Preparing for Your Virtual Rehearsal

Virtual rehearsals will be hosted using the videoconferencing tool, Zoom. Zoom has created several video tutorials which you can find by clicking HERE, as well as a “Quick Start Guide for New Users” - click HERE. All of these resources are very informative and thorough and should give users not accustomed to Zoom some helpful information. You can also visit YouTube and conduct a search for helpful Zoom usage tutorials. CICA is not responsible for YouTube advertising content. Click on YouTube titles below to enjoy some of our favorites:

• Joining a Zoom Call for the First Time: Fun & Easy Online Connection

• Zoom for Dummies!

• How to Look Good on Video Calls for Zoom

• 7 Zoom Meeting Tips Every User Should Know

• Zoom Tutorial for Beginners

In addition to the many help features available to assist you on Zoom and on YouTube, here are additional tips to help you maximize your Zoom experience. Links are in bold text.

Choose a space in your home or office that will provide you with the best:

• Connectivity

• Lighting

• Framing

• Background

• Sound

• Privacy

• Comfort

You’re almost ready to join a rehearsal! Here’s an overview of what will happen:

• Expectations During Virtual Rehearsals

CONNECTIVITY

Zoom requires that your wifi and devices meet certain system requirements for the maximum videoconferencing experience. To avoid video or audio quality issues, such as video or audio lagging, please make sure your current internet connectivity meets these requirements. Zoom recommends an internet speed of 1.5 megabits per second (mbps). If you plan to use Zoom at home, you can test your internet speed by going to http://www.speedtest.net/. For even more information regarding Zoom system requirements, click HERE. Also, you may wish to contact your internet service provider to make sure you have what you need in your home or office to ensure the best virtual experience possible. Here are some additional considerations:

1. Make sure the space you decide to use is in good proximity and free from structural barriers that would limit access to your wifi router, hotspot or DSL connections.

2. Ask others in your home to limit or restrain from using devices that connect to the internet while you are accessing the VCR as their connectivity may impact yours.

3. For the best virtual experience and to access the full user features of Zoom, we recommend that you use a laptop or PC. Tablets and cellphones will require the latest Zoom app to be downloaded from your device’s app store. Certain features may be limited, awkward to use or unavailable when using Zoom on a tablet or cell phone.

4. Make sure your devices are running with the latest software updates including the latest version of Zoom at all times. Please be aware that updates more than likely can occur without notice. Regularly checking the Zoom website is highly recommended.

5. Make sure devices are fully charged prior to virtual rehearsals - have chargers nearby or plugged in ready to use in the event your device’s battery level decreases.

6. Though accessing the VCR can be done using audio only on a cellphone or landline, we would prefer you to access the VCR using video whenever possible. Please reserve the use of audio only access by phone when you experience issues with internet connectivity or problems with your device.

7. As you enter the Waiting Room in Zoom, you will always be able to check the quality of your video and audio connection - make use of this to ensure everything is working properly.

8. At any time, should you run into issues connecting to the VCR or using Zoom, please reach out via call, text or email to our Technical Assistant or Manager. 

lighting

Generally, the space where you access the VCR should have indirect lighting as much as possible, with good coverage to show faces well. During daylight hours, avoid having the camera pointed toward windows or glass doors to avoid distractive glaring into your device’s camera.

You need to realize that the video experience will be defined by the environment and lighting of that environment. Your lighting selection and configuration in the room where you access the VCR plays an important part in optimizing your video image in Zoom. As you setup Zoom, you will want to thoroughly check how the lighting in your environment impacts your video image.  External daylight influence will have a large impact on the camera’s perception of that room depending on the time of day if the space is not shaded well or overshaded. Sometimes, daylight can be used as an advantage when directed toward faces while keeping in mind the lighting experience may change as the sun begins to set, during environmental factors such as weather, or during time changes as a result of Daylight Savings Time.

Indirect light is recommended to avoid washing out of images with high luminance. If the room is intentionally being set up with Zoom in mind, cross-key lighting as well as backlighting should be considered to keep a nice balance of light across your face and surfaces being captured in your device’s camera. Light rings and other lighting accessories can also be purchased online to optimize lighting for videoconferencing.

Click HERE for more helpful information in making sure lighting is properly addressed in your space.

Framing

Framing your image appropriately using your device's camera in Zoom and for your virtual performances is very important. Poor camera framing has the potential for promoting distractions during virtual rehearsals, and hindering uniformity of the look of the ensemble during virtual performances. For the comfort of others and for the best overall group experience, please keep your image in the screen as suggested by the following example:

BACKGROUND

You will need to consider the background you wish to use while in the VCR. Walls and other surfaces will have a direct impact on lighting and the overall video quality of your image. It is suggested that you choose a simple background free of visual distractions such as ceiling fans, glaring lights from windows or doors or other lights such as lamps, desk lights or wall lights. Generally, backgrounds should be free of anything that might be distracting to others.

Virtual backgrounds are a fun way to add a little personality to your Zoom experience. For more information on using virtual backgrounds click HERE. Please do not use virtual backgrounds that are animated video while in the VCR to limit any distracting elements for others caused by the moving images. In addition, no virtual backgrounds of any kind should be used when making at-home video recordings for virtual performances. Realize that you may be given more guidance by the instructor or manager about backgrounds prior to at-home video recordings.

SOUND 

Zoom provides helpful tutorials to assist you in making sure the sound quality is maximized for your Zoom session. Click HERE to access their tutorials and guidelines for testing your device, as well as, your device microphone prior to entering the VCR. Generally, noise cancelling headphones provide you with the best audio experience. You may wish to purchase a quality set that provides the best range of sound and best level of comfort.

PRIVACY

As only registered members of CICA and technical support personnel may be in the VCR, likewise only your image should be represented in the video during the session. Choose a space that will be private for you, away from the central activity of others, and affords you the best opportunity to be away from noise or activity that may distract you or other members.

We do ask that you keep your video on during virtual rehearsals except for times you may need to step away to handle personal matters (e.g., bathroom breaks, emergency phone calls, family matters, etc.). Due to the shortened rehearsal time, there will be no collective break during the virtual rehearsal, however, you are free to handle matters that may arise just remember to stop your video for these times. Due to the shortened rehearsal time, we do ask you to handle personal matters as quickly as you can and return to the virtual rehearsal. Should you wish more information on how to start or stop your video in Zoom click HERE.

COMFORT 

One of the great privileges of the VCR is that it gives our members the safest and most comfortable of platforms in which to participate. With that in mind, here are some considerations to improve your overall comfort while keeping others in mind during your virtual rehearsal:

1. Choose a comfortable chair in which to seat during the session while making sure the chair is supportive of good posture and breath support when singing.

2. Please no laying on couches or beds while in the VCR in consideration of others and to maintain good posture.

3. No eating in the VCR.

4. Do have water available for hydration during the virtual rehearsal.

5. Dress comfortably but in consideration of others. No pajamas or other clothing that might be distracting to others. Remember, what the camera sees is what everybody sees!

6. Avoid excessive movement or noise.

Expectations During Virtual Rehearsals

Each virtual rehearsal will begin with a 5-minute warmup followed by a 20-25 minute SATB conductor’s focus where the conductor will rehearse or discuss various elements with the complete choir. Following the SATB conductor’s focus, members will be assigned to virtual Breakout Rooms for sectional breakout sessions according to their assigned vocal part. During the sectional breakout sessions, a choral assistant will be working to build musicianship and member confidence on individual phrases within the music as assigned by the conductor. Elements of note confidence, phrasing, breathing, diction, vocal attack, vowel unification, among others, will be rehearsed. Members will be asked during these sessions to listen to and/or access guiding tracks and rehearsal tutorials via a link provided on the CICA website to support independent, muted work as assigned by the choral assistant. It is suggested that members familiarize themselves with the guiding tracks and rehearsal tutorials (how and where to access them) and their use prior to the start of the semester. Further, it is suggested that members consider having a secondary device available during the session to access these resources should the Zoom session have difficulties with supplying good audio quality for the playback. Having a secondary device available will ensure that the rehearsal may continue should technical difficulties arise. 

No Talking! Please pay attention while the instructor, manager or choral assistant is talking or working on specific sections. If you have a question or concern, use the chat feature or contact the manager following the rehearsal.

Listen! During rehearsal, before each phrase of a choral piece is worked on, the choral assistant will give the location of the starting point as well as which corresponding guiding track to access. This may include the guiding track name, and in the music, the page number, system number, phrase number, measure number, or beat within the measure. If you are unfamiliar with how to read your music, please advise your choral assistant. 

Mark your music! Mark your music in pencil with all instructions for your section. As we are not in a traditional rehearsal situation, the quality of your markings will greatly impact your ability to recall important details when making your video recordings for the virtual performances. Do not use a highlighter on music that is the property of CICA. Highlighters can be used on any music personally printed or downloaded. Music packets will be available to you at different pickup locations following the pre-semester party. Pickup locations and dates will be emailed to you. If you prefer, annotated scores may be downloaded or printed by clicking HERE.

Do your homework! Come to rehearsal prepared. Homework will be posted for the week on the CICA website. Due to the modified nature of virtual rehearsals, it is expected that all members will set aside additional time each week to thoroughly practice their music at home using provided guiding tracks, accessing online supports & videos, and, whenever possible, by practicing note reinforcement using a keyboard. Note: for CSUCI students, time is allotted on Mondays following the virtual rehearsal to work independently as directed by the instructor.