Audition Structure Guide

A well-structured audition evaluates both musical ability and band fit, making the decision process clear and fair. This guide provides a comprehensive framework for conducting effective auditions.

Why Structure Matters

Benefits of Structured Auditions:

• Evaluate all candidates fairly
• Assess both musical and interpersonal fit
• Make informed decisions
• Create professional impression
• Reduce bias and gut reactions
• Compare candidates objectively

Costs of Unstructured Auditions:

• Miss important red flags
• Make decisions based on incomplete information
• Waste everyone's time
• Look unprofessional
• Struggle to compare candidates
• Regret decisions later

Pre-Audition Preparation Checklist

2-3 Weeks Before

Logistics:

• Book rehearsal space
• Confirm date/time with all band members
• Ensure space has needed equipment
• Plan for parking/access instructions
• Arrange for recording (audio/video) if desired

Materials:

• Select 3-5 songs to play
• Prepare charts/tabs if needed
• Create evaluation rubric
• Prepare list of questions to ask
• Draft follow-up communication templates

Communication:

• Send confirmation email to candidate
• Include address and parking info
• Specify what to bring
• Provide song list and any materials
• Set expectations for audition length
• Include your contact info for questions

1 Week Before

Band Preparation:

• Review candidate's materials together
• Discuss what you're looking for
• Assign roles (who leads, who asks questions)
• Practice the audition songs
• Agree on evaluation criteria
• Discuss dealbreakers and must-haves

Candidate Communication:

• Send reminder email
• Confirm they have everything they need
• Answer any questions
• Reconfirm time and location

Day Before

• Confirm space reservation
• Check equipment is working
• Print evaluation forms
• Review candidate info
• Prepare space (clean, organized)
• Send final reminder to candidate

Day Of (Before Audition)

• Arrive 30 minutes early
• Set up and sound check
• Have water available
• Create welcoming environment
• Review evaluation criteria with band
• Designate note-taker
• Turn off/silence phones

Audition Session Structure

Recommended Timeline (90 minutes total)

Welcome & Setup (10 minutes)

• Greet candidate warmly
• Help with gear setup
• Offer water, bathroom location
• Brief overview of how audition will flow
• Answer any immediate questions

Musical Portion (45-50 minutes)

• Song 1: Something familiar/comfortable (10 min)
• Song 2: More challenging piece (10 min)
• Song 3: Style test or original (10 min)
• Jam/Improvisation (10 min)
• Sight-reading or learning new part (10 min)

Break (5 minutes)

• Casual conversation
• Observe how they interact
• Let them ask informal questions

Interview Portion (20 minutes)

• Background and experience questions
• Commitment and availability questions
• Goals and expectations questions
• Interpersonal and scenario questions
• Their questions for you

Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

• Thank them for coming
• Explain next steps and timeline
• Answer any final questions
• Help pack up if needed
• Walk them out

Musical Evaluation

Song Selection Strategy

Song 1: Comfort Zone

• Something they should know or easy to learn
• Lets them settle nerves
• Shows their baseline ability
• Builds confidence

Song 2: Challenge

• Tests technical ability
• Shows how they handle difficulty
• Reveals problem-solving approach
• Demonstrates preparation

Song 3: Style/Fit Test

• Representative of your actual material
• Tests genre versatility
• Shows creative interpretation
• Assesses musical compatibility

Bonus: Improvisation

• Jam on simple progression
• Tests musical communication
• Shows creativity and listening
• Reveals personality through playing

What to Evaluate Musically

Technical Ability:

• Tone quality
• Timing/rhythm
• Technique and facility
• Intonation (if applicable)
• Dynamic control
• Technical accuracy

Musical Skills:

• Ability to learn quickly
• Sight-reading (if relevant)
• Improvisation ability
• Stylistic appropriateness
• Listening and responding
• Creative interpretation

Performance Qualities:

• Stage presence/confidence
• Energy and engagement
• Communication with band
• Recovery from mistakes
• Adaptability to feedback
• Overall musicality

Musical Evaluation Rubric

Rate each category 1-5 (1=Poor, 3=Adequate, 5=Excellent)

Total Musical Score: ___/45

Standout Moments:

Concerns:

Interview Questions

Background & Experience

1. "Tell us about your musical background."
2. "What's your experience with genre?"
3. "What was your last band like?"
4. "Why did you leave your last band?" (Listen carefully to this one)
5. "What's your practice routine like?"
6. "Do you take lessons or study music?"

Commitment & Availability

7. "Walk us through your typical week."
8. "What's your availability for rehearsals?"
9. "How do you handle scheduling conflicts?"
10. "What other commitments do you have?"
11. "Have you toured before? How do you feel about travel?"
12. "What's your long-term availability?"

Goals & Expectations

13. "What are you looking for in a band?"
14. "Where do you see yourself musically in 2-3 years?"
15. "What does success look like to you?"
16. "What's your ideal rehearsal schedule?"
17. "How many shows per month is ideal for you?"
18. "What are your expectations about income from the band?"

Interpersonal & Scenarios

19. "How do you handle creative disagreements?"
20. "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a bandmate. How did you handle it?"
21. "What's your communication style?"
22. "How do you like to receive feedback?"
23. "What role do you typically play in a band dynamic?"
24. "What would you do if you couldn't make a booked show?"

Band Fit

25. "What do you know about our band?"
26. "What attracted you to this audition?"
27. "What questions do you have for us?"
28. "Is there anything we should know about you?"
29. "What would make this the perfect band for you?"
30. "What concerns do you have?"

Interpersonal Evaluation

What to Observe

Communication:

• Clear and articulate
• Listens well
• Asks good questions
• Responds appropriately
• Professional tone

Attitude:

• Positive and enthusiastic
• Humble but confident
• Open to feedback
• Respectful
• Good sense of humor

Red Flags:

• Badmouths previous bands
• Blames others for problems
• Defensive or argumentative
• Arrogant or dismissive
• Poor communication
• Unrealistic expectations
• Inconsistent stories

Green Flags:

• Takes responsibility
• Shows self-awareness
• Asks thoughtful questions
• Demonstrates preparation
• Positive about past experiences
• Realistic expectations
• Good energy and vibe

Interpersonal Evaluation Rubric

Rate each category 1-5 (1=Poor, 3=Adequate, 5=Excellent)

Total Interpersonal Score: ___/45

Standout Qualities:

Concerns:

Post-Audition Evaluation

Immediately After (Band Only)

First Impressions (5 minutes):

• Quick gut reaction from each member
• Initial thoughts before discussing
• Note any strong feelings (positive or negative)

Detailed Discussion (15-20 minutes):

• Review musical evaluation
• Discuss interpersonal fit
• Share specific observations
• Address any concerns
• Compare to other candidates
• Discuss next steps

Evaluation Worksheet

Candidate Name: _______________ Date: _______________ Position: _______________

Musical Score: ___/45 Interpersonal Score: ___/45 Total Score: ___/90

Strengths:

Concerns:

Comparison to Requirements:

• Must-have skills: Met Not met
• Preferred skills: Met Partially met Not met
• Deal-breakers: None present Present

Band Member Votes:

• Member 1: Yes No Maybe
• Member 2: Yes No Maybe
• Member 3: Yes No Maybe
• Member 4: Yes No Maybe

Decision:

• Strong yes - make offer
• Yes - callback for second audition
• Maybe - need more information
• No - not the right fit

Next Steps:

Follow-up Timeline:

Follow-Up Communication

Response Timeline

Best Practice: Respond within 3-5 days

If You Need More Time: "Thanks for auditioning! We're seeing a few more candidates this week and will make our decision by date. We'll be in touch either way."

Template: Moving Forward

Subject: Next Steps - Band Name Audition

Hi Name,

Thanks for auditioning with us on date. We really enjoyed playing with you!

We'd like to move forward with next step:

Option A - Offer: We'd love to have you join the band. Here's what that would look like:

• Start date: date
• First rehearsal: date/time
• Next steps: what they need to do

Let us know by date if you're interested. Feel free to call/email with any questions.

Option B - Callback: We'd like to have you back for a second audition on date at time. This time we'll what's different about second audition.

Please confirm if this works for you.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Your nameBand nameContact info

Template: Not Moving Forward

Subject: Thanks for Auditioning - Band Name

Hi Name,

Thanks so much for taking the time to audition with us on date. We appreciate you sharing your talent with us.

After careful consideration, we've decided to move forward with another candidate who we felt was a slightly better fit for what we're looking for right now.

We wish you the best in finding the right band. Keep making music!

Best, Your nameBand name

Note: Keep it brief, kind, and don't over-explain. Don't give false hope or detailed feedback unless specifically requested.

Second Audition (If Needed)

When to Do a Second Audition

• Close decision between candidates
• Want to see them with full band
• Need to assess specific concern
• Want them to meet other members
• Testing commitment level
• Evaluating more material

What to Do Differently

Focus Areas:

• More of your actual repertoire
• Longer session to assess stamina
• More casual/social time
• Discuss logistics and expectations in detail
• Have them lead a song or make suggestions
• See how they handle feedback and direction

Make It More Real:

• Simulate actual rehearsal
• Include typical band activities
• Discuss upcoming shows/projects
• Talk about roles and responsibilities
• Address any concerns from first audition

Common Audition Mistakes to Avoid

Band Mistakes

1. Being unprepared - Know your material, have a plan
2. Not agreeing on criteria - Discuss what you're looking for beforehand
3. Letting one person dominate - Everyone should participate
4. Being too casual - Respect their time and effort
5. Not taking notes - You'll forget details
6. Making snap decisions - Take time to evaluate properly
7. Ghosting candidates - Always follow up
8. Ignoring red flags - Trust your instincts

Candidate Red Flags

1. Showing up unprepared - Didn't learn material
2. Being late without communication - Reliability concern
3. Badmouthing previous bands - Will do same to you
4. Not asking questions - Not really interested
5. Defensive about feedback - Won't work well in band
6. Unrealistic expectations - Will be disappointed
7. Poor communication - Will cause problems
8. Gear issues - Not professional enough

Tips for Success

For the Band

1. Prepare thoroughly - Don't wing it
2. Create welcoming environment - Help them do their best
3. Listen more than you talk - Learn about them
4. Take good notes - You'll audition multiple people
5. Trust the process - Don't rush to decide
6. Be honest - About commitment, expectations, reality
7. Follow up promptly - Respect their time
8. Trust your gut - If something feels off, it probably is

For Making the Decision

1. Review all evaluation data - Don't rely on memory
2. Discuss as a band - Everyone should have input
3. Consider both musical and interpersonal fit - Both matter
4. Think long-term - Will this work in 6 months? A year?
5. Check references - Verify what you learned
6. Sleep on it - Don't decide immediately after audition
7. Be unanimous if possible - Or at least majority
8. Have a backup plan - What if first choice declines?

Key Takeaways

1. Structure creates fairness - Evaluate everyone the same way
2. Prepare thoroughly - Good auditions require planning
3. Evaluate both music and fit - Technical ability isn't everything
4. Take good notes - You'll forget details
5. Trust the process - Don't rush to decide
6. Communicate clearly - Set expectations, follow up promptly
7. Listen to concerns - Red flags usually mean something
8. Make it a positive experience - Even if they're not the one

A well-structured audition process helps you find the right member and creates a professional impression that attracts quality musicians. Take the time to do it right!