5th December 2020

Hi all,

So, in case you hadn’t gathered, we’re aiming to record a Christmas video again this year, even though we can’t all be together yet. I know this might feel like a bit of effort and making recordings can feel like a challenge, but we’d love as many people as possible to be involved so we can truly represent AS! Like gigs, it doesn’t really work to have just a handful of us taking part!

We will be singing Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade and I have added in some simple harmonies in a few places, just to liven things up.

How to Rehearse

There is a link here to be able to access the following:

• Lyrics
• Backing track
• Rehearsal mp3s for each part
• Videos of each part (not that there are actions, but some people may find it easier to learn from videos than audio recordings.) The same videos have been published on YouTube and the links are below, so you can access them that way if you’d prefer.

You can rehearse at home like you normally would, selecting your part and learning it that way and then selecting the ‘all’ part and sticking to your guns as you sing your part with the other parts in play. The parts are very simple and straight forward!

YouTube Videos:

All

Sop 1

Sop 2

Alto

Men

How to Record

When it comes to recording, you have two options:

• Video (and audio)
• Audio only

Let’s take ‘video (and audio)’ first…

Please record your video any time after FRIDAY 5TH DECEMBER (deadline for submission is 11th). This gives you a chance to have a few goes through and not peak too soon! 

• Video it using WhatsApp (WhatsApp uses a particular compression that keeps the files a sensible size!) If you don’t have it, it’s free to download, or ask someone else in your family/bubble to film it. 
• Please ensure (as per the incredibly clear FB video – not!) to record in landscape (that’s the phone laying down and not stood upright!)
• Put some headphones on and play the backing track from a different device to the one you’re using to video yourself. We’re trying to get just the voices captured and not the backing track 75 times being played through a speaker in the background!
• Dress up and enjoy it! Have some fun planning your outfit, even if it’s something ironic! We’re trying to bring some joy and make people smile!

Audio only…

From FRIDAY 5TH DECEMBER, please record your audio. This gives you a chance to have a few goes through and not peak too soon! 

• Record it using audio record, which you should have on your phone (assuming you have some sort of smart phone). Or, borrow someone else’s phone.
• Put some headphones on and play the backing track from a different device to the one you’re using to record yourself. We’re trying to get just the voices captured and not the backing track 75 times!
• Make sure you are between 1-2 feet away from the phone when you record and not the other side of the room!
• While you may have chosen not to be on video, you can still sound like you’re having fun!

Sending the Recording

Once it’s all recorded and you’re happy with it, please send it VIA WHATSAPP to 07540 939711 which we have dedicated for this use. Please don’t email them or send them in any other way! As you can imagine, a lot of recordings coming in to multiple platforms makes the job of editing way, way harder!

Please send it NO LATER THAN Friday 11th December. That gives you 8 days to practise and 6 to record it and send it. Any that come in after the deadline prob won’t be included, as we’re aiming to start the editing on the 12th to get it out by the following weekend.

Final Thoughts

This is meant to be FUN!!! So enjoy it! If you go wrong, don’t worry. If you can’t find your usual reindeer costume, worry not, just wear your alternative leopard print one instead!?!C (&N) x

PS Phew! Well done for getting to the end!