The Asheville Chapter’s Land of the Sky Chorus, has now had three drive-in rehearsals under their name of CARbershop. Every member can hear the chorus sound through their FM headsets (new), their car radio (not perfect) or through the speakers sharing the sound with the area, including some neighbors! Click here to see their video on Facebook.
Taking advice from the Somerset Hills Chapter in NJ, Randy Johnston (whom you might know from managing sound for the Carolina’s District Fall Festivals) began pulling this together with Randy Hagan, VP of Music, and our director, Kati Swinney. Finding a location was a challenge at first, but we are now singing in a church parking lot. Meeting the first time in July, members used their car radios (which was less-than-ideal) but the excitement was there!
We’ve had 3 outdoor rehearsals to date. Setup begins with directing the cars into a semi-circle. Wired mics on stands are positioned at each vehicle. Members can use the mic from the stand through their windows, or pull the mic inside. Randy then balances individual levels on his mixere; there are speakers for global sound, and as of last week, a new FM antenna to broadcast to a slightly wider range on an open frequency.
We’re getting more efficient every time we do this, and the members are all very appreciative of the chance to sing together from their cars. Katie has done short sectionals to work out issues, recommended facial expression while watching through the windshields, and we’ve had tag sessions too.
Necessary equipment is a mixer with sufficient inputs (we use cabled mics), and FM transmitter, mics for everyone. Members are responsible for FM headsets (preferred) or car stereo (has issues with lag). We also use a small speaker system; those outside their cars get a bit of a concert if they walk by! Setup takes approx 30 minutes upon arrival (once equipment is in place, which is about 1 hour).
Anyone wanting further information can contact Randy at jrandy66@gmail.com or Beverly at beverly.greene83@gmail.com.
You can also follow the chorus at the Land of the Sky’s Facebook page, or the new HotRods and Harmony Facebook page.
