Truth be told, the best way to find a job or recruit a candidate is through networking. A referral is great because it sets reference and context to an individual before any screening process comes underway. Although most bands will connect with other musicians through personal and professional connections, there is a place for recruiting a drummer, guitarist, bassist, or singer. There are also a few key points that will help any band recruit top talent that fits the team from a qualification perspective and a personal compatibility.
The common understanding of band recruiting involves posting up a flyer in a music store or creating a simple text ad on the internet. These are great places to start after your network connections have been exhausted. Again, posting an ad should come as a last resort. There are 2 reasons I say this; I already pointed out that finding a potential band member through a connection allows some background information and a contextual reference prior to an interview. In addition, you don’t want to waste your time or candidates time. Why look through resumes and conduct phone screens and auditions when the right singer could be living 2 doors down? Another thing to think about is the candidates themselves. Everyone deserves a response to an application and unless you are prepared to answer each person individually, don’t do it. For starters, you should be courteous, but another angle is that whoever is responding could be a potential fan and you want to demonstrate a professional reputation.
Let’s assume that there are limited connections and you need to post and ad and recruit from there. Below are some simple steps to consider as a process guideline for your recruitment.
- Plan, Prepare, Polish, and Place your advertisement
Your advertisement should be attractive, clear and professional. You want people to respond who are both qualified and interested. You also want to make sure that you are representing your band positively.
- Weed Through Candidates
You are not merely looking through resumes as an employer but looking for talent and a fit. In your posting, ask the candidates to perform a task. A good idea would be for responses to include a link to a YouTube video of the individual demonstrating their talents.
- Phone Screen Musicians
Decide on some key questions and call each candidate that looks interesting. Get a feel for the individual and find out where they plan to go with their musical career. You don’t want to interview and audition someone who only plans on playing music through college and then go on into another profession.
- Interview Musicians
You can only learn so much about someone through a phone call. Set up a time to meet with each candidate one on one. Have the band leader meet each person at a coffee shop for 20 minutes to talk further. From there, if the conversation runs smooth, set up a time to audition with the whole band.
- Audition Musicians
Hold an audition that showcases both skills and confidence. Allow for some time to mess around and get comfortable and then get down to business. Ask the candidate to play something he or she is comfortable with solo. Then jam lightly for a few minutes watching for timing, creativity, and value to your band. Thank the candidate and give a timeline of when you will follow up.
- Band Meeting
Discuss with your band how the audition went and go through concerns and questions for follow up. If all systems are go, then set up a time to relax and jam together.
- Jam Session
Spend a few hours playing together with your new band mate and get the vibe of how the person responds in practice and builds off of the team. Like a working interview, you are judging the candidate in a live setting. At this point, he or she should be comfortable and showing true personality and confidence.
- Put the opportunity in the candidate’s hands
Once a decision has been made to accept a candidate into the band, there should be a lock down conversation. The candidate needs to want to make a commitment and be prepared to go through the trials ahead on the road to success. Have a serious conversation and band meeting with the new musician and explain that you need some serious thought put into the band before he or she can join. Ask the new band mate to take a few days, think about it, and get back to you.
Of course these are general guidelines which can be grouped, altered, or removed depending on what you are looking for. At the same time, you are making a long term decision and ultimately auditioning someone to be not only a band mate, but a friend. Take it seriously or you may regret it down the road.
View This How-To Article at ehow.com |
