of it. [28]And God has appointed in the church
   first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then
   miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating,
   and various kinds of tongues. [29]Are all apostles? Are all
   prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30]Do
   all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do
   all interpret? [31]But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
   And I will show you a still more excellent way. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   and Romans 12Romans 12
   [12:1]I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the
   mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living
   sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your
   spiritual worship. [2]Do not be conformed to this world,
   but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by
   testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is
   good and acceptable and perfect.
   [3]For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among
   you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
   think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to
   the measure of faith that God has assigned. [4]For as in
   one body we have many members, and the members do not all
   have the same function, [5]so we, though many, are one body
   in Christ, and individually members one of another.
   [6]Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to
   us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our
   faith; [7]if service, in our serving; the one who teaches,
   in his teaching; [8]the one who exhorts, in his
   exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the
   one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy,
   with cheerfulness.
   [9]Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to
   what is good. [10]Love one another with brotherly
   affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11]Do not
   be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
   [12]Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant
   in prayer. [13]Contribute to the needs of the saints and
   seek to show hospitality.
   [14]Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not
   curse them. [15]Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with
   those who weep. [16]Live in harmony with one another. Do
   not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise
   in your own sight. [17]Repay no one evil for evil, but give
   thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18]If
   possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with
   all. [19]Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to
   the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I
   will repay, says the Lord." [20]To the contrary, "if your
   enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him
   something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning
   coals on his head." [21]Do not be overcome by evil, but
   overcome evil with good. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   both make it clear that we’re gifted in different ways and we should serve in the places God has given us faith for.

   To guard against self-deception we need other people to confirm what we sense is our gifting and calling. That’s why we have “auditions.”

   As for the apostles, I’m sure there were others who wanted to be part of the 12. But Jesus didn’t call them.

   I’d welcome any more thoughts you have on this.

   Comment by Bob Kauflin — October 23, 2006 @ 1:11 pm

6. Whenever I think of the word “fool” I think of the old Petra song called “Fool’s Gold” and the line that says, “Some may call me foolish, some may call me odd, but I’d rather be a fool in the eyes of men than a fool in the eyes of God.”

   Comment by Mark Smith — October 23, 2006 @ 5:04 pm

7. Here’s a very helpful tip we’ve stumbled accross. When someone auditions and “gives their all”, and isn’t making it, we give them three or four things to work on (vocalizing daily to improve vocal range, or practicing with a metronome to improve rhythm), then ask them to “please reaudition in 9 - 12 months.”

   In almost nine years of doing this, I’ve had only two (of over 300) people reaudition. The vast majority find other places to serve. Very few of them are willing to submit themselves to the discipline required to improve on those specific things.

   This way, if they don’t reaudition, it’s by their own choice, and their (correct) impression is that our worship ministry is a loving place committed to making progress evident to all. ( 1 Tim. 4:151 Timothy 4:15
   [15]Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so
   that all may see your progress. (ESV)

   This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

   )

   Comment by Matthew Westerholm — October 26, 2006 @ 2:23 pm

8. Hi, Great stuff here. I just posted an article last week on the audition process that we use. Check it out at http://worshippl.us/2006/10/27/worship-leading-essentials-7-selecting-musicians/

   Scot Longyear

   Comment by Scot Longyear — October 30, 2006 @ 3:44 pm

9. With auditions it is important to give auditionees a fair go so that they can give the leaders a proper idea of their abilities. For example if a singer’s voice is affected by laryngitis or a cold etc. I would take that into account when making a decision. I would also be inclined to say yes to as many people as possible to maximise involvement or even instead of requiring would be singers/musicions to audition let them have a go at being part of the worship team, and then if their ability is lacking give them an opportunity to rectify this and only stand them down as a last resort. After all a church worship team is not New Zealand/American Idol!

   Comment by Mark Stout — March 12, 2007 @ 8:14 pm

10. What happens when one person affirms that someone is a good singer and another contradicts this?

    Comment by Mark — March 17, 2007 @ 5:04 am

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