麻豆社

1. Choose your music

• You’ll need to film yourselves singing two pieces of music, and upload the videos.
• Each piece of music MUST be two and a half minutes or less.
• One MUST be a Christmas carol or song. The other can be a sacred song in any musical style, for example a hymn, favourite classical choral solo, a spiritual or inspirational song, anthem, aria, gospel or worship song. Out of the two pieces, one of the choices MUST be well-known, for example a hymn, carol or worship song regularly sung in church. You can sing in any voice register according to what best suits your age and voice development.
• The recordings can be accompanied or unaccompanied. If you apply with one or two unaccompanied songs you will not be penalised. If you want to, you can use your own accompaniment on piano, keyboard or organ. Alternatively, you can sing to one (or more) of our backing tracks, but you don’t have to use them.

2. Find a quiet space

• Turn off any noisy appliances and ask members of your household to keep any noise down.
• Whilst filming, think about lighting, avoid wearing branded clothing or busy patterns, and make sure there’s nothing in the background you wouldn’t want people to see!

3. Set up your recorder

• Record on a digital camera, smart phone, tablet or laptop.
• Plugging in an external microphone could help you achieve a better sound, if you have one – but if not, don't worry.
• Set up the device in a stable position, put it on a stand or ask someone to hold it steady. It should be about a metre away from you. If you have accompaniment, keep it simple and make sure that it doesn’t overpower your voice.
• Check that you are filming in landscape not portrait.

4. Go for a take!

5. Check the recording

• Watch the recording and listen carefully to how it sounds. If you’re not happy or if there are intrusive noises, try again.
• If the accompaniment is too loud, try another recording further away from the accompaniment.
• The judges will be using the criteria for judging in Section 15 of the Rules, and will assess as objectively as they can, regardless of the technical quality of the picture and sound.

6. Upload your track

• Upload the files using 麻豆社 Uploader. If you have problems using the online form, please contact youngchorister@ctvc.co.uk within good time of the closing date.
• A parent or guardian should fill in the application form and confirm that they agree with, and have read, the privacy notice.
• You can send in your videos in the following formats:
  • MP4 and M4V
  • Windows Media Video
  • QuickTime (except for ProRes videos - these are not supported)
  • 3GP
  • AVI
  • MPEG
  • Flash video

Most importantly sing out, perform, and have fun!

Any questions - please e-mail: youngchorister@ctvc.co.uk