Why do we tape?

or

Vocal Qualifications Guidelines

Why do we have to qualify on the songs?

The chorus’ Qualification Program may seem to be quite picky when you’re first getting started. “So what’s a wrong note here or there?” The chorus strives to be the best we can be – and that starts with singing well. Since the “Taping Program” was first introduced YEARS ago, the quality of our music has greatly improved. As much fun as it is to sing, it’s even better when we are singing WELL!

We have set up the Qualification Program to encourage SUCCESS, not find fault.

It is not a form of torture or a test of your nerves.

It is a tool to help you, your Section Leader, and the Director recognize improvement and personal growth as well as find places that may need to be addressed as a section, chorus OR possibly even be re-voiced in the arrangement.

The most important thing to remember is to RECORD EARLY and RECORD OFTEN!

Do not wait for that perfect recording – you may be ingraining some wrong notes that will be very difficult to “un-learn” later: The sooner you hand in a recording for evaluation, the sooner you can relax and enjoy singing the song!

We love it when everyone qualifies on every song – there is nothing harder for a Section Leader than having to tell someone she cannot sing at a performance or at contest. Remember, we all understand the challenges of part taping – we ALL have to do it!

So, what are the Rules?

• All chorus repertoire songs have to be evaluated and qualified before you can perform them in public, unless otherwise announced by the Director. “Qualified” means that all notes and words are correct, and that your Section Leader has signed and dated the evaluation form.
• All taping, including corrections, must be done during a rehearsal. Exceptions will be made to allow you to tape in a quartet or small group when catching up.
• You cannot use music while taping for evaluation.

The Director for major events, such as the show, contest, or a performance, establishes taping deadlines. “Last day for taping” means that tapes must be submitted for final evaluation immediately following that date. This allows the Director to know ahead of time exactly WHO will be on the risers for the performance. Taping deadlines are firm – no taping is permitted (except for your own use) after that date. However, songs that will remain in our repertoire are sometimes put on another taping schedule for future performances.

• For contest, all songs must be qualified to be able to perform on stage. For shows and performances that are usually divided into Sets or Acts, if you find that you may not be able to qualify on all the songs, you can concentrate on all the songs in a particular set, and then perform them on stage if you have qualified them.

Hints for Part Taping

• Check your recorder batteries often!
• Hold the microphone close enough to your mouth so that your voice is easily heard (we do not need to hear your neighbor’s notes!), and we hear the chorus in the background.
• If you are using a tape recorder – use only 30 or 60-minute tapes – longer tapes stretch easily.

When getting ready to tape on the risers, be sure to advance the tape just a bit if you are using a new tape – this way, you will be sure to tape the ENTIRE song, and not miss the first few measures!

OK. You have Made Your First Tape.

In addition, you probably hate how you sound, right? We all did at first – and some of us still do! However, remember what you hear in your head is not necessarily, what we hear outside – that is why you will sometimes hear the Director talk about “trusting yourself to DO what’s right, not what sounds right inside your head!”

• Listen to all the versions of the song you recorded, and submit your BEST version of the song – please don’t submit multiple versions of the same song – your Tape Evaluator or Section Leader won’t be able to listen to all of them. You can include multiple songs on one recording.

• Complete one evaluation form for each song you are submitting – listen to your recording and write down any note and/or word problems you may hear. Even if you have made some mistakes, go ahead and submit the tape anyway – you can always make corrections later. In addition, do not be overly critical of yourself – we do not expect perfection!

• If you made a mistake or two on your best version, but sang that part correctly on another version, you can dub the correction at the end of the song – include at least two phrases before and after the correction, not just the correction itself. Be sure to note on the form that you have included the correction at the end of the tape so that your evaluator can listen for it.

• If using a tape – rewind your tape to the beginning or cue it up to the start of the song. Then submit the tape (labeled with your name) and the evaluation form in a closed bag – plastic freezer bags or large envelopes work well.

• If submitting a CD, make sure that the tracks are notated on a sheet of paper or written on the CD itself so that it can be cued easily.

• If submitting a digital copy via email you can also submit your evaluation via email

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

• If you submit a tape on Tuesday, you will get it back the following Tuesday. You can also drop a tape off at your Tape Evaluator or Section Leader’s home during the week or mail it.

• If you have qualified the song, she will sign and date the evaluation form, and then initial the Taping Chart on the rehearsal hall wall. If she forgets to do this, please remind her!!

• If you have corrections to make, she will confirm the problem area(s), and then ask you to re-tape either the entire song, or just the page containing the correction.

• After re-taping to fix problem areas, re-evaluate the tape, and then submit it with another evaluation form (she will have a copy of your previous one).

• If, after repeated attempts to pass a song, you still have a problem note, you MAY be permitted to not sing that particular phrase. It may mean taking a breath at that spot, or just mouthing the words.
  • This is an exception to the “100% notes and words” taping rule, and only applies when agreed upon by the Director. You must then submit another tape, leaving that phrase out. Moreover, you will not be permitted to sing that phrase in performances unless you submit another tape for evaluation and pass it.

GOOD LUCK! Please do not hesitate to ask questions if something is not clear, or if you are having a problem!

Your Music Team is here to make sure your chorus experience is fun and enjoyable!