Sing together again
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As a full time performer and choir director, I too have been personally and professionally affected by the pandemic that is sweeping the world. The safety and well-being of our singers is obviously our first priority, but that doesn't stop the pain of not being able to get together to express our common humanity through music.
That said, my unique background of over 15 years directing choirs, combined with my professional knowledge of audio engineering and video production has led to an occupational pivot. I am proud to offer my services to prepare and produce quality Virtual Choir videos for ensembles in the US and UK, allowing singers to sing together even when they're apart. I agree that this is a far cry from choirs performing for an audience, in person, and live. But maybe it's the next best thing. |
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Examples of my work
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Face Academy of Music: Virtuosity
Directed by Stephen Ross "Helplessly Hoping" as performed by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. This is one of my favorite projects of all time. The singers all did a phenomenal job of capturing the beauty and deceptively difficult rhythmic syncopation and tight harmonies. It was a blast bringing the narrative to life through this new visual medium. At to that the virtuosic guitar playing of Dave Preston... magical. |
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Encore Creativity for Older Adults (MD)
Directed by David Simmons "Good Lovin'" by Rudy Clark & Arthur Resnick, arranged by Kirby Shaw As the producer of Encore's Winter '20 and Spring '21 concert, it was a pleasure to help keep music alive in these passionate performers! Their energy was infectious on every song I worked on, and their dedication to singing and performing was made evident. This project also allowed me to include a few instruments (humbly featuring yours truly on guitar and bass!) |
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The Morris Area Honor Choir (NJ)
Directed by Moira Smiley "The World Will Not Pause" by Moira Smiley Initially, I wasn't sure what to think of this piece, but after spending some time with it I find it hauntingly beautiful and poignant. The various harmonic textures Moira Smiley built into the song are unique and stunning, and it was an enjoyable process to let them reveal themselves throughout the production of this video. |
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The Boulder Concert Chorale
Directed by Vicki Burrichter "All of Us" from Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson I was humbled to work with the illustrious Boulder Chorale on this remarkable piece reflecting on the legacy of Matthew Shepard. At the time, this was by far the largest production I attempted, both in duration and in number of singers! This song is a beautiful reminder that in the end, love is all that matters. |
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The Coal Creek Community Chorus
Directed by Stephen Ross "Away from the Roll of the Sea" by Allister MacGillivray This was my first ever attempt at putting together a virtual choir, and I did it for the beloved community chorus that I direct. Throughout this project, I taught myself much of the process for creating videos like this. I'll be forever grateful to my singers for their contribution to this beautiful -- and appropriate for the times -- choral classic. |
Want more? Click here to check out my Virtual Choir YouTube Channel for many more examples of projects I've produced!
Collaborate on a Virtual Choir
for YOUR Ensemble!
It would be my honor to collaborate with YOU on creating a virtual choir project for your chorus. The cost of the full production of a video starts at $1,500, though if you have budget constraints (which I, of all people, TOTALLY understand!), I'd encourage you to still reach out to see if we can make it work based on variables such as the number of singers in your ensemble, complexity of the piece you selected, and flexibility of your timeline.
If we move forward, here is a chronological list of what is offered:
If we move forward, here is a chronological list of what is offered:
- You would send me the (legally purchased!) sheet music of the piece you want to produce, with any instructions on how you want the final performance to sound and/or look. If possible, provide a reference recording (or YouTube link of a performance) you'd like this project to emulate.
- Based on that I'll produce out MIDI-fied "sing-along tracks" for each section for your singers to use while filming. These can be distributed to your singers as a video or audio file.
- I will send you clear step-by-step instructions to pass onto your singers explaining exactly how they should set up and record themselves using the devices they already have access to at home.
- You (the director) will vet and "collect" videos from all your singers in a Google Drive or Dropbox folder, which you'll ultimately share with me.
- I will then separate the video and audio on those files, line up, EQ, edit, tune (if needed), and mix the audio in Logic Pro X, then line up, frame, and edit together all the videos in Final Cut Pro X in an engaging way, then marry the two elements into a final product. Depending on the number of singers and the vision of the project, the entire production takes 2-4 weeks once I have all the student videos on hand.
- Throughout the process, I will share updates and drafts of my progress with you.
- You (the director) are entitled to infinite edits until you are satisfied with the final outcome! Once completed, the method of distribution is totally up to you.
Testamonials
Stephen Ross literally helped me save my program—at least for the seniors who faced such great loss due to Covid-19. His exceptional skill and boundless creativity are only matched by the size of his heart for kids and the enthusiasm he brings for helping them put their best efforts out there into the world for all to see. Stephen meets you and your kids exactly where you and they are, and he works diligently with you to take their work product to a level you and they can ALL be proud to call your own! I can’t thank him enough for all his help and guidance throughout the creative process in creating our Virtual Choir Videos; there just are not enough superlatives! I would choose to work with Stephen Ross again, and again, and again and AGAIN!
Todd Albrecht
Choir Director at Cañon City High School
(Cañon City, CO)
What Stephen offers is above and beyond this typical kind of “service.” His preparatory materials and incredibly clear instructions take out the guess work for the director and students. Despite being in the UK, Stephen was always available for every question that I had and offered quick responses for even the smallest of questions. Working with him was the best decision I made while being completely overwhelmed and overworked during distance-learning. The final video was beautifully produced, and is something my students and I will have forever.
Lisa Ross
Choir Director at The American School in London
(London, UK)
Working with Stephen was a dream. He is patient, incredibly talented and knowledgeable about what he is doing. I was grateful for all of the help and selfishly, I want to keep his talents all to myself, but I know that I must share him with the rest of the choral world.
Janice Vlachos
Choir Director at Fairview High School
(Boulder, CO)
Todd Albrecht
Choir Director at Cañon City High School
(Cañon City, CO)
What Stephen offers is above and beyond this typical kind of “service.” His preparatory materials and incredibly clear instructions take out the guess work for the director and students. Despite being in the UK, Stephen was always available for every question that I had and offered quick responses for even the smallest of questions. Working with him was the best decision I made while being completely overwhelmed and overworked during distance-learning. The final video was beautifully produced, and is something my students and I will have forever.
Lisa Ross
Choir Director at The American School in London
(London, UK)
Working with Stephen was a dream. He is patient, incredibly talented and knowledgeable about what he is doing. I was grateful for all of the help and selfishly, I want to keep his talents all to myself, but I know that I must share him with the rest of the choral world.
Janice Vlachos
Choir Director at Fairview High School
(Boulder, CO)
