Buffalo Valley Conference Advent Virtual Choir

This Advent and Christmas, all congregations of the Buffalo Valley Conference are invited to contribute to a virtual choir recording of “Joy to the World.” We are using ELW #267 for this recording.

Steps for recording:

  1. Get the sheet music here or get an ELW and open to #267.
  2. Download or stream accompaniment below.
    If needed, also download the rehearsal track for your part.
    1. Recording Track (Video) OR Recording Track (audio-only)
      Use this when you record your video. This has the organ accompaniment with soprano and tenor voices to hopefully make it easier to record your part. This has instructions included, which are also #6 below.
    2. Rehearsal tracks (mp3 audio only)
      These are only one verse long so you can hear your part. Soprano is not included sense that is the main vocal on the recording track.
      1. Alto
      2. Tenor
      3. Bass
  3. Have headphones or earbuds available for doing the recording. – this is really important.
  4. Dress appropriately for Advent or Christmas (silly sweaters are welcome).
  5. Find somewhere quiet – especially important is to not have TV or radio noise.
  6. Find a way to play the accompaniment through your headphones/earbuds while you are also recording. Some examples, have your partner record on their phone while you listen on yours or use a computer that can play the audio and record your video at the same time.
  7. Listen to the Recording Track in headphones while singing your part.
    1. Be sure that the playback of the accompaniment is going through the earbuds/headphones.
    2. At the beginning of your recording, please say your name, part, and congregation aloud.
    3. Count off aloud with Gaye (the organist). Also clap with her. This helps line up the recordings.
    4. Notes on the arrangement
      1. The first verse is all voices in unison (tutti)
      2. The second verse is only higher voices. Altos, please switch to the harmony if you can.
      3. The third verse is lower voices only. Tenor, please sing the melody in your range. On the recording track, you’ll hear Craig Miller singing this part. Basses please sing harmony.
      4. The fourth verse in all verses in harmony.
      5. For all verses – if you can’t catch the harmony singing alone, feel free to sing the melody in your range. Hopefully we have enough people singing harmony that it can balance out.
  8. Please Name the recording JoyToTheWorld.MyPart.LastName.FirstName.
  9. Submit the file with your recording to Dropbox.

Deadline – 9 am Saturday, December 12, 2020

Reformation Virtual Choir

Reformation Virtual Choir

It’s been a while since we did a virtual choir. As singing in groups is probably a long way off, we thought we do another virtual choir for Reformation Sunday, October 25. This time we’ll sing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” Hymn #504 in the ELW.

Steps for recording:

  1. Download the music and accompaniment below.
    If needed, also download the rehearsal track for your part.
    1. Full Accompaniment (audio) OR Full Accompaniment (video)
      Use this when you record your audio. This has a brief intro.
    2. Music
    3. Rehearsal tracks. These are only one verse long so you can hear your part.
      1. Soprano
      2. Alto
      3. Tenor
      4. Bass
  2. Have headphones or earbuds available for doing the recording. – this is really important.
  3. Maybe wear red or other colors that are like flame, for the Holy Spirit.
  4. Find somewhere quiet, especially important is to not have TV or radio noise.
  5. Find a way to play the accompaniment through your headphones/earbuds while you are also recording. Some examples, have your partner record on their phone while you listen on yours or use a computer that can play the audio and record your video at the same time.
  6. Record yourself singing all verses while listening to the full accompaniment recording. This ensures that you are singing in the same tempo as the accompaniment, and as everyone else is singing.
    1. Say aloud “3, 4” when you hear “1,2,3,4” on the accompaniment recording.
    2. Be sure that the playback of the accompaniment is going through the earbuds/headphones.
    3. If you and a family member often sing together, please record separately if you can to make the final audio mix easier to do.
  7. Please Name the recording AMightyFortress.Soprano.Jane.Doe, replacing Jane.Doe with your name and Soprano with your part.
  8. Submit the file with your recording: http://bit.ly/MELCWorshipDropbox

Deadline – 9 am Saturday, October 17, 2020