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Mission: This site is to help teachers and music directors create their own Virtual Ensembles and to show administrators the value/cost of equipping music teachers with these tools. You will be lead through the process from beginning to end to make a simple video mosaic of your musicians.
Mission: This site is to help teachers and music directors create their own Virtual Ensembles and to show administrators the value/cost of equipping music teachers with these tools. You will be lead through the process from beginning to end to make a simple video mosaic of your musicians.
"The work put into a virtual ensemble will reach more people than any concert."
"The work put into a virtual ensemble will reach more people than any concert."
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Tutorial Videos using Adobe Premiere and Audition will be added by mid August.
Tutorial Videos using Adobe Premiere and Audition will be added by mid August.
Call My Children Home Final.m4vCall My Children Home - Loudoun Valley HS
Call My Children Home - Loudoun Valley HS
Simple Example
Simple Example
That Lonesome Road.m4vThat Lonesome Road - Broad Run HS
That Lonesome Road - Broad Run HS
Simple Example
Simple Example
Baba Yetu - LCPS Virtual Choir
Baba Yetu - LCPS Virtual Choir
Elaborate Example
Elaborate Example
BWHS Alma Mater2nd Draft.m4vAlma Mater - Briar Woods HS
Alma Mater - Briar Woods HS
Instrumental + Vocal Example
Instrumental + Vocal Example
Addressing Equity:
Addressing Equity:
There may be some students that have challenges at home that would prevent them from participating in a virtual choir. Most equity issues are addressed with school systems setting their students up for distance learning.
There may be some students that have challenges at home that would prevent them from participating in a virtual choir. Most equity issues are addressed with school systems setting their students up for distance learning.
- Not finding a quiet place at home to record.
- If we are at a blended model of in person and virtual instruction. It is preferable to have a recording station set up in your classroom. There students in groups or alone can record themselves.
- Having a sheet hung/draped behind the in their closet is a great space.
- Having the right equipment.
- Any school issued laptop can be your recording device or any smartphone.
Students with Special Needs: Recording their whole performance in one take may be too much for them. Consider having them record multiple videos by section and then you can insert them where they go.
Students with Special Needs: Recording their whole performance in one take may be too much for them. Consider having them record multiple videos by section and then you can insert them where they go.
Privacy: Students that cannot be filmed for privacy or other reasons may participate with audio only or use video filters on their phones. On the submission form make sure they acknowledge that this performance is for a public product.
Privacy: Students that cannot be filmed for privacy or other reasons may participate with audio only or use video filters on their phones. On the submission form make sure they acknowledge that this performance is for a public product.
Teachers may not have the resources to get their hands on a new Apple computer.
Teachers may not have the resources to get their hands on a new Apple computer.
- Apple does have pricing options for teachers.
- You can find refurbished Apple computers with warranties from apple or third parties.
- I was able to create virtual choirs on my 2013 MacBook Pro running OSX Catalina in April of 2020
- PTSO, instructional funds, may be able to help with the cost.
- Your school system may have some more powerful computers elsewhere that you may be able to use.
- Propose creating an editing and recording space in your school for all the Fine Arts to have access too. Many schools are allocated money for video announcements, there may be resources already in place.
- Above linked educator pricing for Apple and Adobe Software
Picking Music: Works that has been created responsibly, ethically, and speaks to the cultural diversity of you community is even more important when you are only performing one piece at a time. Vary your choices.
Picking Music: Works that has been created responsibly, ethically, and speaks to the cultural diversity of you community is even more important when you are only performing one piece at a time. Vary your choices.
Software and Hardware Used:
Software and Hardware Used:
Logic Pro or GarageBand: This is audio editing software used to sync the audio tracks and line up the phrases/consonants. The slice and dice. The techniques demonstrated will translate to most audio editing software.
Logic Pro or GarageBand: This is audio editing software used to sync the audio tracks and line up the phrases/consonants. The slice and dice. The techniques demonstrated will translate to most audio editing software.
Final Cut Pro and WeVideo: Video editing software, unlike GarageBand iMovie will not be able to make a video mosaic. WeVideo is a cheaper option that will make a crude virtual ensemble. Some school districts already have a license to WeVideo.
Final Cut Pro and WeVideo: Video editing software, unlike GarageBand iMovie will not be able to make a video mosaic. WeVideo is a cheaper option that will make a crude virtual ensemble. Some school districts already have a license to WeVideo.
Apple Computer (Final Cut): If you are using a Windows computer Adobe Premiere ($20 month for all apps) is your equivalent option. Adobe products also work with Macs. I have made Virtual Ensembles on my 2013 MacBook Pro, you don't need the high end Mac to do this work.
Apple Computer (Final Cut): If you are using a Windows computer Adobe Premiere ($20 month for all apps) is your equivalent option. Adobe products also work with Macs. I have made Virtual Ensembles on my 2013 MacBook Pro, you don't need the high end Mac to do this work.
Google Chrome (WeVideo): Any computer (mac/win) with the current version of Google Chrome will be able to run WeVideo. You may want to do the work on a larger screen or use a TV as your monitor if using a laptop. $4.99/month
Google Chrome (WeVideo): Any computer (mac/win) with the current version of Google Chrome will be able to run WeVideo. You may want to do the work on a larger screen or use a TV as your monitor if using a laptop. $4.99/month
Windows or Mac OS Adobe Premiere: Tutorials Coming soon
Windows or Mac OS Adobe Premiere: Tutorials Coming soon
Why Macs and their native software? The main reason is price of the software. As an educator you can get Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Mainstage, Compressor, and Motion 5 (custom FCPX effects) for $200. Second is that I have found the Mac programs slightly more user friendly. See linked article on the comparison. The Adobe programs are $20/month for educators.
Why Macs and their native software? The main reason is price of the software. As an educator you can get Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Mainstage, Compressor, and Motion 5 (custom FCPX effects) for $200. Second is that I have found the Mac programs slightly more user friendly. See linked article on the comparison. The Adobe programs are $20/month for educators.
External Solid State Hard Drive: You will need a n external hard drive unless your computer has more the 1TB of storage. Preferably a Solid State Drive (SSD), they are 4x faster than the conventional Hard Disk Drives(HHD) and allow you to work quickly with more videos at once. I used a large 4TB HHD ($100) for storage and a 1TB SSD ($150) for the projects i'm currently working on.
External Solid State Hard Drive: You will need a n external hard drive unless your computer has more the 1TB of storage. Preferably a Solid State Drive (SSD), they are 4x faster than the conventional Hard Disk Drives(HHD) and allow you to work quickly with more videos at once. I used a large 4TB HHD ($100) for storage and a 1TB SSD ($150) for the projects i'm currently working on.
Also Discussed:
Also Discussed:
DIY Backdrops and DIY Camera Lights + Home and Classroom Microphones
DIY Backdrops and DIY Camera Lights + Home and Classroom Microphones
Instructional Scenarios for the Fall 2020
Instructional Scenarios for the Fall 2020
In both scenarios you will have a chance to teach your students how to work with a camera, microphones and even make artistic choices on settings/backdrops for your Virtual Ensemble.
In both scenarios you will have a chance to teach your students how to work with a camera, microphones and even make artistic choices on settings/backdrops for your Virtual Ensemble.
Scenerio Two.m4vScenario 1: All Online (Syncro-Sectionals)
Scenario 1: All Online (Syncro-Sectionals)
Students will have to take ownership of recording at home. I recommend teachers focus on one Virtual Ensemble piece a quarter and teach small group voice lessons/ sectionals. You can have everyone muted and play accompaniment tracks for them to sing along to.
Students will have to take ownership of recording at home. I recommend teachers focus on one Virtual Ensemble piece a quarter and teach small group voice lessons/ sectionals. You can have everyone muted and play accompaniment tracks for them to sing along to.
Making a VE Outro.m4vScenario 2: Blended and In Person
Scenario 2: Blended and In Person
Addressing smaller class sizes you can record your students in small groups or individually in school and then put them together virtually. You may also record concerts during the school day for virtual releases. This is a chance for us to focus more on vocal production than performance.
Addressing smaller class sizes you can record your students in small groups or individually in school and then put them together virtually. You may also record concerts during the school day for virtual releases. This is a chance for us to focus more on vocal production than performance.
Why are Virtual Ensembles Important
Why are Virtual Ensembles Important
Scenerio One.m4v- Create meaningful and authentic performances for your community.
- Giving a performance goal and finished product for your ensembles.
- Protect your job, budget and music in our school systems.
- You can reach a very wide audience.
LCPS Virtual Choir 40,000+ Views as of 6/24
Message from Laura.m4v
How Laura Lazarevich Made a Virtual Choir Spring 2020
How Laura Lazarevich Made a Virtual Choir Spring 2020
What if you don't want to go through the process of editing. Laura tells you how she made a virtual choir and gives you some resources on how to outsource some of the work.
What if you don't want to go through the process of editing. Laura tells you how she made a virtual choir and gives you some resources on how to outsource some of the work.
About Nigel Tangredi
About Nigel Tangredi
I am in my 13th year of teaching and 10th at Briar Woods High School and the Choir Director, AP Music Theory teacher, and Assistant Band Director for one block. My main experience with pro audio and video is from high school where i taught myself the basics making videos with my friends and playing in a rock band. I've always needed technology to help me in the classroom because my piano skills are not great. I am what you call a rhythm pianist.
I received my undergraduate degree an education and my masters in conducting from George Mason University and am licensed K-12 for both vocal and instrumental instruction. I am also the bass section leader at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Herndon. My wife Chrissy and I live in Chantilly VA with our dog Pepper enjoying all the wonderful cultural experiences Northern Virginia has to offer.
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