The Penn Med Symphony Orchestra is going virtual and we would love for you to be involved! If you would like to join us then you are welcome to record yourself playing Elgar’s Nimrod from the Enigma Variations. Below you can find our guide on how to participate. All recordings need to be submitted by October 15th.
1. Practicing your part
Practice your part along with the below guide video of Dan Zhang conducting to a recording.
2. Setup for your video
Attire: We encourage you to show your hospital, school, or institution’s logo by wearing scrubs, white coat, or fleece, etc.! Otherwise, please wear a solid, neutral-colored shirt with no patterns.
Background: Try to choose a plain background in any color and avoid having any windows in the shot. If this is not possible, please close the curtains or blinds.
Lighting: Aim to light yourself more brightly than the background. Please try not to position yourself in front of a window or other lighting source in order to avoid appearing in silhouette. (Lighting from above or behind the camera is ideal.)
Camera orientation: Please film in a horizontal landscape view with you and your instrument visible from your torso up. Use a tripod if possible or prop up your camera at eye level so that it does not move.
Positioning: Try to position yourself to the camera as if you are seated on stage in your orchestra section and the camera is the audience. You and your instrument should occupy most of the vertical space in the frame, with the camera approximately 4-8 feet away. You may stand or sit. Please also make sure your music stand is not in the frame.
First violins play in profile with your right shoulder to the camera
Cellos and basses play in profile with your left shoulder to the camera
Second violins and violas play at ¾ view accordingly
Winds, brass, and percussion play facing straight at the camera
Earphones: In-ear headphones or AirPods are preferable; avoid large over-ear headphones if possible. Please do not play the conducting video without earphones, to avoid audio feedback.
Equipment: If you are recording with a phone, please film with the main camera if possible for better video quality. A webcam on a computer is an acceptable backup option. If you have access to an external microphone, that should yield better quality audio.
Please check that you are filming in no higher quality than 1080p (not 4K!). If you are using an iPhone, video settings can be found under Settings > Camera > Record Video.
3. Test your audio setup.
Play the softest and loudest passages using your recording device(s). You are looking to get an evenly balanced recording, but if in doubt, go for a closer, more present sound rather than a more distant one.
Ideally record in a quiet space so that background noise is kept to a minimum, although we understand that circumstances may make this challenging.
4. Record your video using earphones, listening along to the video.
You will first see instructions to line up a clap; please make sure the clap is in time and both very audible and visible! This will help us sync up all the videos.
Please record from the top and have the camera on for the entire duration of the piece, even during rests. (You will likely not be on screen during rests.)
Your recording must be a single uninterrupted take. You are encouraged to record multiple times as necessary to achieve a clean take.
5. Upload your video (and external audio if applicable)
Rename your file(s) in this format: “Section - Instrument/Part - Full Name” e.g. “Strings - Violin/Top - Daniel Zhang”
Please submit your recordings by the end of the day on October 15th. If you have any questions or concerns while working on this project, such as questions about your camera setup or musical directions, please email pennmedsymphony@gmail.com.
Finally, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, where we will be releasing the final edited video, in addition to emailing you the link directly. We are excited to work with you and put together our first virtual performance!
