Virtual Choir Instructions

• A Device to play the conductor track

• A Device to record you playing. This can be done on a computer or with a phone. If using a phone you may need a helper to hold the phone for you

• A pair of headphones. Earbuds are preferable because they are less noticeable.

• Software or an App to record. On Apple and Android devices the Camera app works well. If you are using a computer to record, you will need software like Quicktime, Photobooth or the Windows Camera app. Instructional Videos are below on how to do this

• A quiet room free of external noise. Turn off anything that hums or buzzes, like fans, air conditioners, or heaters. Your background should be free of any distracting patterns or things and would be ideally light colored to contrast with your attire.

• Dress as you would for a concert in Spirit Song's signature jewel tones or as instructed by Mary

Performing in a virtual choir video can produce some unique challenges for instrumentalists. It is often much harder to match pitch and rhythm across a section as you can't hear each other. Furthermore, we don't produce individual part tracks for you to play along with. Another more obvious issue is how to get a good video with a large instrument and the fact that you are not always able to be 1 1/2 feet from your computer. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help through this process:

1. Checking your Mic Levels -- the dynamic range achievable on most instruments is much greater than an average singer and produce. The devices and software we use for this are geared toward recording human voice speaking and therefore don't always work well in extreme dynamic situations. You should check your mic volume by playing the softest and loudest part of a song before committing your mic volume setting. The instructional videos below show how to validate on a computer.

2. Tune to A440 hz -- we generally don't provide tuning notes in the recording so a portable tuner works well.

3. Submit two files -- Often times it is hard to get a good sound take AND video take at the same time as you should have most of you and your instrument in the video. With short length earbud cords this is a huge challenge. A strategy here is to do one recording and focus on ideal audio. Then play the song again, but optimize for video capture. Also, please don't fake the second video -- play for real but make it look good for the camera -- It is easy for the trained eye to tell when you are not really playing along with the track.

4. Large instruments or instruments with pick ups -- There are other technologies that can assist in gathering good quality sound if you have a pickup on your instrument or if you are on the high or low end of sound sound spectrum ( ie. Piccolo or Double Bass, Tuba, organ, etc). If you have questions in this category, please contact Corey for assistance.`

5. Frame your video in Landscape (wide screen) mode. It is better for me to crop then not have enough. Also, you should have chest level and up for instruments played while sitting and waist up for standing instruments. It is important to see as well as hear you. Leave a little room above your head. Be sure the stand does not obscure the video when you do that portion. (Again submitting two recordings, one audio and one video provides another advantage here)

6. Click tracks are added to help keep you with the music. Singers have the advantage of seeing the conductor and their music on the screen. Be sure to practice a few times with the click track so so you are aware of any tempo changes in the song .

7. It is imperative that you make sounds with Mary's clapping at the beginning of your recording. While Clapping may not be feasible for some players, Pizzicato on strings or short staccato notes played on a wind instrument provide a critical guide when compiling all the videos.

8. 
   

Upload the completed video using the submission form found Here