Tips for a successful video recording
- Record your video in the spirit of a live audition or recital performance. Consider recording in a home, school, church, synagogue, recital hall, rehearsal room, or voice studio with good natural acoustics. You should dress professionally, as you would for a recital or live audition. Formal concert attire is encouraged, though not required. Avoid rooms where clutter will appear in your background.
- Your camera should be at eye level. This is one of the most important tips to make your recording successful. If your cell phone is propped up on a desk, it’s too low. Consider placing your phone on top of a shelf, dresser drawer, stand, or other piece of furniture that’s close to eye level. If you’re using a desk or table, place books or boxes underneath your phone until the camera is at the same height as your eyes. Do not ask someone to hold your phone during the recording; your phone should be in a fixed position.
- Record your video horizontally, not vertically. This is the best angle for recording and watching videos.
- Ensure you have good lighting by facing a window or light. A window will light your face evenly. If you can’t face a window in your recording location, use lamps or overhead lights placed next to or above your phone. Make sure you’re facing the light and that your face is clearly visible throughout your recording.
- Your safety is our top priority. Although we would prefer to receive video submissions without masks to allow judges to see your facial expressions, please only do so if your school, public safety, or personal situation allows you to do so.
- Example scenarios for recording:
- Good: You’re recording in a quiet, closed room at home. A room with rugs and/or carpets is best, as it will help dampen any echoes. You’re recording with your phone, standing roughly 5 feet away, with an external speaker playing the pre-recorded track.
- Better: You’re recording in a church, university, or similar venue with a pre-recorded track or live accompaniment. You’re recording with your phone and an external microphone.
- Best: You’re recording in an acoustic studio, practice room, concert hall, or similar venue with a pre-recorded track or live accompaniment.
NOTE: You will not be judged on location or recording set-up. These are only guidelines to help you create a successful recording.
- Memorization: All repertoire must be performed from memory for your audition.
- Previously-recorded live performances: If you have a suitable live recorded performance from the previous 12 months, you may submit that video file, as long as it meets the repertoire requirements.
Using an Accompanist vs. Pre-Recorded Track
- Accompanist: You may sing with a live accompanist or pre-recorded track for your video submission. We encourage students to work with their own accompanists if your recording environment is safe and enables social distancing. The George Shirley Vocal Competition can connect you with an approved accompanist, should you need one. Please email us at admin@georgeshirleycompetition.org to request a pre-recorded track.
- Pre-recorded track: If you use a pre-recorded track, we recommend playing it from a different device than your recording device. For example, if you are recording your performance on your cell phone, we recommend playing the pre-recorded track on a separate external speaker, device, or computer.
Additional tips
- Framing your camera: Face the camera during your recording. We recommend recording a “wide shot” of your performance – from roughly your knees and up. You only need to stand about 5 feet away from a cell phone camera in order to capture a “wide shot.” Ensure you are not too far away from the camera, as the judges want to see your face and body language during your performance.
- Record a short test before doing your full performance. Record your performance, then stop and replay the video. How does it look? How does it sound? Consider asking a family member or live accompanist to review, too, for a different perspective. Use this opportunity to make adjustments if there are issues with your video or audio. When reviewing the test recording, consider your background, lighting, recording location, height of the camera, and your distance from the camera.
How to submit your video recording
Please follow these instructions carefully:
- Name your performance video files as “YOUR NAME_TITLE_COMPOSER” (ex: Louise Toppin_Hold Fast to Dreams_Florence Price.mp4)
- Go to georgeshirleycompetition.wetransfer.com
- Click “Add Your Files” to upload the video. You can upload multiple videos at once, or one at a time.
- Under “Your email,” add your email address. Please use the same email address as used in your application submission.
- Under “Message” you must include the following information:
- Title
- Composer
- Which song type requirement the piece is intended for
- Click “Transfer.”
NOTE: If you do not have a WeTransfer account, you will be asked to verify your email address. Please be sure to check your spam box.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at admin@georgeshirleycompetition.org.