It helps to view these transitions as an opportunity, rather than a burden. Accept that with a new lineup, things will change, maybe some arrangements will have to be re-voiced, and maybe parts of your existing repertoire will have to be altered in some way. But you now also have a whole new set of musical possibilities to incorporate.
The Bobs have been together for 24 years. In that time two of us (Matthew and I) have been with the group since the beginning. Weve had three different female singers (Janie, Lori and now Amy) and three different tenor/baritones (Gunnar, Joe and now Dan.) The central core identity of the group has persevered (for better or worse) but each different iteration in the group has brought new changes and colors to the sound, the look, the feel of what it is that makes up the Bobs.
So heres the how-to part:
Auditions:
Auditions can be stressful. (now theres an understatement; maybe terrifying is a better word) You as the hiring group will do yourself a favor by keeping things as low-key and supportive as possible. You dont want to miss out on a possibly good-fitting new member by scaring them off. Yet you need to get a sense of who could fit in well in a fairly short amount of time.
We Bobs have developed a four-part audition process that gives us a good idea of the capabilities and personality of prospective singers, one that only takes about fifteen minutes:
- We ask them to sing something they know - solo - so that we can just get a sense of their vocal quality and pitch independence.
This kind of an audition is usually quick and painless for all concerned (sometimes even fun!), yet it gives us a good sense of who we are singing with.
We usually dont talk at all about business, commitments, schedule, etc. until weve discussed who the best fit is. The audition should be about music, not the practical parts of being in the group.
Ok, now youve made the selection, and youve chosen the most awesome performer from all who youve met. Incorporate them into the groups rehearsals and shows in a way that honors them, protects them and yet lets them shine. Never, never think of them as the new Gunnar, or whomever. Be prepared for surprises - usually pleasant from your new bandmate. When Amy joined the Bobs, we gave her a list of songs and a handful of CDs to listen to. She learned most of the parts on her own time. So well that in our first rehearsal together, she stopped us about half way through the first tune and said Matthew, I dont think youre singing the right part, shouldnt that be an Eb?
Richard Bob Greene is a Grammy nominated arranger, composer, educator, engineer/producer and bass singer/instrumentalist. As the co-founder and co-creator of the a cappella group the Bobs, Greene "fractured and reconstructed the rules for vocal music." Richard is famous (if unnamed) in American advertising history for being the voice of "Fall into the Gap."
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