Contest Prep and announcements from 1/16/24

1. Recording policy for our contest package:

With the new year comes higher-level work on our contest package songs so we can bring our best performance to the stage in May.

As discussed during our zoom session last week, I and your music staff will work with you to bring you to your highest level of musical and expressive performance. 

It is important to record the contest music while singing with the chorus "live" In order to help you develop the skills for a synchronic (unified)

performance.

Here are the recording deadline dates below:

First Recordings 

Ballad - 1/30

Uptune - 2/20

Second Recordings for both songs

4/9

When you record yourself, listen to yourself.

Here are some prompts:

•  Do I have the correct notes and words?
•  Do I have a clear, well-supported sound?
•  Am I stylizing any words, or "scooping " up to them?
•  Is there vibrato in my sound?
•  Am I following the breath plan, and not breathing between words?
•  Is my timing in sync with the rest of the chorus?

Let your tape checker know if you hear any of these things. It helps them to know your level of awareness.

Please don't wait until the last minute to get your recordings in.

 2. Performing Regular Repertoire Music in gigs/shows

In order to be "performance ready" on a regular repertoire song, submit a recording to your tape checker.   You can record these songs during rehearsal, or ask a small group to do it after rehearsal, or do it at home against the tracks. (unlike contest, where it must be live with the chorus).

If you haven't passed a song, do not sing it.  But if you are able to mouth the words and emote, you can stay in your spot (Discuss this with your tape checker). 

3. Upcoming gigs

All of our upcoming gigs are on the website calendar

Make sure you sign up so we have an accurate count of performers/parts covered.

Below is our current calendar:

January 27 - Soundbites Show- 6:45

January 30 - Deadline for 1st recording of Ballad

February 10 - 11 - Vickie Maybury: 

              9:00am - early evening on Saturday

              9:00 - 12:00 on Sunday

February 16 - Waltham Sr. Center- 12:45 

February 17 - Winter “Whatchamacallit”, Wesborough, 9:00am

March 6 - Arlington Women’s Catholic club- 7:00 - 8:00pm

February 20 - Deadline for 1st recording of Uptune

(March) Coaching with Gina- TTBD April 13 - Di Porsch 9:00am - 4:00pm May 9-12 - Regional Competition

April 9 - Deadline for second recording of both contest songs