How to Record a Celebration of Excellence Video

Congratulations on being invited to perform in this year’s 2020 Celebration of Excellence for your region. As you record, here are some things to keep in mind.

There are limits on the number of people able to perform in each region. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis within beginner, intermediate, and advanced groupings upon fully completing their RSVP form.
If you are not accepted right away, you will be placed on a waitlist. Please note, you do need to submit a video to be placed on the waitlist. An RCM staff member will contact you if your waitlist submission is accepted.
At the start of your recording, please state your full name clearly. Then silently count to five in your head before you begin to play. This will help our team to ensure your video matches the PDF program we create.

What Device Should I Use to Record?
We suggest using a phone or tablet (recording at 1080p).

You can record on your smartphone (e.g. iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, etc.) or tablets using the default settings which is normally at 1080p (1920 x 1080) HD at 30fps. If 1080p is not possible 720p (1280 x 720) is okay. Below are the approximate file sizes for each setting:
- 1080p is approximately 130 MB per minute
- 720p is approximately 60 MB per minute
How Should I Set-Up My Device?
- Please record in landscape mode by turning your phone or tablet sideways. Arrange it so the device is placed solidly either on a tripod or leaning against a heavy object so that it will not shake or move during the recording.
- It is ideal if your device is at about the eye level with you
- Please try to frame yourself within the video image with not too much space above your head.
- Being close to the camera is generally better so that we can see and hear you well.
Environment

Example: Video framing when speaking and showing your instrument
Lighting
- Lightning has a huge impact on the quality of the video. Please make sure you have ample lightning when recording. Ideally, the light source should be behind the camera that is recording.
- Please make sure that you don’t have strong light coming from behind you.
Sound
- The default microphone on your recording device will do.
- Please choose a place with no background noise or interruptions
Uploading Video Files
- To upload your recordings, please use the following dropbox links. We ask you to take care to submit your video into the appropriate dropbox link.
- Click on “Choose Files” to select your videos. On mobile phone, this will probably be in your “Photos” folder unless you specified a different place.
If you have been invited to perform in British Columbia & Yukon, Alberta & NorthWest & Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, or the Atlantic (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) regions, please submit your video below.

Canada | Upload Video Here

If you have been invited to perform in California and Hawaii, North West (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington), South West (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming)*, North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin), South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas), North East (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia), or South East (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia) regions, please submit your video below.

US | Upload Video Here

*Please note: The North West and South West regions are combined for 2020
What Should I Wear?

While we may be celebrating from home this year – we encourage you to dress for a recital. We are celebrating your incredible achievements and you are our guests of honour. Please wear clothing that is comfortable and makes you feel great!
Performance

We can’t wait to see your performances. We will be placing all videos back-to-back as if they were a recital. Please start your recording when you are set up and ready to play. Remember to say your name before performing and to silently count to 5 in your head before you begin to play. After you finish playing, you are welcome to take a bow before the recording ends.

Congratulations on your remarkable achievements. Happy recording!