Although the CDC guidelines for mask-wearing and in-person gatherings are changing rapidly, many choirs still find themselves navigating between the in-person and online worlds. Some ensembles have been excited to find an audience beyond their local community because of virtual choirs and live-streaming performance opportunities. Other choirs are excited to recruit new singers via online platforms or take rehearsals online when inclement weather or other events make it necessary to do so.
However, if we're really honest about it, figuring out how to do virtual rehearsals and performances has required a steep technology learning curve for many people. While online tech companies have worked hard to keep up with the demand for user-friendly virtual tools, the average user doesn't always find it easy to adapt to them for personal use or choir rehearsals.
Suppose your choir is planning to continue using technology for the foreseeable future. In that case, you may be looking for tech tools and tips to enhance the virtual experience for choir members and your audience. We've taken some time to compile a list of various tools that you might want to try to keep your virtual rehearsals and performances rolling into 2022.
If you're looking for opportunities to Livestream your rehearsals or performances, these online platforms are popular:
Suppose your choir is planning to continue to do virtual choir performances or include mixed audio and video recordings as part of your audience offerings. In that case, these highly-rated tools will come in handy.
Free Video Editing Tools
When you want to add a visual element to your audio recordings, these tools can help you create a synced performance.
The larger your mixing and editing project, the more difficult it is for your computer to process everything. Using a small personal computer to edit all of your videos may not be the most practical option since video and audio mixing require a lot of power and RAM (computer memory) to get the job done.
If these tech tools and resources are overwhelming, hiring someone to help is ok! It's no secret that audio and video editing to create a quality product can require hundreds of hours and a lot of expertise. Suppose your choir is all about making recordings and creating a fun digital performance, but the editing side is too much to handle. In that case, professional video and sound editors could be an excellent investment (and a huge time-saver) for your choir.
I want to take a moment to give great credit to Kathleen Hansen (San Diego Chorus of SAI & San Diego Women's Chorus) for compiling a comprehensive list of virtual choir resources. You can find her complete document here.
While the virtual space is ideal for providing entertainment and connecting with audiences worldwide, there is one crucial thing that all choirs must do before posting any performances of their choral works: get permission to perform, live stream, and post replays of performances.
Of course, any works in the public domain may be performed and posted without issue. How do you know if it's public domain? According to the Cornell University Library:
Just like you want to get paid for the work you do at your job, artists want to get paid for their creative work! Copyright is in place so that artists can earn recognition (and royalties) for their work to make this world a better place. If you plan to perform pieces that are still protected under copyright, there are several steps to take to ensure that you can publicly perform your songs, even if that's on a live stream.
Like YouTube, some of the larger streaming platforms have negotiated to have copyrighted music streamed on their platform, but the list of approved music and permissions is constantly in flux. You can find helpful information on this topic on the GALA Choruses' Streaming Choral Concerts page.
Barbershop Harmony Society also has a helpful three-step guide for determining how to get permissions to live stream performances.
Step 1: Determine the Copyright Holders on Your Songs
Step 2: Select Your Live Stream Platform
Step 3: Secure a Synchronization License for Each Song You Plan to Perform
You can find the Barbershop Harmony Society's 3-Step Copyright Checklist for live streaming here.
Especially if you plan to program new music by up-and-coming or current composers, copyright is a critical piece of the pie. Composer Abbie Betinis has a great Conductor's Flow Chart for New Music Programming to help choral leaders determine the steps for copyright and licensing of new music for performances.
For some choirs, checking with performing rights organizations such as ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), or SoundExchange can be helpful. These organizations find and compensate artists entitled to payment for their performed works.
Another option that may benefit your choir is working with a record label like Naxos. A record label can help independent groups and artists produce and distribute their music and manage rights payments more efficiently and effectively.
Many Choral Directors have been overwhelmed as they have had to step into more roles during the pandemic. For example, they may be acting as director, technology guru, new member recruiter, and video performance coordinator. If you are a director of a chorus, the most important thing you can do, no matter the size of your organization, is delegate and ask for help. Be honest with your choir about your technology needs or any other assistance you might require. It has never been more apparent than during this pandemic that sharing the load with your choir members is the best way to encourage participation, allow people with special skills to shine, and ensure that no one person is overloaded. Don't be afraid to ask for help!
Finally, it's essential to manage expectations and set realistic goals for your choir performances. There is no shame in saying "no" to a virtual choir or live-streamed performance if it's just not feasible for where you are at this moment in time. It's more important to create a sense of camaraderie, sing great music from your living room, and, when the time is right, perform together in person again like we used to. Don't give up. We've come this far, and we can keep going!
What are your organiation's preferred tech tools for Livestreaming performances in 2022? Let us know in the comments!
"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." – Jimmy Dean