Structured Planning
During that discussion, we were going over the songs and what order our emcee Sandy Cornelison had chosen for them to be sung. In an attempt to shed light on why the order is important, our director Nancy Goldberg gave a brief explanation of the ebb and flow of a performance, talking about having a balance between uptunes and ballads so the audience doesn't get worn out or--worse yet--lose interest. It is for this reason I decided it would be interesting to do my next blog on what makes a great performance.
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Acappella Omaha Chorus (Photo Credit: Sweet Adelines International)
In Acappella Omaha, we hold locally written and produced musical-style shows each fall, and fashion style shows each spring as our main fundraisers, but we are also available for hire to sing at events. Earnings from these as well as membership dues allow us to purchase music, costumes, coaching sessions, educational opportunities, rehearsal-related fees, and basically cover the costs it takes to run such a 501(c)3 largely volunteer-based non-profit The Aim of Entertainment |
Pictured here is Kathy as Marilyn Monroe in Acappella Omaha's 2013 Fall Show "Wish Upon a Star", where all the members were dressed as movie stars in a role they played. Kathy gave a truly star performance!
Jackie Narduzzo played a terrific Auntie Mame in AOC's 2013 show and is pictured here (left) filling in for Baritone Maggie Reid with Our Choice Quartet members Deb Van Erdewyk, Dottie Heffernan and Carol Gates.
You Got to Move it, Move it!
Jackie says: "[Use] a peppy opener that makes everyone in the audience wake up and listen...it is okay to slow down and let them hear you sing a lovely slower song in the 2nd spot...it is nice to have a theme, especially if you are doing a longer show! Do not ramble on...the audience doesn't stay with the story if too long. I found it nice to tell the history of a song, say what movie it was from. It is nicer to use a variety of women [for emcees]...the audience likes variety, and it makes it more fun for them. Try to use notes sparingly...know your story, might have to glance at it, but try to tell it like it's very personal, not written for you to stare at. This is why it is easier to use more people, they can learn their part and talk as though they are familiar with the people in the experience you are telling about. With two or three other emcees, the load is off one person having to carry it all. If someone is ill or has other commitments and can't be at a performance, the main emcee has back up. Also two people going to a mic to tell a story adds interest, as they can argue, or laugh and goof off and make people laugh, and the audience relaxes and wants to hear what they are talking about."
A Simple AND Complex Undertaking
I've also done my share of event planning, script writing, etc. and in my opinion, the formula is pretty simple--it's just the execution that can be challenging! In a nutshell:
- Have a plan.
- Rehearse the plan. Perform when you rehearse or you'll be rehearsing when you perform!
- Keep it moving.
- Avoid weak material. Stories, jokes and anecdotes need to be short and strong.
- Show some love by dropping VIP names from the audience if that fits.
- Roll with surprises fluidly and lightly.
- Keep it light, smile and emote the happy!
- Read your audience. Wrap it up early if that's what audience facial expressions are telling you.
What Does the "Father of Contemporary A Cappella" say?
I was a fan of Deke Sharon's work even before I knew who he was. He produces The Sing-Off worldwide (USA, Netherlands, China), which had the highest ratings of any new, unscripted television show in the US in 2009, and was the third highest rated show on NBC in 2010. He also served as arranger, on-site music director and vocal producer for Universal's Pitch Perfect starring Anna Kendrick (2012), and now the much-anticipated Pitch Perfect II is coming out in May of 2015. These are two of my most favorite franchises!
Deke Sharon is heralded as the "Father of Contemporary A Cappella", having developed the dense vocal-instrumental (full band) sound in college as founder of the House Jacks, and has been spreading this terrific artform around the world ever since--making contemporary a cappella more popular than ever. He has also done some instruction/advising work within the Sweet Adelines International network, is a prolific arranger (over 2,000 songs), and Acappella Omaha is currently singing his version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. For these reasons, I've had brief visits with him on social media platforms and have enjoyed his illuminating sense of humor on a few of his videos, so was moved to ask if he might take a few moments to share what makes a great performance. I was delighted to hear back so promptly and truly appreciate his wisdom on the subject. Here is Deke's reply:
"Say Something.
YouTube is bringing us closer to Andy Warhol's "Fifteen minutes of fame" for everyone which has allowed for the democratization of fame to some extent, but it has also diluted what it means to perform.
Performing should not be an empty call for attention. "Look at me" isn't enough. Yes, attractive people and talented people will be able to draw viewers with their beauty and skill, but it is not enough to sustain attention nor is it enough to touch someone's life or make a lasting difference. To do this, you need to say something. Something real.
What does this mean? How do you do this? First, you need to make sure that behind each thing you create, each performance, is truth. Do the lyrics have meaning for you? Are you speaking from experience? To make a song or a role your own, you need to dig deep and find how you relate to your art, and how you can deliver it with honesty and veracity and meaning. A joyful song needs to be joyful, not just seem joyful. People will usually be able to tell if what you do isn't real.
This isn't easy to do and it isn't easy to sustain but being a performer isn't easy. Anyone can have a good night, a good performance; A true professional performer finds a way to bring the truth every day, every night, so that every performance grabs, holds, and speaks directly to the audience in a way that is real, powerful, and memorable."
Check out this fun National Public Radio interview with Deke Sharon.
What's Your Opinion?
I would also love to know what you think is entertaining in any of the shows or anything you've seen. We can all learn from other's views and--even in an office setting or business presentation--don't we all want to be as engaging and interesting as we can be when we're communicating to others? Please use the Comments section below to let us know what you think makes a great performance!
Today's Quote:
"I really don't think of myself as a singer. I think of myself as an entertainer, and the best place I do it is onstage."
-- Cher
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