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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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