Instructions for the Virtual Choir

“Lift Every Voice”

Deadline to submit: January 26th at 6pm ET

Three Easy Steps:

(1) Listen to the guide track appropriate to your voice and skill level (click here to download)

(2) Record yourself singing to the guide track

(3) Upload your video here (deadline: Wednesday, January 26th at 6pm ET)

Please send by Wednesday, January 26th at 6pm ET …since we’re going to need some time to edit the final video!

Preparation

Here’s what you need before you begin is:

1. Choose the guide track appropriate to your voice and skill level. If in doubt, just sing the melody track called “Melody (Soprano).” See the lyrics below, or download the sheet music to see parts!

Please note that the first verse is done by our soloist only!

2. A smartphone, computer, or a tablet with headphones to play the guide track for you to sing along with.

3. A second device (smartphone, computer, or tablet) without headphones to record yourself singing to the music. You can send audio only (voice note) … but it’s even better if you can record video with sound. 

> Important: Please do not plug in headphones/microphone in the device that is recording you. only use headphones for the device that is playing the accompaniment/guide track)

4. If you record video (preferable!), please be sure to do the following:

> Lighting – avoid harsh lighting that creates dark shadows that may cross your face or body.

> Clean Camera lens – recording with an iPhone or other device is perfectly fine, just make sure your camera lens is clean and the camera is using the highest setting for recording (HD or 4K). If you’re unsure, just reach out and I can probably help you with your settings.

> Position your camera – your camera should be positioned so that you are centered and at eye level.

Like this 

Not this

> Express when you sing! A good rule of thumb is, whatever emotion you want to communicate in the song, even if you feel like you are being extra …throw a little bit more on for the camera. That’s just how things translate for cameras… LOL. Feel it, emote, be passionate! I listened to your live recording so I’m sure you got this one down.

> Remember: Your video does not have to be “perfect” — please do your best singing well on time and ending each word/syllable along with the recorded voice.

Lyrics

[verse 1 will be sung by the soloist, so we will begin at the first chorus]

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on ’til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed.
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
’Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand (hold),
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land (hold),
our native land (hold)

Please upload your video here: 

https://www.dropbox.com/request/PKvpMfuGvOK1s45kDmxa

If you have trouble uploading, please send your file to online@unionboston.org (or email us with questions!)

Please send by Wednesday January 26th …since we’re going to need some time to edit the final video!