A unique, inspiring experience in NYC with singer/songwriter Caroline Jones

Choristers with Caroline Jones and audio engineers

In the darkness of the early morning, twenty-three singers and five adults boarded a bus bound for NYC to record at Avatar Studios with rising star Caroline Jones. Excitement filled the air as “roll” was called and snacks and water were loaded onto the bus for the journey – an experience of a lifetime for a special group of ChildrenSong of New Jersey singers.

Arriving at Avatar Studios, we rang the doorbell and entered the dark blue stairwell with “AVATAR” printed in bright white on the wall ahead and followed the lighted path to the entrance on the first floor to Studio A. The singers felt like stars; special to have been chosen over other choirs to sing “back-up vocals” to Caroline’s arrangement of Do You Hear What I Hear.

Choristers at Avatar Studios

Before entering Studio A, Caroline greeted the singers and sat them down in the lounge for a pep talk to prepare them for the experience. She told them the music will be used in a famous annual light show in Greenwich, Connecticut, in December. Caroline was quick to establish a relaxed rapport and an instant connection to her back-up singers! She was excited to be working with them. Personally, I think it was great to take a moment to get to know them. Some were a little nervous (ok, maybe A LOT) about what they were about to do!

With music in hand and shoes off, singers grabbed a water bottle and filed into the all-wood recording studio used by famous recording artists – Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Madonna, Journey, John Lennon, and Aerosmith to name a few. Singers were instructed on headset use and volume controls. After a few adjustments, they were pros! Caroline was off in another room warming up and our vocal coach was placing kids in position by voice part while I was receiving instruction on a mixer for my own headset.

Caroline Jones with Mrs. J

Once everyone was comfortable with the headsets and sound, we sang through the song twice for practice. Singers were instructed to sing as they were taught – with clarity of sound in tone and diction and to strictly follow the conductor, no matter what they heard. They were to be the foundation over which the soloist could freely improvise. Caroline sang each version a little different, a little more amazing each time. In the final take, the singers put their music down and sang from their hearts, relying on my conducting cues and Mrs. J’s vocal “reminders”. This became the best “take” of all. The song ended with a carefully-crafted burst of sound from the singers on the final word “light” which will end the dramatic light show presentation. The pureness of their sound was a perfect match for Caroline’s beautiful singing.

The singers grinned ear-to-ear when Caroline, Mrs. J and I looked at each other and nodded with pleasure! We sat the singers down on the huge carpet square, perfect for a group of twenty-three singers. Caroline sat down cross-legged in front of them and we all listened together as singers nailed each section of her carefully crafted vocal lines. Thumbs up and silent high-fives were seen through the choir as they too nodded with delight.

Choristers rehearsing at Avatar Studios

Afterwards, singers approached Caroline for autographs, while others started singing Iko Iko, a song recorded “impromptu style” in a recording studio back in the 60s. As one ambitious singer drummed out the percussion part on a metal water bottle, the singers joined each other in celebrating their successful recording session. It only took an hour to record the tracks to perfection. Singers blissfully broke into song on other a cappella favorites in their current repertoire: Inanay (an Australian aboriginal song) and Sesere Eeye from the Torres Strait Islands, enjoying the acoustics and ambience of the famous recording studio.

After our mini-song celebration, the singers filed back out to the lounge area to eat lunch and socialize. They were professional and focused at all times and were commended on their preparedness by staff members. Caroline gathered the singers one last time to tell them how much she enjoyed working with them and gave me a bag of CDs for each participant. She also invited them to come to Connecticut in December as her guests to see the light show. Plans are in the works to present an afternoon concert in Greenwich, see the light show and head home. I don’t know how these kids will be able to wait that long!

As singers boarded the bus for home, the warmth of the sun shined on their glowing faces. We all knew this opportunity had been one that would stay with them for a lifetime. Chatter filled the bus all the way home about their day and plans to travel to Connecticut in the future to see and hear the light show. They were special guests of Caroline Jones and had achieved an incredibly high level of artistry today, willing to do anything to make this recording special.

Thank you to Caroline Jones for treating our singers with respect and easing their minds before entering the studio. It was so special for them to perform for her and ChildrenSong will always remember this experience.

ChildrenSong of New Jersey on tour, not an ordinary choir experience…

ChildrenSong choristers meet the Signal Hill Alumni Choir

On a recent tour to Niagara, New York, our singers had CS-engraved wristbands to hand out to new friends as a kind of “swap”.  In the past, we were always the choir to have NOTHING to share with others and our kids were always receiving gifts from other choristers. This time, we had come prepared. All along my vision was to have our singers give these wristbands to the other children participants. I was clueless as to what they were up to, but they kept coming back to me begging for more wristbands to give out.  I thought to myself “wow, they must be trying to give them out to ALL the other kids!”

One night during the tour, we were in concert with an adult choir from Trinidad and Tobago. We were actually housed in the same facility as this group and ate breakfast with them daily. The group was called Signal Hill Alumni Choir directed by John Arnold. There was an immediate connection between our group and theirs. When we performed, we sang a few emotionally-moving songs – City Called Heaven and Stand Together, which showcased our choir’s ability to reach deep within the soul and engage the listener in a truly emotional experience. The Signal Hill Alumni Choir clapped wildly after our performance and our singers were grinning ear to ear.

Now it was time for the Signal Hill Choir to perform. Our choir members were mesmerized by their choreographed movements, tight harmonies, and emotional connection to the music. There was so much enthusiasm and power in their singing,  we didn’t want the concert to end. One particularly memorable moment for me was when they sang a song in their usual Caribbean-style with choreography, but this time, they added fist-pumps within the song. Every time I saw their hands go “up”, there were CHILDRENSONG WRISTBANDS on their wrists. I couldn’t contain myself!! Sitting right there in the front row, I glanced back at my singers and saw them again grinning ear to ear and pointing to their own wrists, giggling softly. I couldn’t believe it. THIS is what they were up to. This was their choice, the choir whom they looked up to and the choir that was chosen to receive wristbands. Wow!  What a lesson I learned that day. Yes, some of them chose to give wristbands to singers their own age, but MOST chose to give them to this choir and wanted to make sure EVERY singer had one.

After the concert, our two choirs shared a few moments, took pictures together and made a pact to get together again and share our music. We felt connected somehow through this musical experience. This I learned: age didn’t matter. It was the shared experience that moved these children and they continue to talk about the Signal Hill choir.

At our Winter Concert, we sang De Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, Caribbean-style. I “skyped” John Arnold for performance practice ideas and the singers created some choreographed movements to go with the song on their own. They still talk about  Signal Hill Alumni Choir and we hope to work with John next year in New Jersey or maybe even take a trip to Trinidad to work with his wonderful choir! Visit Signal Hill Alumni Choir at http://www.signalchoir.org/