Well, here we are, choir directors without choirs; musicians without rehearsals; choral technicians without clinics. What strange and unprecedented times. How are you coping? Your singers? As is often famously spoken, “the show must go on!” But how? How can we go on making music together while in isolation? I’m sure you have seen virtual choirs before, but have you ever assembled one? Don’t know how? I directed my first virtual choir last week and 26 of my singers opted to accept the challenge to participate. You can hear/view the final result here: https://youtu.be/2NZkgU9DCyw
In an attempt to simply the process of creating a virtual choir, we have written down this concise process for your convenience. Please feel free to share:
- DIGITAL: First, the director must provide the ensemble with digital score and tracks.
- Digital Score
- Sample Performance Track
- Rehearsal Track
- Accompaniment Track
This can often be done using email provided the files are not too large. For larger files, use DropBox or Google Drive or other cloud-based platform. Incidentally, nearly every www.easychoirmusic.com piece is available with these digital components, easily purchased and immediately downloaded.
2. RECORD: Each member of your ensemble records their vocal part using a cell phone or tablet in “landscape” orientation. It is helpful if the singer uses headphones or earbuds, singing their part with the sample performance track or part rehearsal track in their ear as they record.
3. SEND: Each video/audio recording is sent by the singer to the director/IT expert using cloud-based platform such as Dropbox or Google Drive. These files will be large, so do not attempt to send via email.
4. VIDEO: Edit videos to a single screen montage using your favorite video editing software such as Movavi, Windows Movie Maker or one of these top tools: https://www.creativebloq.com/features/best-video-editing-software-for-designers. The video editing of my virtual choir was beyond my ability, so I enlisted an expert.
5. AUDIO: Audio needs to be extracted from each video using software such as VLC. Here are some of the most-used extractors: https://www.joyoshare.com/reviews/best-audio-extractor-software.html
6. IMPORT: The raw audio is then imported into editing software such as Pro Tools, Audacity, Garage Band, Logic Pro or other. Here are some of the top audio editing tools: https://www.g2.com/categories/audio-editing. If you have never edited audio files before, you may need to enlist an assistant for this, as the learning curve can be quite steep at the beginning of this part of the process.
7. MIX: Add final mixed audio file to video montage. Be sure the starting point is synced to avoid latency issues.
8. EXPORT: Export your completed project to your desktop/other and post to our favorite social media such as YouTube or Facebook!
If we can answer your questions, or be of further assistance to you during these difficult days, please feel free to call on us at easychoirmusic@gmail.com
Sincerely,
John & Jay Parker
Interested in having us help produce your virtual choir? With our new "Virtual Choir Service", just have your singers record a quick video on their phone and leave the rest up to us! For more info, click here or contact us today!
Want to read more about the benefits of producing a virtual choir? Check out our article "Why Should I Create A Virtual Choir?" by clicking here.
Need help in setting up virtual experience for a church choir.