Our Virtually Live series, right from the beginning, has relied heavily on technology. This is something that was quite new in our group and was both a challenge and exciting to explore. The national lockdown was the catalyst for us starting to use a lot more technology in our group. This started simply, using zoom calls between the group to keep in touch, but quickly became something we wanted and needed to use to continue making music while we were separate. We started recording separately to put together outreach videos for Live Music Now which is when the use of software to sync and edit videos was first used in the group. From this, the idea that we could use this to create more as a group and reach audiences while not able to in person started to grow. When it was announced that small rehearsals could start, but the idea of having any public concerts was still a long way away, we knew we wanted to get back to playing together but we were also passionate about finding a new way of still being able to share our music with our audience.
From this the idea for a virtual concert series was born where we would get together in a studio to record and edit this to present as a steamed online concert rather than a simple video. As well as the technology used to film, edit and record, social media became vital in this project not only to put out our videos, but to get reactions and interaction from our audience to include in future videos. In order to make it feel more like a concert we felt it very important to make the streams personal where we would talk about the group, the series, our feelings about the pieces and answer online questions- using technology to connect us to our audience as well as them to our concert.
Logistically this meant that I had to learn very quickly how to record and edit videos. I already had an interest and experience in music technology having studied it at school and university so after investing in an interface and using the mics we had between us we set up our own makeshift studio and I used Logic Pro X to record and edit the sound. I had little video experience however, but massively enjoyed the learning curve. Using our phones to record and capture different angles, I then learnt from YouTube videos and online how to use Final Cut Pro to edit our video footage. Through the RPS Enterprise fund we were able to purchase the full Final Cut Pro software which raised the quality of videos hugely. We were passionate about making the videos not only look professional but add interest that can be lost from being online rather than in person, so to include many different angles and movement to help this. Throughout our series you can see the recording and editing become more intricate and involved as we gained experience and for me, it was a fun and useful skill to learn and one we now want to include in more of our projects moving forward in order to help accessibility and reaching wider audiences.
As restrictions started to open up and live concerts were possible we where desperate to get back to playing to a live audience however we knew that we wanted to carry on the series and keep a virtual element to keep the concerts accessible to a lot of our audience who had been watching from all over the country. So when we made Virtually Live: LIVE, we changed how we would normally set up a live concert, filming it to later stream online. This set up was different to in the studio as it was filmed live and we couldn’t stop after each piece or change set ups. This again brought new challenges but also meant it felt very natural and flowing, recording as a whole concert with in person interactions and reactions.
As Christmas 2021 came, because of geography, other work commitments and restrictions, we knew we wouldn’t be able to put on a Virtually Live Christmas concert in person, however we knew we still wanted to create and put out a concert so we decided to use our technology experience that had been building throughout the series to make it possible. The music was arranged and sent out to all record our parts separately for the quartet pieces. We also added ensemble pieces from each member including other musicians who are important to us and share our platform with them. I then edited these many separate components into one online Christmas concert to put out and to raise money for the charity Crisis. Editing videos like this where all four of us are recording in different places is very different to editing the live concerts videos where we are together. Syncing all of us in both audio and video adds more difficulty but is an amazing way to be able to create and perform together remotely.
Since that we have done our final two Virtually Live: LIVE performances (which Sarah and Cara will tell you about!), both which were filmed and are going to be released for an online audience. Although the project itself is done, what we have learnt through doing it, in so many different aspects, will be taken forward and be so useful for future projects. The use of technology to both record, and connect with audiences is something that I’m excited to continue and look forward to using it in new ways to make our performances more accessible, to reach wider audiences and as a creative tool. Our extended use of technology in this project first came from the want to connect to people in a time of great isolation and has become a way for us to bring together a wider community and audience of which we are very grateful.
by Eleanor
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