OK folks, here is the letter for the meeting tomorrow!
Outline/notes for the Michael Jackson “Behind the Mask” Tribute Concert
• Ideally 20-30 minutes, room for 5-6 songs at least.
• “Behind the Mask” = songs that truly reflect what Michael was about, ones that carry his message, his soul.
• Rehearsals start in February, lengthy consideration list, condensing songs down by rehearsing and seeing which songs feel right.
• Some songs i.e. “Billie Jean” could have live instrumentation but with pre-recorded voice? Give more dancing freedom.
• For songs without choreography, create steps which feel like what MJ would do, base off of other choreographed numbers.
• When possible, use live versions of songs as opposed to studio versions.
• Use DS2/DS3 for initial rehearsals, break/lunch time. One month until event, start using Main Hall, with lighting and full rehearsals.
• Have camcorders around Main Hall to professionally record it. Use own camcorder for rehearsals.
• Have to feel MJ in the song to fully dance to it, reasoning behind whole concert concept.
• If right, create mash-up of 2-3 songs of they carry similar theme or feel right i.e. “Ghosts” & “Threatened”, “Smooth Criminal” & “Dangerous”, “Steeetwalker” & “The Way You Make Me Feel”.
Songs for consideration (From MJJC, myself and from people at school):
- "They Don't Care About Us" ("This Is It" version with "Drill")
- "Dangerous" (Live version)
- "Threatened"
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Live version)
- "Man in the Mirror"
- "We Are to Heal the World" ("We Are the World/Heal the World" mash-up)(Or one of two)
- "HIStory"
- "Jam" (Live "Dangerous World Tour" version)
- "Jackson 5 Medley"
- "Billie Jean" (Live "Dangerous World Tour" version)
- "Smooth Criminal" ("This Is It" version)
- “Streetwalker”
- “The Way You Make Me Feel” (Slow intro)
- “Scream” (Live “HIStory World Tour” version)
- “Ghosts”
- “Who Is It”
- “Blood on the Dance Floor” (Live version)
- “2 Bad”
- “Thriller”
- “Behind the Mask”
- “Monkey Business”
- “Beat It”
- “Slave To the Rhythm”
- “Hollywood Tonight”
To Whom It May Concern:
For the purposes of the meeting, please find attached my notes on the Michael Jackson “Behind the Mask” tribute concert. It also has a “rehearsal list” of songs that I will rehearse one or two times to get a feel of the song and see if I wish to perform it more. This list will be sure to grow more as the beginning of February approaches, as I will always have more ideas of songs to perform.
Throughout the next couple of months, I will record myself rehearsing these songs and the decisions I make on them as video evidence that I have been rehearsing. These recordings can be seen by the people involved in the planning of the Leavers’ Celebration for purposes of monitoring my progress at request, however I must ask for discretion about this project. Should this project be given the green light, I must ask if I can have recording equipment ready for the main event for a professionally recorded performance, as a memento of the event.
I am the only person actively involved in the project, i.e. dancing on stage; any other people assisting me will purely be during the rehearsal period and behind the scenes personnel. Closer to the event, I must also request that I talk to people that can operate the lighting in the Main Hall for the event. All music shall be provided by myself, from official CDs to audio from live performances, or “live studio songs” which means live audio that has any crowd noises removed. I will not attempt to sing at all during the songs, unless the singing in question is ad-libs in the final chorus.
If you have any further questions, please find me or send a message to my form tutor Mr. #######, who will relay it to me.
Yours sincerely,
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