Preparing for Your Virtual Performance

Perhaps the most innovative yet challenging part of participating in a virtual chorus is when members are asked to record a video that will be stitched together into a virtual performance. We have prepared some helpful advice and information to assist you in navigating through this important component of the VCR.

Remember that Vincent Dominguez and Emma Zandbergen will be there to help if you have questions, wish to share ideas, or encounter a challenge. Their contact information is HERE.

Click the following for information on:

1. Schedule and deadline

2. Attire for the recording

3. How to prepare a space in your home or office for recording

4. Steps and procedures on recording the video you will be submitting

5. How to upload your video once satisfied with it

Schedule and Deadline 

The following dates are for Spring 2021

• You can record your videos any time from Friday evening April 16 through the end-of-day Wednesday April 21.

• The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on April 21.

• Instructions for uploading are in the final section below.

Attire

The following information is for Spring 2021

Due to the virtual setting of our performances, singers should realize that concert attire will be viewed in a new manner; in this case, close up and from the waist up as this will be the primary view of our audience. With this in mind, it is very important to adhere to the mandatory attire described below. Colors and styles have been chosen to provide uniformity and the best possible video representation. Also, please keep framing for your video recording in mind - see “Recording Your Video” below for additional support. Although not visible in your video due to the required framing or made mandatory, planning for pants, skirts and shoes should be kept in mind to keep you comfortable, as well as, coordinated with your upper body look.

• Emphasize colors chosen from the palette below.

• Feel free to wear accents such as scarves, jewelry, neckties, bowties, vests, etc.

PREPARING YOUR RECORDING SPACE

To record your video for virtual performances, you will need two devices: one device to listen to the performance track and another device to record your performance. You can use any combination of a desktop or laptop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, a digital camera, or a video camera, however, a smartphone is recommended for recording your video due to its easy to use applications for recording and uploading videos. You will need to wear headphones or earbuds connected to the device that will be used to playback the performance track. These are necessary so that you can clearly listen to the guiding track while ensuring that only your voice is being recorded.

1. If possible, please record your video in front of a plain wall that is white, off-white or beige, or other plain background of similar color. No decorative objects such as artwork, posters, furniture, shelving, decorative items, etc. should be on the wall serving as your background. Also, be careful not to include ceiling fans or shuttered or shaded windows in your background.

2. Make sure you look good and that your appearance represents the PVSD Chorus with the highest of quality. Please refer to the “Attire for Virtual Performances" section for mandatory dress requirements for virtual performances. It is expected that members use the same thoughtfulness in their appearance as they would for a live traditional performance.

3. Please make sure your face is brightly-lit with no bright windows or doors located behind you.

4. If you can, record in a quiet room with the door closed to reduce unnecessary noise. Turn off fans, air conditioners or anything that could make noise during your recording time.

5. Make sure to silence devices (including sounds generated from notifications) to avoid interruptions. On some smart devices, sounds will interrupt either the recording or playback of your audio.

6. Please make sure that only you are in the video. No invited guests or video bombing by friends, family or pets allowed!

7. Do some test recording before proceeding to do your main recording. It is always a good idea to record yourself practicing and then playback the video to carefully evaluate how you sound and to judge the overall quality of the recording.

Recording Your Video

1. Record your video using a vertical (portrait) format. This will assist the video editor in having the best format to edit and will unify the look for the virtual performance.

2. You will want to fill the frame with your head and shoulders, leaving a small space above your head with a little more space below your chin. Do not be concerned about the sides of the video appearing empty as that will be handled in the post production phase.

3. You may use your music during the recording, but you will want to give the appearance that you have it memorized for the best possible look during the recording process. Better yet, work to memorize your music prior to the recording. If you must use your music, work to position it so that it is not seen during the recording process. Have it located in such a way that it gives the illusion that you are looking into the lens of the camera.

4. Your facial expressions during the recording should reflect the emotional intentions of the text and music. Refer to notes that the instructor and your choral assistant have given you regarding this. As facial expressions will be even more observable during a virtual performance vs. a traditional, in-person performance, you must make every effort to enliven your face for the benefit of our audience.

5. When ready, first start the recording of your video on your smartphone then the playback of the guiding track on your secondary device.

6. You will hear a click track layered over the guiding track giving you the introductory beats prior to the start of singing. You will have worked with your instructors prior to this recording to fully understand how the click track works.

7. The click track has been designed to serve as a synchronous element to knit everything together during the post production stage. Do your best to stay with the click track and accurately sing all phrases with your best voice.

8. After recording, conduct a critical playback and self-critique of your video. Print and use the checklist posted on this website by clicking HERE. Complete and score the checklist as you watch and listen to your video. After totaling the score, check to see if you have met the mark for excellence. If so, congratulations, your recording is done and ready for uploading! Scores below the mark for excellence should be re-recorded focusing on the lowest scoring items of the self-critique during the recording time. Please feel free at any time to contact Vincent Dominguez or Emma Zandbergen should you have questions about the checklist or if you wish to have another critical ear view and listen to your video recording.

Uploading Your Video

NOTE!
The deadline for uploading is Wednesday April 21 at 11:59 p.m. You can submit your video any time from Friday evening April 16 through Wednesday April 21. You can submit only one video recording for the song so make sure it is your best! Once your video is uploaded, it cannot be deleted or replaced.

STOP!
Before uploading your video - did you conduct a self-evaluation of your video? Make sure you have completed "My Video Self-Evaluation" and received a passing score! You can access the self-evaluation by clicking HERE.

NOTE!
Arts Laureate will collect your submissions via a Dropbox upload link. Dropbox can appear differently depending on whether you are logged in as a Dropbox user, or if you are accessing from a desktop or mobile app; your specific submission naming may be slightly different than what is shown below. The most important thing is to know your VOICE PART, your FULL NAME, and the SONG NAME - so be sure to include all in your submission.

1. Before uploading, if possible, rename your video file with your voice part, your full name and the song name, either

   • PART1_YOURNAME_SISI_KUSHANGILIA or

   • PART2_YOURNAME_SISI_KUSHANGILIA

2. When ready to upload your video, click on the picture of the arrow to the right. If possible, use a private/incognito browser tab. (Dropbox will not allow you to alter your info if you are already signed in.)

3. You will be directed to a Dropbox site for “Sisi Kushangalia.”

4. Click “Add Files”. Select your video file stored on your device. (Instructions will vary depending on device - consult YouTube for tutorials.)

5. Depending on how you access the Dropbox link, you will be prompted to enter either:

   • Your VOICE PART in the First Name field, and your FULL NAME in the Last Name field, or

   • Your VOICE PART_FULL NAME in the name field, and your email in the email field

6. Click upload. Please upload your video only once. Should you mistakenly upload more than one, please reach out to Vincent or Emma immediately.

Congratulations, you did it! You are on your way to virtual chorus stardom! All that’s left is for you to celebrate the beautiful music you have virtually created. Keep your eyes open for news of the on-demand event; we’ll let you know how and when you can watch.