AUDITION PROCESS

STEP 1: Apply + attend growth track ONLINE

First, fill out our Team Anthem Volunteer Application form HERE. We also require that you attend Growth Track. Growth Track is a class where you can CATCH THE VISION, GET CONNECTED, and learn how to MAKE A DIFFERENCE here at Anthem Church. Growth Track is something that you do on your own time and online. Click HERE to see our courses with our Growth Track Class. It is required that you attend Growth Track in order to move forward in the audition process.

Step 2: SUBMIT YOUR AUDITION

Record yourself playing or singing your given material on a phone or a camera, then upload the video to YouTube. Under privacy settings, select “UNLISTED” and title with “(YOUR NAME-ANTHEM CHURCH WORSHIP AUDITION.” Copy and paste the link to your video into an email and send it to meredith@weareanthem.church. If you have another method of sharing videos, we’re happy to work with you. Just let us know.

Please include in this email the contact information of a previous worship leader to serve as a reference for your audition.

STEP 3: LIVE CALL BACK

Next, after viewing your submission, you may be asked to participate in a live call back. We will schedule a time that you, along with a few other members of the band, can meet for a live callback. We'll send you an email with details and materials on how to prepare. The audition will be at the church in the Worship Center, and will last approximately 30 minutes. You'll receive our response at a later time.

STEP 4: Coffee & orientation

Once we’ve determined you’re a good fit for our team, we’ll get together for coffee to get to know one another. We'll take you to coffee and talk music, life, church, and Jesus. We'll also discuss all the info you’ll need to be prepared for your first week. 

Step 5: Team Night

The final step in the audition process will be to attend our annual Team Night. This is an opportunity for you to celebrate with us what God is doing in our ministry, to meet the entire team, and to be commissioned to the ministry. Commissioning is simply a time for our team to pray over you as a sign of our commitment to you and to thank Jesus for how He always provides musicians for our ministry.

AUDITION MATERIAL

All auditionees will be learning and performing the song “Firm Foundation” by Cody Carnes in the key of C. The original key is Bb, so we’ve included a transposed song file for you to practice with and play along to in your video.

Below is all the info you’ll need to prepare the song. Be precise and thorough, making sure to match what you hear in these recordings as best you can.

• If you are auditioning for multiple positions, please submit a video for each.

• There are lots of resources online if you need help figuring out what's happening on a certain song.

• If you need access to an instrument, we can schedule a time for you to use one here at the church.

• Most incoming keyboard/synth players will be encouraged to play using a variety of sounds and instruments.

• Drummers will be trained to operate Ableton, our digital instrument and sequencing software.

• Vocalists, we can adjust the Key of the song to better fit your range. If you would like to adjust the key, please let me know so I can provide the appropriate chord chart and song file for you.

• If you have any questions, contact Meredith White!

Chord Chart for “Firm Foundation” in C

song file for “firm foundation” in C

Bass Guitar

• Match all pluck/pick patterns

• Match all octave changes, slides, and runs.

• Match bass tone throughout the song.

• Bass plays a big role in all of the walks, especially when entering in verse 2 - make it noticeable.

Acoustic Guitar

• Rhythm + tempo should be locked in for the intro, verses and choruses. The acoustic is a foundational instrument in this song.

• Follow the dynamics throughout the song and be sure to focus on the big hits in the last chorus (out of the bridge)

• Hit all of the walks throughout the song.

PIANO

• Don’t hit the chord changes of the instrumental before the bridge too soon. Watch for the appropriate timing. Be sure to do some doubling of the synth / electric part on the bridge as the energy of the bridge builds and hit both higher and lower octaves.

• Be sure to move on all of the walks throughout the song.

• Navigate all dynamic changes throughout the song and tackle both higher and lower octaves.

Electric Guitar

• We typically use 2 electric guitar players on Sunday mornings, one playing lead and one playing EG 2. Our EG players work together to navigate who is playing which part. All of our EG players use a Helix pedal board (the church has 2) for similar tonality. Our current EG players can work with you on the use of this.

• Match parts, tone, rhythms, and tempos.

• Be sure to play each walking line throughout the song.

• Be sure to increase the dynamics the second time through the chorus (page 2 of chord chart).

• Play the lead line/solo in the interlude before the bridge (and during) with the keys/synth.

Keyboards

• Tasteful additions, not too much standing out (good synth seldom stands out from the rest of the band, but rather adds and compliments dynamics from behind.)

• Build and drop well with dynamics, nail syncopated hits (“I won’t be go-ing-un-der”)

• Play the lead line in the interlude before the bridge and throughout the bridge, though this is usually the piano + guitar riff.

• Lots of organ, but always carry pad underneath.

• Tasteful improv with a clear understanding/familiarity of operating your own equipment variety.

Drums

• Drums are the backbone of all songs. Make sure to navigate all dynamic and section changes with confidence and forethought.

• Provide a solid tom groove at the second set of refrains, building up the energy as we head into the second chorus. Be sure to drive the groove into the second chorus.

• It should be big and bashy coming out of the last chorus into the refrain before breaking down.

Vocals

PARTS: Melodies & Harmonies. We want to see your ability to follow various melodies and harmonies throughout songs. All of our vocalists start as background vocals (BGV’s) singing harmonies. During your audition, we may have you sing the song more than once, harmonizing with one of our lead vocalists.

• Sing the lead part (melody) throughout page 1 of the chord chart.

• Please sing a harmony once on page 2 of the chord chart, which is when we repeat the chorus (before heading into the bridge.) You may return to melody once on the bridge.

PHRASING: Pay attention to phrasing, lengthening or shortening notes based on what the lead vocalist is singing. 

PRESENCE: Worship during your audition. We want to get an idea of your stage presence.