Why do we have auditions?

We have a vision for continuously increasing our worship ministry here at Vineyard. Auditions are a very practical tool for evaluating the skills and heart of people who feel called to serve on a worship team. And we promise that it will never be like American Idol!  We want to create a "dread free" atmosphere for our audition process as much as possible. At the same time, we value honesty, and we want to encourage the pursuit of skill in the music we present to the Lord.

If you have a heart to lead others into meaningful worship, and you feel you are skilled with your voice or musical instrument, we would love to get to know you! Please read the expecations and requirements for participation on the worship team below, and fill out the questions as completely as possible. We will be getting in touch with you about scheduling an audition.

Basic requirements for participation on the worship team:

To be eligible for the worship team, you must consider the Vineyard to be your home church, and have attended regularly for a minimum of 6 months.  Completion of our membership class, Fruit of the Vineyard, is required.  Because the class is scheduled only a few times each year, you may proceed with the audition process with the understanding that the class must be taken as soon as possible in order to be on the team.  

Participation in a small group is encouraged. You should be in agreement with our theological standings and our vision and values. We are looking for trustworthy, team-minded people who will take the commitment seriously.  Maintaining a humble, teachable attitude is very important.  The worship team is not a platform for showcasing individual talents, but a place of service to the congregation.

Previous experience on a worship team or in a band can be helpful but is not required. While there are similar principals used in most live music situtuations, every band or team experience is different. Be prepared to learn new ways of doing things even as we follow standard practices.

Expectations for participation on the worship team:

The time requirement for worship team members is approximately 9 hours per week when they are scheduled for the weekend services. (This time frame does not include personal practice time.) Included in the time requirements are Thursday night rehearsals (7-9pm), the Saturday evening service (3pm-6:30pm) and Sunday morning services (8:15am-12:30am). Team members are required to stay for the entire service, though they are not required to sit through all three messages. All team members are encouraged to sit through one entire service.

We make every attempt to not overschedule team members. In most months, you will not be scheduled more than 2 times. There may be months where you are not scheduled.

Skill Requirements

Below are the basic skills needed for each postition on the worship team.

Worship Vocalists

The worship vocalist's primary function is to provide vocal harmony with the worship leader and other worship vocalists. They also model worship for the congregation by maintaining an attitude of worship while singing with the team. Their focus is on God, not on performing.

Skill set

• Be able to sing on pitch.
• Be able to hear and sing a harmony part for a given melody, i.e. should be comfortable learning parts by ear.
• Be able to reproduce a harmony part for a given song consistently, i.e. sing the same part for a song each time that song is used.
• Be able to control vocal elements such as volume and vibrato in order to blend with the worship leader and other vocalists. The ability to sing in different styles is very desirable.

Acoustic Guitarists

To provide rhythmic support as needed by the worship leader.

Skill set

• Have a good knowledge of open chords and barre chords. Should have good working knowledge of the guitar neck.
• Be able to play different strumming patterns as called for by the given song.
• Be able to control dynamics while maintaining consistent tempo. Must be able to play with a click track (metronome) and hold tempo.
• Be able to transpose chords and use a capo.
• Should be comfortable learning parts by ear.
• Must own their own guitar with built in electronic pickup system, and an electonic tuner with bypass. Instrument should be able to hold tune and be in good repair.
• Ability to arpeggiate chords and flatpick very desireable.

Electric Guitarists

To provide rhythmic support and sonic textures as needed by the worship leader. To play specific parts (lead lines) for songs as needed.

Skill set

• Have a good knowledge of major and minor chords and basic scales. Power chords are essential!

• Should be able to play competently in the upper registers of the neck (above the 5th fret).

• Be able to control dynamics while maintaining consistent tempo. Must be able to play with a click track (metronome) and hold tempo.

• Must own their own guitar and equipment, and be able to reproduce tones consistent with modern contemporary music. (This can be done inexpensively with modern modeling amps. A big pedal board is not required!) Must own an electonic tuner with bypass. Instrument should be able to hold tune and be in good repair.
• Should be comfortable learning parts by ear
• Ability to arpeggiate chords and flatpick very desireable.

Bass Guitarists

To provide bass content and rhythmic support as needed by the worship leader. To play specific parts for songs as needed.

Skill set

• Have a good knowledge of the neck, i.e. know the notes in the first five frets of the neck on all strings, preferrably without looking.
• A knowledge of basic scales would be useful.
• Should understand basic rhythmic divisions; quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, etc.
• Should be comfortable learning parts by ear.
• Be able to control dynamics while maintaining consistent tempo. Must be able to play with a click track (metronome) and hold tempo.
• Must own their own instument. Instrument should be able to hold tune and be in good repair.

Drummers

To provide solid rhythmic foundation for the worship team.

Skill set

• Must be able to hold steady time against a click track.
• Be able to play a variety of basic quarter note and eighth note rock drum patterns. Others; 2 beat country, 6/8 time signature beats, etc.
• Should be comfortable learning parts by ear.
• Be able to control dynamics while maintaining consistent tempo. Must be able to play with a click track (metronome) and hold tempo.
• Must own their own sticks/mallets/brushes.

Keyboardists

To provide sonic textures and keyboard parts for the worship team.

Skill set

• Must be able to hold steady time against a click track.
• Be able to read simple chord charts. Reading music is desireable but not required.
• Be able to play in a variety of musical styles: contemporary stylings, gospel, rock, etc.
• Should know chord inversions and be able to find different chord voicings.
• Should have familiarity with general modern keyboard architecture, i.e. how to recall patches, find different sounds, use a modulation wheel, etc.
• Should be comfortable learning parts by ear.

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in auditioning for the weekend worship team.