Join the University of Reading Virtual Band and Choir
Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Music at Reading are creating a video featuring musicians from the University community all performing the same song.
Students, staff, alumni and community members are all welcome to get involved, you don't have to have been a member of Music at Reading previously.
We're starting off with the jazz favourite It Don't Mean a Thing (if it ain't got that swing). There are parts for every instrument, as well as singers, so we'd love to receive as many submissions as possible.
In our Google Classroom you'll find sheet music, links to example performances, a vocal track to help singers learn their part, and drum/click tracks to play along with.
To join us:
- Visit: classroom.google.com
- Click the + sign in the top right corner
- Select 'Join Class'
- Type in the code: sh3fpl4
Submission Deadline: 9:00, Monday 1 June
Process and performance notes
Sign Up: Try to sign up for a part that no one else is playing, so that we get as full a sound as possible. If there isn't a part free, join in on whichever part you choose. All singers will be singing the same part, so we can take everyone who would like to be involved. Feel free to record more than one part!
Practice: We can't use any recordings with audible mistakes, so make sure you are confident before filming.
Film: Listen to the drum or click track using headphones so that we all stay in time and in tune - we only want to hear you, not the backing. Film from the very beginning of the track until the end, and stay silent during any rests so that we can synchronise the performances. You can use anything to film, a video or audio filmed on your phone is great.
Submit: Either use Google Classroom and ‘submit your assignment' or send the file to music@reading.ac.uk using WeTransfer by the deadline of 9:00 Monday 1 June.
Wait: Behind the scenes, we'll be busy editing the video together.
Premiere: We're planning to release the video around the time our end of year performances should have taken place (details will be shared in due course).
Share: share the video as far and wide as possible!
If you have any questions, please email music@reading.ac.uk.
HOT OFF THE PRESS! Music at Reading online events
We are delighted to announce the continuation of Music at Reading live, a series of webinars and tutorials led by our professional directors for everyone to join in with. Among the events include tutorials for the It Don't Mean a Thing project:
Thursday 21 May - Online Signature Sounds and Jazz Sounds tutorials for It Don't Mean a Thing
Thursday 28 May - Online Academic Voices and Chamber Choir tutorials for It Don't Mean a Thing
Monday 1 June - Webinar: Jazz Arranging and Composing with Jamie Howell
Thursday 4 June - Online Academic Voices and Chamber Choir tutorials for It Don't Mean a Thing
Monday 8 June - Online Signature Sounds and Jazz Sounds tutorials for It Don't Mean a Thing
Thursday 11 June - Webinar: Vocal tone colour in choral singing with Patrick Barrett
Monday 15 June - Music at Reading Review of the Year
You can join the events by following the Google Classroom instructions above.