Thank you for applying to audition for Immanuel’s worship team! We’re committed to exalting the glory of Christ in corporate worship. We do this by striving for Biblical fidelity and excellence in our music service. Before auditioning it’s important to consider the following requirements for serving on the worship team:
1. Godly character
Musical ability and experience are very important, but these must be accompanied by a genuine love for the Lord, a hopeful trust in the gospel, and a life which clearly displays these realities. We do ask that you obtain a recommendation from your GCG leader, discipleship group leader, or another mature member of Immanuel. While the Scriptures call all believers to holiness it is important to remember that those serving in more public ministries are naturally held up as examples to follow.
2. Talent
Along with godly character, sufficient musical skill is required to serve on the worship team.
Singers must be able to:
- Sing both melody and harmony
- Blend well on a vocal team
- Sing in multiple styles (think: Getty’s, Maverick City, Sovereign
Grace, Israel Houghton, CityAlight)
- Be committed to honing your skill as a singer
Instrumentalists must be able to:
- Play from chord charts (lyrics with chord markings. Reading sheet
music is not a requirement)
- For keys & guitars you must be able to play chords with extensions (7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, half-diminished, fully diminished, etc.)
- Understand the dynamics of playing with a band (the role of your
particular instrument in an ensemble).
- Play in multiple styles (think: Getty’s, Maverick City, Sovereign
Grace, Israel Houghton, CityAlight)
- Be committed to honing your craft as a musician
3. Commitment
- Uphold Immanuel’s church covenant
- Weekly rehearsals are Tuesdays evenings 6:00-7:30 AND Sunday
mornings 7:30-8:30 (arriving 10 minutes early to both )
- Be prepared. You must come to rehearsals knowing your music
- Continue working on your particular craft and growing as a
singer/musician
What to expect at the audition
Chord/lyric charts and recordings will be given ahead of time. Auditions typically include 1-3 other singers/musicians and will take 10-15 minutes.
For singers:
- Singers will be required to sing 1-2 verses/choruses solo and then
1-2 verses/choruses singing a harmony part with another singer.
- Singers will be evaluated on: pitch, timing, harmony ability, blend,
and stage presence.
For instrumentalists:
- Pianists/Guitarists will be required to reproduce the introduction of
a song from an assigned recording as well as play competently and
applicably through all the chord changes
- Guitarists may be asked to play a solo
- Instrumentalists will be evaluated on: a) their ability to play
cohesively/tightly with other musicians; b) their knowledge of
chords; c) their ability to play in such a way that captures the “feel”
of a particular song’s style.
What to expect after the audition
Since people are at different levels of skill and experience, it’s important to understand that not everyone auditioning will be able to serve on the Sunday morning worship team. In the days following your audition you will receive one of three possible responses:
- You may be invited to serve on the team immediately.
- In cases where more time is needed to develop as a
singer/musician we will ask you to audition again in six months.
- Where it seems clear that the necessary skills are absent
we will gently encourage you to pursue ministry in another area
of service.
I’m thankful for your desire to serve the saints at Immanuel through music!
For the glory of Christ,
Pastor Ward
