Dear Singers,

It is all arranged with Kate’s daughter Phoebe to help us produce a ‘virtual’ recording of Keep You In Peace. It would be great to get as many voices as we can, so whether or not you’ve been Zooming with us, you all know the song and are most welcome to join in:  I promise you it is not as difficult as you think….(stop going ‘Hm, don’t believe you…’ and give it a go!)

It works like this - everyone records themselves singing (audio, not video) then we put a video over the top from one of our Zoom sessions. You don't have to be in the Zoom session to send in a recording!

Here are the instructions to make your recording:

• You will need headphones and a device on which to play your part’s track to listen to, practise with and eventually sing along with when you are ready to make your recording.

​

• Something on which to record you singing your part – most people will be able to use their phone. If yours is old-fashioned like mine, then you will need a recording app on your tablet/ipad/computer which you might already have. If not, try Dolby On -  which is supposed to be good sound or Hi-Qmp3 recorder which is okay, and easy to use, though maybe not such good quality sound. Sarah has one called Voice Recorder from Splend Apps that she says is easy to use. Please note: your recording has to be on a separate device so you don’t pick up the rehearsal track – hence the headphones.

​

• Practise singing with your rehearsal track (see audio tracks above ) and Sops and Altos don’t forget to check your starting note before you start playing the rehearsal track. There is a count in of 4 bars before you join in.  T and B, you will hear the other parts quietly, so will be able to join in when SA have sung the first chorus.

​

• When you feel ready, do a trial recording – press record first and then start listening to your track and singing along. It will all get trimmed up by Phoebe. You might need to try out different distances from the recorder: not right in front of your mouth. Also, try not to make extra sounds that will be picked up – no flapping music or coughs etc please!

​

• Please get your recording done (MP3 file) and sent to me by midday on Friday 27^th November. I will get them to Phoebe who can then work her magic and then the plan is that the following Thursday, I will play the finished track on Zoom while you sing along (muted as usual) and Kate and Phoebe will kindly do a video of us all singing! There’s no obligation to do the video bit – but I hope the regular zoomers won’t be shy! Then it gets put together with the audio as a complete package that we can then share with our friends and family to show them we’re all still singing!   

YOU WILL PROBABLY BE HORRIFIED AT YOUR RECORDING!  Don’t fret – it will be fine!       

I hope I have been clear enough, but if you need more help with any of this, just say – I’ll do my best – maybe with a little help from my friends…. I know Kate has some tips about Dolby On if you need them.

Stella