Recordings 4 Choirs are taking bookings for Choirs looking to Record a Christmas CD in 2019 or early 2020.
When I was at school, some few years ago, my then Choirmaster and Head of Music used to tell us that he often sat on a beach in Venice during the summer holidays planning the school Christmas Carol Service. Initially you might think this a little strange or perhaps being a little too organised. But actually it’s quite sensible. The same applies to choirs. Realistically if you are in a choir of any sort Christmas actually starts towards the end of November.
When is Christmas?
As I write, I have just received 2 invitations for my choirs to attend Christmas events, the earliest of which is a Christmas light switch on in Marlborough on 22 November. From that point on my choirs are all booked for events and concerts every weekend throughout December leading up to Christmas Day. In a nutshell then, if you are in a choir, Christmas starts anytime from about mid November onwards.
As a result of this, most choirs start preparing for Christmas when they return from their Summer breaks at the beginning of September. There is of course a balance of starting on Christmas music too early whilst ensuring you are prepared in good time for your Christmas events. In addition lots of choirs probably also have a number of non christmas events during the autumn which also need to be prepared for.
How to fit in a recording?
With all this going on you might wonder how a choir could possibly fit in a recording at this time of year? Nevertheless you’d be surprised just how busy we are over the next few months.
When it comes to recording a Christmas album with your choir there are two options:
Option 1 – Record in time to sell at Christmas
Whilst it’s true to say that a Christmas CD, by definition, has a fairly short selling period, most choirs are very busy during Christmas and so having a CD to sell at concerts can be a real money spinner. CDs make excellent presents and sell very easily at concerts. In order to have your CD ready by December you will ideally need to record early to mid November at the latest. Of course it depends when your Christmas event is. Provided you allow 2-3 weeks between the recording date and the time you need the CDs then we should have plenty of time.
Option 2 – Record in the New year ready for next Christmas
Another popular time to record a Christmas CD with choirs is in January or February. There is a lot of logic in this provided you can wait a while to sell your CDs. In January most choirs are fairly quiet in terms of concerts and events, and the Christmas repertoire should still be fresh from several performances during December. It would therefore not require much preparation to be ready for a recording session.
To get around the 11 month wait in order to sell the CDs, a lot of choirs take pre orders at their Christmas events as well as from choir members. Mostly this will cover the cost of the recording and then everything you sell at the following Christmas is pure profit for your choir.
Fundraising for your Choir
Selling a CD, whether it’s a Christmas one or otherwise, is a great fundraising opportunity for your choir. Our business model has been designed from an understanding of how choirs work and will enable you to make a nice profit from CD sales. Our CD pricing is all inclusive of recording, post production, CD artwork and manufacture. Most choirs will generate an income of £2000 or more from CD sales. You can find our current pricing online here.
Find out more
If you would like to find out just how easy it is to record a CD or digital album with your choir then please get in touch.
Telephone – 01225 302143
Email – Contact Form