What you will need:

1. • Headphones: They can be earbuds or "over the ear" style

   • Two devices, one with a camera. They can be any combination of laptops, phones, or tablets. One will play audio in your headphones, the other will record your audio and/or video.

   • If you are familiar with recording programs like GarageBand, Audacity, or Audition, you can download the mp3 file and use one device for audio recording. (You'll still likely need two devices to record video).

2. APPROACH: We highly recommend that you make two submissions... 1 audio and 1 video. Use the YouTube track below for both. There are two reasons for submitting two versions:

   • Most people's ability to focus on how it sounds separate from how it looks will help improve the quality on both ends.

   • The microphone on your phone is better than the one on your laptop (most record their video on their laptop). Plus, it's easier on our end work with two separate files instead of separating the audio from the video.

3. RECORDING AUDIO ON PHONE:

   • Set up your playing device (laptop, tablet, or separate phone) where you can sit or stand tall and see the YouTube screen.

   • Connect to your playing device using headphones (earbuds or "over-the-ear"). Note if you are using "over-the-ear" headphones, it can create an imbalance in your ears to the point where you can't hear if you're in tune or not. If that might be the case, pull one earphone slightly off your ear (aka rocskstar style).

   • Try not to clear your voice or have any extra noise at least 2 seconds before you begin and at least 2 seconds after you end.

4. RECORDING VIDEO AND AUDIO ON PHONE, TABLET, OR LAPTOP:

   • Make sure your recording device (phone, laptop, tablet with camera) is on a stable surface, is at eye level, and is in landscape mode (wider left to right).

   • Make sure your playing device is connected to headphones.

   • Hold your pose at least 5 seconds before you start and after you end.

5. RECORDING VIDEO ONLY ON PHONE, TABLET, OR LAPTOP:

   • Follow the steps above, but headphones are not needed.

   • Please still sing along, even though we will only use the video.

6. RECORDING AUDIO ONLY IN RECORDING PROGRAM (ADVANCE):

   • If you are familiar with audio workstations like GarageBand, Audacity, Audition, etc., you can download the mp3 and record in your program of choice with headphones.

7. SUBMIT: Please use the Google Form to submit if you have a google account. If not, please use send to my email address (glathe@youthchorale.org) using WeTransfer.com. It will require you to enter a code sent to your email address, but does not require an account set up or anything, and will not send you unsolicited emails.

General Notes:

1. LIGHTING/SHOT: Make sure that you are well lit. Don't shoot in front of a window or with a light source behind you (backlit). Feel free to be creative with your shot, but make sure personal items (family photo, etc.) are not in the shot. The best option is to stand a few feet in front of a wall.

2. WHAT TO WEAR: Please wear your concert attire for this track.

3. NOISE: Please find a room with no fans, away from the washer/dryer, TV, pets, etc. If your furnace is loud, turn it off for the time you are recording. We want to hear just your voice!

4. ENDING: Just like a recording session, please hold your position for a few seconds after you are done. This allows us to have a "tail" at the end of the video, and gives us a chance to hear the "room noise" for editing the audio.

Other notes:

• Staggering breath is okay on longer notes. I can fix that so you won't be heard taking a breath. This is especially true of the last note! Feel free to breath early and come back in on pitch. I can fix it so your breath can't be heard.

• Consider taking a photo of your set up and submitting it (optional). I will post them here so others can get an idea of what to do.

• If you think you may want to submit a second video, please make a note in the comments. I will not edit your video until you've submitted a second video or let me know that you want me to take the first one.

• Remember: Don't let perfect be the enemy of done! There will always be a stray cut off here and there. It can likely be fixed, or may not even be noticeable. If you're using GarageBand, try not to fix too much on your own. If you do multiple takes, do a section at time so there's not an edit in the middle of a phrase.

• And remember to let the camera know you enjoy singing! :-) It's much more difficult to look engaged to a camera, so you should feel like you're over doing it.