Thank you for lending your time, effort, voice, and talents to this project. The contribution of all of the family & friends from the community touched by Don Grant will make this project an absolutely fitting tribute to a musician and educator who affected so many lives throughout his career and his life.
In order to keep the project moving forward, we are asking for your videos to be submitted no later than the end of the day on Sunday, December 27.
In order to keep the project moving forward, we are asking for your videos to be submitted no later than the end of the day on Sunday, December 27.
Recording Resources
Here you'll find the materials you'll need to make your recording.
There are several different audio sources for your reference, to have an understanding of and a feel for the performance. Listen to the tracks several times to be extremely familiar with the work, including the nuances in tempo!
It is absolutely imperative that you use the file named "Piano & Voice Click Track" to do your actual recording - ensure that you're performing accurately with the metronome included in the audio.
There are several different audio sources for your reference, to have an understanding of and a feel for the performance. Listen to the tracks several times to be extremely familiar with the work, including the nuances in tempo!
It is absolutely imperative that you use the file named "Piano & Voice Click Track" to do your actual recording - ensure that you're performing accurately with the metronome included in the audio.
| Make Me a Channel - Score |
| Make Me a Channel - Piano & Voice Click Track |
| Make Me a Channel - Piano & Voice Click Track WITH DESCANT |
| Make Me a Channel - Piano & Voices, no click - REFERENCE ONLY, not for recording |
| Make Me a Channel - Piano + Click (no voices) - REFERENCE ONLY, not for recording |
| Make me a Channel - Piano Only - REFERENCE ONLY, not for recording |
Recording Information
Once you've downloaded the score and the audio, listen and read along SEVERAL times! After that, go through a few more. The goal is to be very, very comfortable with the flow of the music. Next, rehearse the music several times so that you have confidence you can sing through the entire piece in one continuous run-through. Practice this a couple times before you make your recording.
While you're recording, be sure that the click track is not audible to your microphone, but is only going through an earbud or other headphone.
If you choose to print out your score, be sure that your page turns are silent and we don't get any audible paper picked up by the microphone.
Don't worry about trimming the beginning or end of your video - it's okay if there's a few seconds before and after (actually, it's preferable!) - that will all get edited out in the end, but that extra space makes it easier to do the editing.
Some recording tips:
This information comes from Erik Kosman, an expert on using live audio and amplification:
While you're recording, be sure that the click track is not audible to your microphone, but is only going through an earbud or other headphone.
If you choose to print out your score, be sure that your page turns are silent and we don't get any audible paper picked up by the microphone.
Don't worry about trimming the beginning or end of your video - it's okay if there's a few seconds before and after (actually, it's preferable!) - that will all get edited out in the end, but that extra space makes it easier to do the editing.
Some recording tips:
- Videos should be recorded with as little (or zero) background noise and, as possible, with a high-quality microphone. Any videos that have an excess of white noise may have their volume reduced or muted for clarity of the overall piece. The click track absolutely should not be audible.
- If your cell phone is reasonably new (within the last 3-4 years), your built-in camera and microphone are going to give you a GREAT recording. Embrace this! If you happen to already own a good microphone, please feel free to use that, but it isn't essential.
- You should record your video in an acoustically "dead" space: as little echo/reverb as possible. This will help with dialing in the timing when putting the video together.
- Videos should be recorded in "PORTRAIT" orientation (up-and-down) to allow for consistency in layout in the final product. The video should be recorded in one, continuous, unedited take, for the entire duration of the click track. If you do cut your video, please be sure there are 3 or 4 seconds of time before and after you sing to ensure plenty of material in the video editing process.
- Your video needs to be in a standard video format: M4V, MP4, or MOV. Non-standard formats (WMV, WebM, etc.) will not be usable.
- When you record, you should use headphones or earbuds. Keep one ear open to be able to listen to your performance while the other ear is able to listen to the pitch references in the recording.
- Turn off any fans in the room (including ceiling fans) and do not have any lamps or overhead lights in view of the camera. If your heat or air conditioning are running, try to keep your microphone away from the air vents.
This information comes from Erik Kosman, an expert on using live audio and amplification:
- Tip for folks having private lessons/video assignments, if you're using a phone/tablet/something without gain (not volume) control, prioritize the placement of the device for SOUND not VIDEO.
- A higher angle is probably the best of both worlds. If you can get the device up high, you'll be able to see the performer in the shot, but the instrument will be off axis.
Submission Process & Information
If you've recorded your performance on your cell phone, transfer for your final, chosen recording from your phone over to a computer.
On the computer, edit the file name of your recording to be:
YOUR NAME - VOICE PART
Keep the same file extension (the three letters after the period - .mov or .mp4 or .m4v)
The "voice part" should be whichever part you traditionally sing in a traditional SATB chorus. While the parts are unison, this will help with balancing similar voices in the audio editing process.
Once you are happy with your recording, use this button to head to the submission form to give your information and to upload the video. You'll need a Google account (different from gmail) if you don't already have one - it's free and the website will walk you through the very quick and easy process of establishing the account!
On the computer, edit the file name of your recording to be:
YOUR NAME - VOICE PART
Keep the same file extension (the three letters after the period - .mov or .mp4 or .m4v)
The "voice part" should be whichever part you traditionally sing in a traditional SATB chorus. While the parts are unison, this will help with balancing similar voices in the audio editing process.
Once you are happy with your recording, use this button to head to the submission form to give your information and to upload the video. You'll need a Google account (different from gmail) if you don't already have one - it's free and the website will walk you through the very quick and easy process of establishing the account!
Remember, submissions are due by the end of the day on Sunday, December 27, 2020!