Tips & Tricks For Coordinating Sangeet Performances Long Distance!

Yep, can be a task when you have yours, your sister's or your bestie's wedding coming up, and everyone is in different corners of the Earth! Coordinating Sangeet practices long distances can be quite a task, and could end up in a very very messed up performance on the final day! So here are some tips and tricks to make sure everything goes on seamlessly and your Sangeet performance is not a disaster, but in fact, something everyone remembers!

Image via Akshita & Dhruv (Goa)

Decide: Who's taking care of the performances?

Is it going to be you coordinating everything, your sister, your brother or your bestie? One person needs to be clear on everything- every performance and everyone involved, and that person should be taking care of all the 'administrative' stuff! And yes, start all this about 2 months before the wedding, so you can keep the excitement alive! 

Make a list of everyone you want to involve and ping them individually

So the first step should be to make a list of all the people you want or think would want to dance at the wedding- could be siblings,  friends, cousins or just about any aunty or uncle! Ping them individually and ask them whether they would want to dance at the wedding- it's only fair you ask.. not everyone is keen to dance at a wedding on stage!

Make a Whatsapp Group

After you've finalised all the people who'd want to participate in the performances, make a Whatsapp group and add only the people who are ready to do it at the wedding! Give the group a catchy title and start brain-storming! What songs, which performances and what kind of dance! Figure out who are the people who actually want to get involved in this process and who's OK with just going along with anything you guys decide!

Ask everyone to find choreographed YouTube videos and share

Now is the time when everyone can share videos of choreographed songs from YouTube- this is important since it can be very easy for everyone to learn from! Or if one of you is an excellent dancer, personalised videos are always welcome! Here are some videos to get you started!

Have a group Skype or video call to decide on the performance

Now have a group video call with the decision makers. Figure out the songs and the kind of choreography you guys want to go ahead with it. We'd recommend not keeping a very complex performance- something happy and easy! 

Share the final list of videos you're going ahead with

Now is the time when you send a finalised list of all the performances you're going ahead with. Taking a little bit from loads of videos? Then make the effort to edit a video with those bits and share that- so people know exactly what to practice and what the final steps are!

Props or no props?

Want everyone to sport dupattas, sunglasses or some other prop? Either arrange for them or ask everyone to carry it! But keep them ready! Even one person without it is going to look odd!

Keep checking in once in a while and keeping the excitement alive!

So just 'cz you shared the videos and expect everyone to learn the steps doesn't mean that everyone will. People have packed schedules and making the time for learning the steps might be hard. So keep the motivation going in some way or the other- just check in once in a while and make sure everyone realises you care!

Edit and keep the audio track ready

Yes, you need to have it ready so it's ready to play when required! Just the audio mixed without the video!

Have a few practices before the big day!

So once everyone comes in, have a few performance practices before the big day to improve your coordination. Ask who's not very comfortable or didn't bother to practice and place them behind in the group- keep the good dancers and those who know the steps in front so it's easier for them to see and dance. Also, if possible, arrange for a screen to show the YouTube videos while everyone practices so they're comfortable! 

And finally, just relax and have a good time!

Of course, no one wants to put up a shabby performance, but don't micromanage it, and just make sure it's decent enough if not perfect! Let your hair down and have a good time and make sure everyone else does too!

ALSO READ: New Sangeet Performance Ideas For Your 2018 Wedding!