What It Means to Serve in the House Band

The Pilgrimage House Band serves as the musical leadership for the four worship sessions during Pilgrimage. The members of the House Band are selected through an application and audition process during the summer and will gather for rehearsals before the Pilgrimage weekend. Youth who desire to serve the Lord with their musical talent are invited to audition.

How to Apply

• Read this entire page carefully and ensure that you understand the requirements, especially regarding rehearsal attendance.
• Fill out the application form below
• Record your two videos (or three, for vocalists singing harmonies).
• Submit your videos at the link provided in the email by June 30.
• Watch for an email informing you whether you will be invited to audition in person. We hope to send these out by July 15.

Important Deadlines

• Online application and video audition submissions due June 30
• In-person auditions, by invitation only: July 18

Rehearsal Dates

The rehearsals are designed for the House Band to work on music for Pilgrimage but also allow some time for team building, discussion, and getting to know one another before the Pilgrimage weekend. As these dates serve as our main opportunities to work together and prepare for Pilgrimage, attendance is required for all the above-listed events. Please keep this in mind as you think and pray about auditioning to be in the House Band.

Please note that all rehearsals are mandatory for participation in the House Band. Make sure that you will be able to commit to these dates  and times before you submit an application.

• August 22, 10am – 4pm
• September 26, 10am – 4pm
• October 17, 10am – 4pm
• November 13, 2pm

Details

• To be eligible, youth should be in the 10th-12th grade at the time of the Pilgrimage weekend
• Youth should have some type of musical experience for at least one year or one performance season. While we are open to a diverse range of instruments and musical expression, here are some key musical elements we are looking for: vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, drums, percussion, and keyboards.
• Please fill out the form as completely and accurately as possible, particularly where it asks for contact information. Make sure that any email address or phone number you give is one that will be checked regularly.

Audition Details

In an effort to make the application process more accessible and streamlined, we are making adjustments to the audition process this year. Auditions will take place in two phases. The first round of auditions will be conducted by video submission (see below for details on what and how to submit). Following this, a subset of applicants will be invited to audition in person. This in-person audition is mandatory, as we will be evaluating the blend of voices and band dynamics. 

As before, participation in the rehearsals is a requirement for participation in the house band. Please ensure that you will be available for these dates (as well as the in-person audition) before you submit your application.

Phase 1: Video-Recorded Audition

Applicants will be asked to submit videos of themselves singing/playing two songs, one of their choice, and one chosen by the House Band leaders, by June 30.

Song #1: Your Choice

• Record yourself singing and/or playing a worship song that you think highlights your musical abilities.
• You may submit a recording from a church service in which you were serving on the music team. However, please ensure that you can be heard clearly in the mix. We reserve the right to ask for a different video recording if we cannot hear you well enough to make an evaluation.
• Vocalists: You may opt to use a backing track or sing this a capella (or play an instrument on your own). Ensure that your voice is clearly heard above any other sounds.
• Instrumentalists: Ideally, submit a recording of you playing within an ensemble (even if it is just you and one other instrument). If needed, you may use a backing track; simply ensure that your instrument can be heard clearly above it, especially if you are doubling a part in the backing track.
• Vocalists and Instrumentalists: You are welcome to accompany yourself if you are auditioning for both an instrument and vocals.

Song #2: Our Choice

• Record yourself using the backing track(s).
  • Vocalists: “Holy Forever”
    • Choose the backing track in the musical key that best highlights your voice in the song. View backing tracks in all 12 keys.
    • If you feel confident singing harmonies, please consider submitting an additional recording. Utilize either of these recordings as a backing track, but make sure your vocals can be heard above the track. Choose whichever of these recordings is best for you:
      • “Holy Forever” – Track 1
      • “Holy Forever” – Track 2
  • Instrumentalists: “Lion and the Lamb”
    • Play along with the original recording by Leeland in the key of B.
    • View chord charts.

Technical Information:

• Picture/Lighting: Please ensure that you and your instrument (if applicable) are clearly visible within the video frame. We do not need feature film lighting, but we want to be able to see you!
• Sound: Please ensure that you (vocals and/or instruments) can be heard clearly. When using the backing track for the required song, ensure that you can be heard alongside and above the backing track.
  • If you have technical know-how and wish to record through a DAW and sync it with your video, you are welcome to do so!
  • However, we will gladly accept a simple setup involving one device to play the backing track, and another device to record the video and audio (also capturing the backing track being played from a separate device). 
• File Names: Please ensure that your files are clearly labeled in the following format— “FirstnameLastname_SongTitle” (e.g. “DebbieWong_FirmFoundation”)
• Submission: Upload your audition videos to a Google Drive or Dropbox and share the link in the application form below.

Phase 2: In-person Audition

If you are selected to move on to the second phase of auditions, you will be notified by email and required to attend an in-person audition on July 18 in the Triangle.