Adam Ruddock from the autumn soul band reflects on his time on band over the past 3 years.

Hey! I’m Adam Ruddock. I’m 21, study Music and Sound at Ulster University and for the past 3 years I’ve had the pleasure of leading the Autumn Soul Band!

From the audition I knew this band would have a massive learning curve for myself and that is down to the fact that I Initially auditioned on drums and had zero intention or desire to be singing. However, the Lord had other ideas as it seems.

In the learning experience, one of the larger things I learned and wrestled with throughout the 3 years was deciding, “why”. Why, musically, am I doing what I am doing?

From the get go I realised there’s such an ease to create a performance, I went into it with so many ideas of how we could make all the songs sound cool and unique, but amidst all the mind mapping I realised I was trying to glorify myself and the band through the worship and not God.

So from the start I realised I have to be so intentional about what I’m playing and know why I’m playing it, from the words that I am singing to if we are adding in builds or cuts. If it wasn’t fully for, to and through God, it wasn’t for us to do.

This process of weighing and testing every song and idea helped grow my faith because, from knowing exactly what the songs we were singing meant and why every note was being hit,  brought me into a deeper place of worship, a more honest place. There was no allowance to be on auto pilot or cruise control, it didn’t allow me to just ‘go through the motions’, it required me to have my full focus on God. And knowing that worship can be ‘spiritual’, he says in air quotes, i.e. deep in a song hands lifted. But it can also look ‘practical’, keeping the band together in the set with signals or using the MD mic. And both and equal valued by God.

Throughout my three years, one of my highlights has been watching every band member grow in their faith and actively want to pursue Christ in a deeper, more intimate way than when they started. Seeking to play their instrument, not to bring a light on to themselves but to provide a space for young people can’t have their eyes solely focused on Jesus. Becoming almost invisible on stage.

I am so thankful for God for giving me the opportunity to grow in my confidence and ability as a leader and how he has used this opportunity to bring me closer to him. These 3 years, with their ups and downs, have genuinely been such a blessing and I’m so excited to see the next band and how God is going to use them for his glory!

Colossians 3:16

- Adam Ruddock

If you would like to be a part of the next event band, visit this page and apply now. Applications close on the 6th of January, 2025