arranging concepts

7/21/2019 Arranging Concepts

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ArrangingConceptsTips and TechniquesVince Gassi


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Outline

The Process

Example: Code of Honor

Assignment/Discussion


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The Process

Concept

Experiment/Improvise

Create/Develop

Reflect

Revise


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The Process

conscious mind

ideas

motifs

rhythms

The Subconscious Cauldron


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The Process

Concept

Story, Idea, Musical StyleA Chesapeake Bay Adventure

(History of the Chesapeake Bay. Revolutionary Battles,Blackbeard, Underground Railroad, Civil War Naval Battles)

Who am Iwriting for?

Grade Level, Ranges,

Limitations

Form/Roadmap

Melody, Counter M.

Accompaniment

Intro, Transitions, Ending


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Concept

Legends of theYucatan

Exotic, Mysterious

Cape Breton Lullaby

Lyrical

Calm

Stay Cool

Hip, Jazz


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Point of View

La Choraline

choral, slow, richharmony, some

counterpoint

Michael Mitchell

Rhythmic, faster tempo

More pulse

Gassi

Reverent, building inintensity throughout

What do I want to say?

(standard arrangement or new twist)

What can I say?

(limitations of band or project [opening of

school or football game])


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Decisions


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Code of Honor

Stage 1 sketch, top melodies, form

Stage 2 back ground lines, fill out rhythms, harmonies

Stage 3 intros, endings, parts


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Doubling

Oboe w/flutes at pitch or down the octave

Alto sax w/horn (occasionally tenor sax)

Bassoon, BCL, Bari Sax w/Tuba

Instruments small in number need reinforcement

As always, consider ranges


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Guidelines

http://www.alfred.com/img/pdf/BOP/2011BelwinBand.pdf


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Sketch Pad

WWD.

BRASS

PERC.


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Recommended Reading

The Technique of Orchestration - Kent Kennan (Prentice Hall)

Arranging Concepts Complete - Dick Grove (Alfred)

Music Arranging and Orchestration John Cacavas (Belwin Mills)

Arranging for the Concert Band - Frank Erickson (Belwin Mills)

Arranged by Nelson Riddle Nelson Riddle (Alfred) Composers on composing for band - GIA


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Ralph Ford

I strongly consider

Individual parts strive to be linear: Each part like a solo line, flows musically and

logically.

Everyone gets the melody, or at least a motif: This is extremely important for thedeveloping musician.

Cross curricular opportunities are examined carefully: Integrating music into otherschool curricula is a positive way to encourage connections with other academicsubjects.

Provide a musical !hook"to excite the players: Especially with beginners. Strongunison lines that establish a piece and re-occur during the performance seem to engageeven the shyest of students.

Create a piece that provides materials for concept reinforcements, i.e. the !realworld"application of concepts from the method book(s).

Create a piece that is fun to play: music that motivates practice and continuedinvolvement in music.


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What Comprises Music of Artistic Merit?Esteemed conductor and educator Ray Cramer once made a list

that attempts to answer this question.

Does the Music Possess/Contain

A well conceived formal structure?

Creative melodies and counter-lines?

Harmonic imagination?

Rhythmic vitality?

Contrast in all musical elements?

Scoring which best represents the full potential for

beautiful tone and timbre?

An emotional impact?


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arranging concepts

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