Singing with My Students in Virtual Choir 4.0

When composer/conductor Eric Whitacre launched Virtual Choir 4.0 a few weeks ago, I'm sure I wasn't the only music teacher in the world to say, "Oh no! This couldn't have come at a worse time!" Music festivals, recitals, exams, putting together the registration package for next year, etc. etc. - there is a LOT on our plates right now (our counterparts in the school system would undoubtedly agree). In fact, I was rather grumpy about not having time to practice Bliss. Thankfully, Team Eric have prepared a lot of support materials. I have been listening to the practice tracks on a regular basis - it keeps me calm while I deal with the icky administrative tasks of running your own business. I am quite relieved that the Bliss is easier than Water Night (although, I do love Water Night to bits).

When six of my piano students stepped forward to say, "I'd like to sing in Virtual Choir" this year, the opportunist within me got excited. For my students, this is a great learning opportunity: in terms of music technology, ear training, expression, speed learning, etc. etc. For me, their lessons ARE my practice time.

As soon as they said "yes", I sent their families the Underage Consent Form (if applicable) and encouraged them to join the Virtual Choir Community. Together, with their parents, they could read up on how to practice, download the practice tracks and ask questions. One of my students has been spending quite a bit of time on the forums so I've been directing my other students to ask HIM questions.

Last week, I coached my students on the trouble spots. It really helps that they are singing parts that are in my vocal range. This week, we're working on pitch, breathing and pronunciation. After working through it at a lesson today, I feel hopeful that I can record at least one track ahead of my students.

This Friday, we are going to have a studio Virtual Choir rehearsal. Staggered breathing will make much more sense to them when we work as a group. As well, they will have an opportunity to watch the conductor videos together and ask questions.

I can also share with them this little demo that fellow Virtual Choir members put together by randomly selecting 44 members of VC4 who have already submitted their videos:

Afterwards, they will take turns recording in my special Virtual Choir recording booth:

Since our time-frame is extremely short (we must submit our tracks before June 10), we have to go with the best of three takes, a far cry from my Virtual Choir recording experience last year. Everyone is bringing non-dairy food to share as we'll be cutting into dinnertime. Their parents get to hang out with us if they'd like (or just curl up on my waiting room couch with a book).

Perhaps in July, when Virtual Choir 4.0 is unveiled at the Coronation Festival’s Gala performances for Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth, we can have a VC4 party.

Learning to Perform Well While Terrified

Whether you're performing for grandma or the entire school, an examiner or the entire church congregation, stage fright happens. Your heart beats a little faster, your breath becomes more shallow. Maybe your hands get a little trembly.

It happens to everyone - even the pros! Check out some of these quotes:

“The terror of performing never goes away. Instead, you get very, very comfortable being terrified.”

~ Eric Whitacre, composer, conductor, 5th member of Depeche Mode ~

"I have had a very difficult time with stage fright; it undermines your well-being and peace of mind, and it can also threaten your livelihood."

~ Renee Fleming, soprano ~

"Because you get very nervous, sweetheart, you have to get this spot right 11 times out of 10 at home so that you can get it right 10 times out of 10 on stage."

~ Irina Ginzburg, piano teacher, pianist (to me) ~

So what's a musician to do? Well, as my one teacher, Irina Ginzburg was getting at, you need to know your music well. So well that your nerves can't get in the way. That means, you need to practice mindfully.

Another thing I've learned is that, it's not all about you. When people are listening, they are listening to the music. To the soundscape you are creating. Unless you're making weird faces and gestures, or wearing something distracting, they're really not focusing on you as much as you think they are. So don't worry about whether they thought "Oh dear, she messed up in Bar 23." Most likely, they don't even know. Depending on the performance setting, they really don't care about that "blip". If they don't care about it, then you shouldn't stress out over it.

Here's another point that I cannot stress enough: practice performing. At university, I was performing nearly every week. Our practice rooms had windows in them, so anyone could peek in and listen to you. I learned to manage my nerves then.

Now, I play in a church choir. I alternate with another pianist/conductor so we're "on" nearly every week in one way or another. Once, I had my hands in the wrong starting position for a part of the Mass. No big deal, I just calmly moved my hands to the correct position and the choir carried on. When hymns are changed at the last minute, I wind up chording and sightreading. Another time, I messed up cuing in the choir so we all fumbled a bit until we found our way. It was one of those funny stage moments, so I bent over laughing, while one hand continued to conduct.

Sometimes, I botch chords. Sometimes, my improv doesn't sound so pretty. So what? The choir and the congregation are still singing. I just have to join in on the next bar. Next time will be different.

Now, if I only played at church once every two months or so, then I'd feel a bit more pressure. However, because I play or conduct on a regular basis, blips here and there aren't a big deal. The more you perform, the more you learn how to handle your nerves.

The music goes on, there simply isn't any time to obsess about it. Just do the best that you can in that moment - be present in that moment - and move on.

Here are some articles with tips on how to deal with stage fright:

What Every Musician Should Know About Stage Fright

Becoming a Confident Performer

Blocked by Performance Anxiety

How to Deal with Stage Fright

Check Your Pet Treats Before You Buy!

Recently, I purchased these healthy sounding Get Naked Dental Treats for Dogs:

Shortly after ingesting one dental chew, Maestro's lip started trembling and he got itchy. I promptly gave him a Benadryl pill and the trembling stopped.

When I took a closer look at the ingredients list, look at what I found at the end:

The final ingredient is "green tea extract". One to two laps of coffee or tea is enough to cause caffeine poisoning in dogs.

One could extrapolate that the trace amounts in the chew was enough to cause something like an allergic reaction. Speaking of allergic reactions, read up on how to recognize and treat allergic reactions in you dogs.

This was a good reminder to me how important it is to read ingredients labels - not just in our food - but in our pets' food too!

Treading New Ground, Exploring the Barefoot Movement

This probably comes as no surprise: as we age, our body just doesn't work the way it used to. Back pain, knee pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel...the list goes on! In my latest effort to control aches and pains, I purchased a pair of toe shoes:

The way I see it, my flat feet due to my Asian genes don't really become a problem until I wear "Western" shoes. Slippers? No problem. Flip-flops? No problem. Barefoot? Wonderful.

Why is that? I think it's because we use more of our foot to maintain our balance. In each of those shoes, I've notice that my toes work harder. There are less missteps and certainly no sprained or rolled ankles.

It's also easy to slip the shoe off and massage and stretch your feet throughout the day. However, don't take just my word on how this barefoot movement makes sense.

However, a paradigm shift is needed when walking in my Vibram Komodo Sport Five Finger Shoes. I'm a heavy heel-striker with shoes on. With minimalist, "zero-drop" or barefoot shoes, you just can't do that (well, you can try, but I really don't advise it).

I purchased my Vibrams from Mountain Equipment Co-Op. The sales associates are extremely helpful there, especially the second one I spoke with. He was full of tips on fitting and sizing.

Although, I'm still in the "first impressions stage", I can share with you what I've learned so far in my minimalist footwear experience:

• the shoes are comfy!

• you really do feel the surface better, ergo, your body adjusts quickly (especially when making sharp turns)

• my knees don't hurt as much

• normal runners are very clunky and constricting now

• a different type of shoe is needed if walking or standing on hard surfaces for long periods (more cushioning)

• my toes are stronger

Click on the links for more information on how to transition safely to barefoot or minimalist shoes for running or for everyday use, as well as how to thoroughly clean your toes shoes.

Next on my wish list: minimalist everyday shoes from Riva's Eco Store! However, I'm going to wait until my Correct Toe Spacers arrive first.

The Online Scheduling Systems Conclusion

After playing around with 10-and-a-half online scheduling systems, I have found one to use in my studio. The winner is....Appointy!

Here's how it fared out against my wish list:

Aesthetically pleasing and intuitive design: It's not the prettiest that I've seen (Book Fresh wins that hands down), but it does look clean and is intuitively designed.

Easy to use – both on the client end and the administrative end: Extremely easy. I booked test appointments as an administrator, staff and client. 

The ability to prevent short notice rescheduling: YES!This is customizable!

Various options for reminder notifications that can be customized by each user: To a degree. As an administrator, I have more control over this feature. It looks like SMS reminders cost credits.

The ability to synchronize appointments with several calendar platforms (e.g., iCal, Google Calendar, Outlook, etc.): YES! Just make sure that you synchronize your calendars BEFORE inputting appointments in Appointy or else they won't get synchronized. I learned that the hard way.

The ability to collect and process payments: YES! You need a Paypal account to link it to.

The ability to customize the appearance for branding purposes: You can add your own background photo and your logo.

Various privacy options so that the general public cannot see who I am teaching/consulting with: The default is that you are shown that unavailable times are struck out.

Easy to reschedule appointments (client or me): Extremely easy. Now would you like an email sent to the other party to notify them of the change? 

The ability to handle recurring appointments for a set period of time: No problem.

The ability to allow group bookings with a cap: YES! 

The ability to set different availability for each day: YES!

Solid tech support resources: I'll say! Amy at Live Chat was very helpful. Email requests take less than 24 hours for a response. You even get a follow up email asking if you are satisfied or still need help.

The ability to specify a time zone for appointments: YES!

Viewable and usable on a desktop and mobile devices: YES!

Advance scheduling: YES!

As a bonus: there's a Wordpress plugin! I also like how clients can log in using their Facebook or Google accounts. Of course, they can just log into their account using their Appointy account as well.

Cost: You get quite a bit with the free version: community support, mobile version, customizable availability, unlimited staff, service & bookings, customer relationship management tools, website integration, client verification, SMS alerts, multiple service booking at the same time, service dependency, reschedule appointments. I leveled up to the Pro Plan at $19.99 USD/month to get recurring bookings and the ability to accept payments.

We're just testing the online booking system right now with lesson re-scheduling and special class scheduling. I need some time to get my brain around the rest.

Other articles in this series: Exploring Online Scheduling Systems and Calendars for my Music Studio | Beginning My Hunt for the Perfect Online Scheduling System |  The Quest for the Perfect Online Scheduling System – Part 2