Worship Band Auditions Recap, 7-30-2008: How Sojourn Adds To The Worship Team Ministry

Last Wednesday Sojourn hosted an open audition night for prospective worship band candidates. Nineteen Sojourners took to the stage of our main auditorium, performing songs from our latest full-length CD, Before the Throne, before worship arts pastor Mike Cosper and a small team of experienced worship leaders. For a list of songs the candidates were asked to perform, view our “Adding To The Band” post).

Sojourn only permits regenerate church members (and those in membership process) to audition for the band, so band tryouts are really an extension of an already elaborate interview process that vocalists and musicians go through to become members, including a six week membership class and a personal interview with a Sojourn elder. One weekly installment of our membership class is solely dedicated to worship theology.

But there’s more.  On audition night, Pastor Mike addressed the candidates before tryouts began.  He explained our belief in missional, all-of-life worship, which necessitates that candidates for our worship ministry be strong in three areas:

character — a follow up interview with those who pass the “skill test” focuses on this, talking about the candidate as a worshiper of Christ and how that plays out in their daily life.

skill: Can they sing and play with excellence and precision — not only by themselves but with other musicians?  Are they able to learn songs on short notice?

culture: Does this person have the skills to speak into this culture here in Louisville?  For instance, a gifted opera singer would not work within our musical and cultural context unless they were able to greatly adapt their sound.

Pastor Mike explained that sometimes he also checks with candidates’ community group leaders, sits on recommendations a day or two, and spends a lot of time in prayer and consultation, so the candidates should not expect to hear back from him until about a week has gone by.

He then told them that when he contacts them, they will hear one of three responses:

first response: welcome to the team — you’ll probably be added to the September/October worship band schedule.

second response: we want you to develop more, perhaps plug you into other things right now (children’s worship or perhaps leading songs in Sojourn membership classes.  Also in the next year, a high school/ middle school band will begin, made up of adults who play along-side the kids and help to mentor them).

third response: you don’t seem to be a good fit for this ministry now.  Pastor Mike will make recommendations on how to improve, and let you know you’re welcome to audition again in the winter.

The vocal candidates separated into groups of men and women, auditioning two at a time: one taking the first verse and chorus, the next taking the second verse and chorus. Mike’s team of backing musicians (who also helped him judge the candidates later) included:

Brooks Ritter on backing vocals and acoustic guitar

Neil Robins on backing vocals, lead and bass guitar and keyboard

Smitty Smith on drums

Jamie Barnes on backing vocals, lead, bass guitar and keyboard.

Mike called for the instrumentalist candidates to fill spots in the band at various junctures until we’d heard all of them: an assortment of guitarists, bass players, drummers, keyboard and clarinet.

After thanking the candidates, Mike, his music team and I scooted over to a nearby restaurant to talk about the candidates over dinner.  I had published updates about the auditions live throughout the process on the micro-blogging site Twitter (follow me on Twitter for some sweet Tweets).  Several Twitter followers sent messages asking me if I was a Simon Cowell-type.  I assured them that I was more like the Ryan Seacrest, while Mike and his judges were a room-full of Simons. 

The truth is that although these guys are great musicians with exacting standards, they are also part of a church family, along with those who auditioned, and were truly desirous of everyone finding a place to serve in a way that will enable them to grow and to help others grow.  The discussion covered every candidate in depth and ended in a clear consensus regarding who to immediately add to the team and who is not ready, for one reason or another, to lead worship in our Sunday gatherings.  Pastor Mike asked his team to help him decide where to place people and how to help them to know which skills need work, should they decide to audition again.

Once these issues were all decided, we ordered ice cream for dessert and tried to answer some other important questions, such as “If you were a Mixed Martial Arts fighter, what song would you choose to lead you to the ring or cage as your theme music?”

And now, here for you, are my own choices for each of these gentlemen:

Mike Cosper: “Leader of the Pack,” from the Shangri-Las.  Obviously.  He just needs a leather jacket and more grease for his hair.

Jamie Barnes:  “I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General,” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates Of Penzance”.  And he’ll fight in uniform.

Neil Robins: “Whatta Man,” by Salt ‘n Pepa.  He’ll toss roses at the crowd.

Smitty Smith: “Mama Said, ‘Knock You Out’ ” by LL Cool J.  And he’s headed straight for the leader of the pack.

Brooks Ritter: “Soul Man,” by James Brown.  Brooks will dance and jive all the way to ringside.

There you have it.  Seacrest, out.