24 April, 2014: Introduction to "Pride" and Lighting Ideas

We set up our classroom to resemble the stage, using the draft layout we created the previous day. I then began warming up my voice independently using the same video I used on the 21st as it is not only effective but quick.

We then warmed up as a group - me, Crystal, Serena, Tamara and Elica - as the other guys were uninterested. Crystal started by playing the piano and then I led the exercises.

We began rehearsing "Golden Brown". Kian changed the backing vocal arrangement on the second verse as it was near identical to that which is on "Pride". He also asked that I harmonise the lead with him on the verses, so I will need to learn those lyrics.

I thought it would be more interesting if I harmonise a third below Kian on the first verse and then a third above on the second to add tension to the arrangement.

The arrangement for "Golden Brown" is as follows:
Intro
Verse
Chorus
Verse
Instrumental/Outro

After spending an hour on "Golden Brown" we moved on to the Silver Tongue Bandoliers' "Pride" which Crystal and Kian (as it is his band's song) have performed live at STB's debut music video launch.

Kian and Crystal led the song whilst me and Serena sang the backing vocals normally sang by the other band members. We sang through most of the song so that Stefan, Elica and Tamara could become more familiar with the song and the harmonies in particular. Kian then allocated harmonies to them and we ran through the song with everyone singing this time.

The arrangement for "Pride" is as follows:
Intro
Verse
Chorus
Verse
Chorus
Instrumental break with backing vocals/harmonies
Chorus

Kian, Crystal and Dylan had to leave and as Luke wasn't present we then had no instrumentalists. Regardless, we set group objectives and personal objectives to ensure we made the most of our time.

We showcased our solos and gave critique on each. In doing this, we also decided to change the set list; Tamara changed Jessie J's "I Miss Her" for Hayden Panettiere's "Consider Me" and I swapped Gabrielle's "Dreams" for Michelle Williams' "Fire" - which I performed at the Talent Show fundraiser.

Tamara gave an acapella performance of "Consider Me" which I preferred to her rendition of "I Miss Her" from a few weeks ago. The lower pitch and the softer tone that the song song requires for an effective delivery suits Tamara's voice much better. She also seemed much more comfortable singing it which will translate into a better performance on the night - an uncomfortable performer results in an uncomfortable audience.

We devised a draft lighting/projector plan which we can present in our meeting with MKCC (our venue) and ask if it is possible to bring our ideas to fruition with the facilities available and if not adapt our plans accordingly.

For example for mine and Tamara's duet "Say Something", Tamara suggested we have dim lighting whilst I suggested we be set apart on stage, looking out into the audience with  two spotlights set on us. The two ideas could coincide as a spotlight could be very dim at the beginning of the song as Tamara plays the piano and then a spotlight illuminates me once I begin singing. As the climax builds so could the spotlights and we could possibly add some coloured lighting at this point - but not anything garish which would detract from the sentiement and sensitivity of the performance.