Thank you for your interest in the Apache College Virtual Choir! Below are some instructions for participating in our song, the Star-Spangled Banner in Apache! This is one of our more challenging callouts for participation in our Virtual Commencement, so please read through the directions carefully before submitting your recording for consideration in the virtual choir. (What’s a virtual choir? Check out this example video and our own proof-of-concept video.)
- Practice singing with the video above, which contains the music and lyrics. Subtitles are burned into the top and bottom of the frame for ease of use. When it’s time to record, read from the line closest to the camera.
- Know how to harmonize? Check out the additional alto / tenor / bass parts. We definitely need more people who can contribute these vocal parts!
- Do a test recording along with the music track and listen to your recording to make sure your headphones and microphone are working properly.
- Dress in a traditional outfit or something else special for the video!
- Find a quiet space and set up your video. Turn off fans and minimize other sources of noise. You must wear headphones or earbuds so that only you hear the original music track. We only want to record your singing in the video.
- Make sure your face is well lit in the video. Don’t record with windows or bright lights behind you, otherwise we’ll only see your silhouette!
- Whether you’re using your laptop, smartphone, or camcorder, find a way to keep your recording device stationary and stable so that the video won’t be shaky while recording. Please do not handhold the device during recording.
- Record as many takes as you need until you get great results! Quality matters!
- Include your full name in the filename of the video file.
- Upload your best video for consideration for use in our Virtual Choir at Commencement! (Note: By submitting content, you grant us permission to edit and use your content without compensation, for the purpose of official commencement activities and marketing.) Click this link to start the upload process.
https://www.dropbox.com/request/ujF9GFq1Z4W1VLcuovhA
Have questions or trouble with any of this? Contact Kenneth at tech@apachecollege.org or 928-864-9328 (call / text ok).
Ahíyi’e! Thank you for your help with this important part of Virtual Commencement! To contribute in other ways, visit the Commencement page.