Each chorus member is required to send in a readiness recording for each song he has never sung with NBC before at a performance or competition. The Music Team will let you know when Readiness Recordings are due for any given song. The Music Team keeps track of submitted recordings and performance authorization for each individual and for each song.

Readiness recordings are audio recordings made with a personal device (cell phones tend to be easiest). When you feel that you have a good handle on a song (not necessarily 100% note-for-note, but “performance-ready”), record yourself singing either with the chorus during rehearsal or at home (playing the full mix track out loud on another device). This way, we can hear the rest of the chorus/mix track with your voice predominant. If technology isn’t your strong suit, ask your section leader for assistance and he’ll be happy to help.

Once you’ve made the recording of a song, text or email it to your section leader. He will do his best to review it and give you feedback within one week. If, for some reason, your section leader is unable to review your submission in a timely manner, he will ask another member of the Music Team to do it.

Once you submit your recordings and get songs approved by your section leader, you will be able to sing them with the chorus at performances outside of rehearsal. If you obtain approval to sing some songs but not others, we will ask you to either sing at “volume zero” (silently mouthing the words) or have you step down from the risers for the song in question, depending on the situation. Focus on learning the songs one at a time, ask for whatever help you need, and get approved song-by-song. You’ll be at full performance authorization in no time!