Before starting a European tour, celebrated gospel singer CeCe Winans recorded a “Tiny Desk” concert at National Public Radio (NPR) offices in Washington, D.C., premiering on June 13, in which a standing-only audience heard Winan’s award-winning hits.
Due to the small performance space, there are rules and a lot of nuances that go into bringing ”Tiny Desk” to life.
“It’s a lot divided into three sections,” said Suraya Mohamed, a three-time Peabody Award-winning producer, sound designer and editor. “There’s pre-production, the day of production, and then the post-production. The biggest thing is that artists obey our rules.”
Along with the NPR staff, there are a few invited audience members. Even though Winans had background singers, it felt like she had a full choir because the crowd knew all the words to her songs.
A Tiny Desk performance usually lasts for no more than 30 minutes, and Winans’ performance included “Alone In His Presence,” “Believe For It,” “Alabaster Box,” “Alright,” “Pray,” “I Am,” and several more songs. In between singing, Winans spread affirming messages, which the audience received with hands raised and nodding heads. The atmosphere was comparable to a midweek worship service.
The performance space for Winans, her singers and her band was in the work area for NPR’s music department among cubicles and desks. There is no elevated stage, only additional lighting, plus video and audio recording equipment. There is also limited amplification for instruments and vocals. That means Winans belted our songs without a microphone. But you could not tell.
“Whew, and that was with no amplification,” said the multi-award-winning singer.
CeCe Winans’ “Tiny Desk” concert airs on YouTube beginning June 13 at youtube.com. Follow CeCe Winans on social media:
IG @cecewinans
FB @official.cece.winans
X (Formerly Twitter) @cecewinans