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I've never griped about a return before, but I need to express my disappointment about a return that's left me scratching my head. This was a submission for an Orff New Age piece for a Game Audio company. According to the critique the reason the track was not forwarded was the use of "Latin words" for a listing that specifically asked for "NO lyrics." In fact, the piece does not contain a single word in Latin, let alone lyrics.

The chorus I used is from Soundiron's Requiem Light which allows a composer to string together consonant and vowel sounds (not actual words) for a more realistic and natural performance. I originally used only "ah's" in the choral parts, but decided that this sounded very unnatural and synthetic, so I invested in RL specifically to remedy this problem. I was really excited by the result, as I felt that RL made the performance far more realistic and visceral.

It seems a shame to me that this piece was not forwarded as a result of a misinterpretation on the part of the reviewer.

For those interested the piece in question can be heard here:

http://soundcloud.com/vincentrusso/slightly-orff

Vince

Vince,
your music is amazing! Whatever was going on during the review process is
beyond me. Maybe they did not want ANY choir-vocal part at all...who knows.
Don't sweat it too much my friend.
Adonis

Hey Vince,

It's disappointing. One of mine was returned for the same reason. I used nonsense syllables from Requiem as well. But the one using nonsense syllables from EWQL Choirs got through! How about I slip you through the back door if I get a call.

Amazing music, which certainly wouldn't be out of place in a game or film and will undoubtedly be used somewhere down the line. I can only think that the latin title (or psuedo latin, I don't know!) probably set up some kind of auto suggestion in the brain. Eg, they must be singing the title, it's all I can think of! There's an argument as to whether, gregorian chant for instance, elongates the syllables so much that the words cease to have any meaning anyway.

For what it's worth, I think you were hard done by!

I'm with trees on the latin title. The piece itself sounds really nice, I liked it very much.
Vince, you obviously met your goal as far as realism and visceralness, you actually made the screener think the song was being sung in Latin with real words and meanings and not just nonsensical syllables.
Personally, when I listen to choir music I am expecting great profundity, and not so much scatting as in an Ella Fitzgerald tune.

Vince,

No one around here does this with any regularity, but this concern may warrant a call to TAXI.

I've done that a few times over the years. The call may not change the outcome, but at least you'll have the satisfaction of a second look and possibly a clearer understanding of the screener's rational for the return.


Chuck

Hi Vince, it really is unfortunate that this track was not forwarded because I believe it is a great piece of writing!

I've often suggested here on these forums that subjectivity reigns supreme in the decision process of forward or return, despite expertise, its the human condition. Perhaps take the advice given and call Taxi. I've also written my fair share of emails to Robin, the head screener, and as has been suggested, it rarely changes the outcome, yet you will certainly receive an explanation as to your return.

Good luck Vince, I am positive this track will find a worthy home!

Cheers,
Vincent!

That's an amazing piece of work. This will surely find its place somewhere, no doubt. Sorry to hear it was returned this time, though.

Hey Vince. Yes I'd be disappointed too if this was mine and didn't get through. This is excellent. I agree with Chuck in that a call to Taxi is warranted. Good luck.

Derek.

Very fine work.
Just like I wish I would make if I could.
Thanks also for telling some tools you used. The most important you used was of course talent.

About the reason for return:

Maybe they were listening to it backwards!

Seriously -at least partly:
Some people may listen to the music backwards.
This kind of staccato choir singing will for me forever be tied to dark forces; daemons, satan worship and occult sacrifice because I have heard it in that kind of movies. People may listen to hidden messages from the lord of darkness or daemons by listening to the track played backwards. Crazy people may be commanded to do their terrible actions through this sort of things. Then it better with 'ah ah ah ah' and no syllables. The issue reminds me of a front page for a festival pamphlet being stopped because it had inscriptions looking like rune inscriptions( for decorative purposes only, but occult sects and nazis also use those)