Hi, Bob.  If possible, try singing outside in rehearsal well before the date.  It isn't awful, just different.  A second thing to decide is whether or not, since you'll be miked, to ask for monitor speakers, or to ask NOT to have monitor speakers.  If your audio people are used to mixing for bands, they'll want to mic you closely and to give you loud monitor speakers.  Ask NOT to be miked closely, and ask either NOT to have monitor speakers or to have them turned up VERY lightly.  What will happen with singers who aren't used to hearing themselves on monitors is that they'll think they're too loud and they'll pull back.  And have them standing (or sitting) as closely together as possible, so they can hear each other as well as possible WITHOUT the monitors.

 

But it you don't get to try it ahead of time in a soundcheck, just tell you singers to sing their normal way and let the audio crew worry about the miking.  You'll do just fine.

 

All the best,

 

John

 

 

 I would simply say that unless you are hiring real professional sound engineers who have a ton of experience miking choirs and instrumental ensembles in an outdoor setting, don't expect too much. An outside rehearsal will help the choir get used to not hearing each other. Just do your best for the joy of the occasion and the PR, but based on my experience, a fine artistic product will prove elusive under these circumstances. 

DR

 Not our usual scenario or size, we are a chamber choir singing outside since 1973- earlier in other configurations-but some things to consider: In an urban setting there is little control over noise- we learn to automatically increase our dynamics when challanged by airliners, sirens, etc. Since we are not miked- we some times mix -up our selves into grouplets. Always looking for supportive venues with some acoustic feedback.

 

[Its true about most engineers not knowing much about out door miking- ask for demos.I assume you will also do chant, and that the cantor will be easier to separately mike. If instruments double parts, consider having them placed amoung the singers.]

 

 We are sometimes recorded -video'd by strangers or specialists who come upon us. An example is on our website.

 

 Check with  John Hetland or his website if you want to know more:<www.streetsingers.org>

 Our director has edited some 300 renaissance motets/masses so you know what we sing! - having large print scores in windproof folders could be helpful.

 

SIR

Hi, Bob.

 

You didn't mention WHERE you are, but having performed over the past 11 years at many outdoor events with my community chorus in Oklahoma ("where the wind comes sweeping down the plain"), I can definitely advise you to bring CLIPS or SHEETS OF PLEXIGLASS to hold pages in place on the music stands for all of the instrumentalists, and a page turner/holder for the organist!  In several situations, we've even brought sandbags to hold the music stands on stage, as well.

 

Let music live!

Sam.

 

We did this for a Pentecost Mass (in June) a number of years ago in an outdoor ampitheater here at Fort Belvoir (VA) with the three choirs - traditional, contemporary, and Hispanic - and while it was a fun experience, the cautions that have already been mentioned are to be taken very seriously, i.e., don't expect to hear yourselves terribly well; if you don't have experienced sound production personnel, it's almost better to do without any sound help; and don't expect a terrific artistic experience, because this isn't the place to have it.  I would also ditto getting as close to each other as possible, and if possible have at least one rehearsal in the venue (though it may be hard to get the majority of the singers together at one place at one time - rather like herding cats).

 

One thing that I can't figure from your post is WHERE you are - i.e., what part of the States (assumption) you're in.  May is warm in Virginia, and even a canopy doesn't mitigate the sun enough.  Make SURE, if you have warmish weather at that time (and I suspect this'll be late May, not early) that EVERYone brings water to keep well lubricated.  Believe me, having been in a circumstance where somebody passed out in performance it can be a real shocker when it happens.  As it turned out, the lady who did so had a heart condition AND was a diabetic AND hadn't eaten that morning.  That "detail" can get overlooked until it becomes the only thing anyone remembers about the event.

 

But I do endorse the notion of seeing this as a terrific opportunity to bring the community together - especially in the form of the music ministry as a whole - which in a Catholic parish can be too close to a whole series of little fiefdoms ("Well, we go to the 10:30" "Well, we're at the 5:00") and the important thing to get everyone's head wrapped around is that they are all part of a larger community.

 

Ron Duquette

Catholic Choir Director

Fort Belvoir, VA

Dear Folks,

 

Thank you all for the excellent responses ... I am greatful and they will be very helpful.

 

Bob Grant