Virtual Choir Instructions
Welcome to Spirit Song's Virtual Choir
This page will guide you through the process of creating and uploading your video for inclusion in the Spirit Song virtual choir.
How it works
In short You will be recording your voice part video while hearing the accompaniment and your voice part in your headphones and watching Mary conduct. The conductor video ensures that you are lined up with everyone else and the headphones ensure we only record your voice in your track and nothing else.. We will then blend your voice with the full choir.
What You'll Need
A Device to play the voice part video with Mary conducting,
A Device to record you singing. 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
Guidance for Singers
For some it can be a little scary listening to the sound of your own voice and seeing yourself sing. Be not afraid for the virtual choir will help you. Just like in a live choir your voice will be brought together with everyone's in the final product. Each and everyone one of us has gifts to offer (thank you!) and the power of this project is the joining of all of us together as one.
Don't Forget Your Choral Singing Basics
Watch for entrances and cutoffs
Remember the style and nuances to the particular piece
Sing with good posture and breath support
Sing from your heart-- It will come through in your tone and your face
If you make a mistake while recording, or the neighbor starts to mow lawn, or your kids decide to practice piano in the middle of the recording. . . do not fear -- you can stop and start over before submitting your video
Recording your Video
Open your video recorder of choice but don't start recording yet. Check the volume of your microphone and adjust as needed.
Make sure you are centered in the frame and you are recording in landscape mode (i.e. horizontal or wide screen mode)
Open the conductor video for your voice track. Plug in your head phones to which ever device you are playing the conductor track on. It is important that the only sound in the room will be you singing.
Begin your recording and play the conductor video. See below for detailed videos on how to record on your device. Note: Be sure to record in landscape mode (wide screen) and if using a phone to record take care not to cover up the microphone, usually on the bottom of the phone where you speak into it. If you have someone helping you hold the phone to record they must be absolutely silent (careful with heavy breathers!)
Sing the song! Be sure to watch and follow Mary and use the music in the conductor video if possible to minimize any page turns or noise in the video. Ensure you are looking at the camera and not down.
When the music finishes stay in concert pose until the countdown at the end of the video completes -- take in the virtual applause for your stellar performance.
You can now playback what you heard if you like. Once you are happy with the recording, save it to your device, labelling it with the name of the song, your voice part and your full name
Upload the completed video using the submission form found Here
Recording on your Computer (PC)
Recording on your Apple Device
Recording on Andriod
Submitting Your Video
Upload the completed video using the submission form found Here