Workshop with Peder Karlsson

Posted by Kimberly Hodges on January 27, 2010

On January 22, 2010, we had the privilege of working with Peder Karlsson (The Real Group) in a webcam workshop via Skype. We were one of the groups helping to test this format. Lucky for us, we had read the other reports and had learned what worked for them. Our technical set up worked beautifully and we were able to proceed as if Peder were right there in the room with us! Technical details below.

From the very beginning, Peder put us at ease. Not that we were nervous or anything—I mean, it’s not like he’s in the world’s best a cappella group … oh, wait. We got to work with PEDER KARLSSON! We’re talking celebrity status here. But like I said, he was so warm and friendly that we were able to connect immediately.

To begin, Peder asked us our goals for the group. This, I believe, gave him a better idea of where we are currently as a group and where we see ourselves in the future.

Building on that foundation he began addressing the 4-5 topics that we had chosen from the list of suggestions he had given us prior to the session. With a few simple exercises focusing on listening for tempo, dynamics and timbre, he helped us naturally and significantly improve our intonation and phrasing issues. We plan to use this very full “toolbox of resources” to improve our entire repertoire!

Another thing Peder encouraged each of us to do was to take turns leading. Whether it was counting off or changing the dynamics or whatever, we each took ownership for that part of the session. He mentioned that the members of TRG take turns directing their rehearsals. We plan on following their example as it demands that we share the rehearsal planning responsibility, and ensures that at least one out of five rehearsals will go perfectly.

We asked to sing one of our originals, and Peder graciously indulged us. Not only that, but he also gave his opinion and critique of the song.

Peder is an active listener and was able to pick up on things that we, because we were singing, were not able to hear. He gave us very practical criticism in an amazingly positive and encouraging way. What a gift! He was also very complimentary, but in an extremely true sense. Nothing felt fake or insincere, but always thoughtful and genuine.

Thanks so much to Peder for sharing his expertise and time. It was truly an honor!

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Technical Setup:

* We met in a small room with a projector hanging from the ceiling and a screen on the wall.
* Computer: 15″ Macbook Pro (late 2008 model), Mac OS X 10.6.2 and Skype, plugged into the wired network, connected to the projector with a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adaptor and a VGA cable.
* Video: We set up the computer on a lectern at the bottom center of the projector screen and used the built-in iSight camera. We stood about eight feet away.
* Audio input: Five wireless Audio-Technica microphones into Yamaha MG166CX mixer, out Aux 2 into a Griffin iMic USB audio interface, then into the computer.
* Audio output (to hear Peder): Desktop speakers plugged into the computer. (We also used our Sennheiser in-ear monitors to hear ourselves.)

This setup worked great for us, but if we were to do it again, we might feed Peder’s voice into our in-ear monitors instead of using the desktop speakers, just to avoid any potential feedback issues.