Recording Instructions, Parts, and Deadlines

The time has finally come to officially start recording this song! You now have all of the tools you need to successfully complete your recording and get it in to me. We are going to do things a little differently this time, so pay attention to this. Instead of just sending me one recording before the deadline, you will be sending me three recordings in all. The first recording is due March 10th and will be a run through; meaning I want you to practice and sing the best you can so that we can make sure that you are not having any major problems and that everything is going smoothing this will ensure no last minute surprises. This recording is meant for me to get a feel for how you are working on the song and also for me to get the correct volume and technical settings. Once this preliminary recording is approved, you will then make the necessary changes and send me two different recordings of your part for me to mix with the group. Those recordings are due March 24th. Hopefully, doing it this way will ensure that I won’t have to ask you to redo anything last minute, and if anyone is having issues we can catch it early on.

Download for your parts:
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=54a142140f36579661d4646c62b381cb4448d4b98117934238538f5672f1b9df

*The Chyree Full version is how all of the parts sound together

Vocal Parts for the Song:

Sop1: Chyree, Ania, Marica, Chelsea
Sop2: Beth, Jess, Mikael, Laura
Alto: Annie, Mary, Samy, Kerstin, Sadie

Some Notes to Record…

Keep the overall feel of the song in mind, this song has a relaxing ocean feel, so think of the imagery that we are evoking when singing (calm waters, gentle waves, ocean sunrises, sailing into the sunset). We want our audience to be right there sailing with us. Keep that ethereal tone in your voice; I know this is a strong suit for some of you and a challenge for others. I want you to work on evoking a feeling of warm serenity with your voice. We do not want heavy classical like the previous songs. Think soft vibrato and clear tone. A good example of this would be the beginning, bridge, and end sections using the word ‘sailing.’ You want subtle decrescendos that give the feeling of waves sailing to shore. You want a clear tone with just a little vibrato at the end.

Chyree has done a fabulous job to adding all of the dynamics in to her example recordings. What I would like for you all to do is listen to your part and take note of the dynamics; write them into you sheet music to ensure they are in the correct place when you record. Pay attention to her phrasing and breathing too, follow that as well.
For this song, I cannot stress the importance of blend enough. This is a song where we really want to sound like one soothing voice. Parts that do not fit this will not be included; I know you can all do it. Practice, practice, practice the blend! Vibrato control is going to be very important on this song, so if that is an issue for you this will be a challenge. Try not to go too breathy on this song either. I know it is tempting to do that sometimes when you are trying to exert loads of control over your voice, but I still need to hear you sing. Breath control is key when you are working for a clear tone; don’t let those straight notes fizzle at the end.

Audio Instructions (Please Listen to these! I can see how many times they were downloaded, so I expect everyone to give them a listen)

My Instructions:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0o5ppo

Chyree’s Instructions:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wddz4yyzgim

Also, I noticed that a few of you have not downloaded the sheet music yet (please do so)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/v3x69j

If there is anything that you do not understand in either of the audio instructions or the notes, please ask now. Chyree and I are here to help with anything that you don’t understand or are having trouble with. If you are ill and cannot start recording right away, you need to let me know immediately. Even if you are sick, you can still start learning your part and working through the notes on it. Do not wait until the last minute to do this. If for any reason you cannot get your parts in on time, you need to let me know before the deadline. I know things happen, but I cannot read your minds so I will assume you are not going to participate if I do not hear from you.

Soloists, make sure to send these for approval too. Also, if you choose to send your solo separately from your part please make sure the file is at least one minute long (add static at the end if needed) because my mixing program does strange things to short files. So, make sure they are long enough. Remember, I want raw files, no effects of any kind please. I will add effects in the mixing process as needed.

Don’t forget, we have a violinist for this song! I can’t remember if I told you all or not. Vera (FreeMusicify) will be playing violin for this song. I am super excited to have two talented instrumentalists working with us on this song. I know this will be our best song yet if we all put our best into it. I know what you are all capable of, so let’s show the world what we can do together! I will never have as much time as I have no for a song, so I want to make this the best it can be.

I can’t wait to hear you all,

Beth

I like to add some things for Vera.

Since Chyree has recorded an example for the singers, I made a reference file for the violinist (actually I always do that when working with other instrumentalists).

Violin reference from 2:12 - 2:26:
http://www.mediafire.com/?zgx0y3ymmqf

I am not a violin player, but as far as I can judge this, it's going to be a handful (due to its speed), even if it is only < 14 seconds. If necessary I can record a half speed track for the violin part, she can then record the violin and digitally double its speed, but that's up to her.

First of all, thanks Beth and Chyree for all the detailed explanations on how you want us to sing this song.

Just a tiny question, though: I've been reading the sheet music along to Chyree's recording, and I noticed that when the lyrics at M48 say "we'll kiss just like before" Chyree sings "we'll kiss just as before". I guess we'll follow Chyree's lead, right? Just want to make sure we're all singing the same word there.

I noticed that too..

Also, since we haven't got long to record these parts, I was wondering, are you wanting us to spend ages on this like we would a final recording, or is it simply for you to see how we're coping? I've learned my part so it's not really a problem for me either way, I just don't want to spend hours and hours recording it if that's not what you need just yet! ^.^

The first draft is just that a first draft. I want you to know your part but to sing it through with as much care as you can for a first draft. This is not meant to be used as your final part, so no do not spend hours recording over and over again. I just want you to learn the part and sing it so Chyree and I know where you are and if there are any major issues. I know that if we had time to do it this way in the past we would not have as many major issues toward the end.

Go with the sheets, sorry about that ladies.

Hmm, wish I had seen the above convo before recording... I think I sang "as" like Chyree...
Well that's one thing to fix already I guess.

First Drafts:

song:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ei1zc

solo:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/lx6n4c

I did wind up putting them on separate tracks because the parts overlap.


My daughter has a bad cough/cold... I'm hoping I don't catch it.
.::sneezes::.
Darnit! Well at least I can still sing - for now...
O_o

I'm downloading your part, Jess
Yeah, my mom and dad got some terrible flu or something... I have to be really carefull too... :/

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ki7b98 My second take of my part. With a bit of reverb added, I didn't send it with reverb XD

LittlexPixi wrote:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ki7b98 My second take of my part. With a bit of reverb added, I didn't send it with reverb XD

Wow, it's beautiful, Sadie. Clear and angelic