Dear Singers & Parents,

Well, by now you parents have probably heard that I'm going to miss the next five rehearsals, returning on February 23. We are extremely fortunate to have Ellen Shuler, choir director for the Bel Canto Boychoir and University School of Milwaukee (and mom of Philip & Ethan!) as our guest conductor. I know you singers will be super nice and learn a lot over the next 5 weeks. Ellen will share her contact information at rehearsal.

I'm in Texas, working on a big textbook project and other remote work for Hal Leonard. I'll also enjoy connecting with family and friends, checking in on my mom (age 89) and enjoying the warmer weather. So far, so good and it will be in the sixties today.

Ellen and I will stay connected if we should have any "weather" events and I will send out any cancellations through Remind.com and on the VAA Facebook page.

If you need to contact me, you can do so by cell phone/text, email or Facebook private message. I'll plan to send out the blog each week as well.

You will be working on music that we will sing at our March 8 concert with the Bel Canto Boychoir.

Stay warm! Go Pack!

Emily Crocker

Dear singers,

Well, it was no Ice Bowl, but the Packers have prevailed! (Yes, I actually remember the Ice Bowl!)

We'll see you tomorrow night for regular rehearsal. If you pay your tuition in two installments, please bring your payment to rehearsal.

Also, if you have solos you would like to sing this spring, please bring your music. Any type of song will be considered for our March 8th concert.

Here is our schedule leading up to our March 8 concert:

Regular rehearsals - Jan. 12, 19, 26
Regular rehearsals - Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23
Extra rehearsal - March 2
Concert - March 8, Pius High School

Stay warm! See you Monday night!

Emily Crocker

VAA & MCC Virtual Choir Reunion!

MCC & VAA Virtual Choir Reunion

Instructions for creating and submitting your videos

Hello everyone,

I'm very excited by the response received from many of you. Here is what is happening. In January I plan to post two songs for you to record yourself and upload and in February two more. (Click on the links to get the music and audio tracks.)

The process is simple. You can download your music and then download at least one of the tracks:

• “with vocals” - this has a demo choir singing the song.
• “Part 1,” etc. - that part is boosted to help you review or learn your part.
• “Track” - instrumental only

January

When I Close My Eyes Music & Audio

Can You Hear Music & Audio

February

The Path to the Moon

For the Beauty of the Earth

After you have practiced and feel like you are ready, play the track through one device, like a computer and listen with headphones. Sing into another device, like a video camera or smartphone. Try to choose a place that is quiet and has a good acoustic. You can submit more than one recording and you can record more than one part if you want to, like soprano and alto, etc. Save your file at the best quality you can and label like this:

WhenICloseMyEyes_MyNameSoprano

Then submit here:

Upload finished videos here

Since I've never really done this before, I'm sure some things won't work. So, just let me know if you have problems at emily(a)vocalarts.us or send me a private Facebook message. And if any of you are techno wizards and have some advice for me, I'm all ears.

I can't wait to see your faces & hear the results. Spread the word!

Happy new year!

Emily Crocker