A Performer, Teacher and Church Musician Walk Into a Bar
And they ordered the same drink.
They all wanted to give their audiences a musical experience that was memorable, unique and intellectually stimulating. Although their desks were filled with never-fail classics, they were all on the hunt for new arrangements that were coherent and interesting, and new encore pieces and versions of familiar songs that could highlight strengths within their ensembles. They raised their glasses to the universal emotional powers of a first-inversion I resolving to the IV, the valued surprise of a well-placed Piccardee third, and all those unexpected moments that bring delight to musicians and audiences alike.
Though the settings may be different, professional musicians who specialize in live performance want music for themselves and those they lead that:
is unique and memorable
is level and audience appropriate
fosters emotional connection
makes musicians storytellers - not just note-deliverers
Sometimes, musicians become composers or arrangers out of necessity: Perhaps you have a unique group of players with varying abilities. Or maybe there’s a need for a setting of a hymn or song to enhance the message of a sermon. Or someone significant in the music world just passed away and your want to play a thoughtful tribute. Or you just came across a student who will soar if given an arrangement that gives them wings.
Arrangements are a fantastic opportunity to connect with audiences.
There is a degree of shared experience with a familiar tune. If you know your audience and know generally what association they will make with a given song, you can play with that expectation in an arrangement. For example, consider the nostalgic connection many folks have to holiday music. Most likely, they have heard these songs since they were children. I, for one, recall clearly my mother’s old record player, stacked from September ‘til January with Andy Williams, Ferrante and Teicher and the Carpenters. Those songs are embedded in my emotional subconscious. When they come out in a new performance, you’ll already “have” me as a listener. Not only that, but I’ll be looking to make a connection between what the song meant to me long ago to what is happening in the new moment right in front of me. The question may or may not be conscious, but it will be there:
How has the world changed since the time the original was new? How have I changed?
These are powerful emotions. When we understand better the emotional needs - and triggers - of our audiences, we will develop a better relationship. Every audience is different, of course. For some, connection comes when everything stays exactly the same. For others, it’s the opposite and the notion of using anything more than once - even a great melody - is not appealing. But for most audiences, there is great value in using arrangements to create new memories within the safety of familiarity.
The need for new high quality performance music is a continual demand of all music professionals. While arrangements may not be the bread and butter of your programming, they can create special moments that benefit the arc of your programmatic storytelling.
I hope you will find something here that draws you in - I have been pouring myself into creating arrangements for myself and clients that they will enjoy for nearly thirty years, and I love it every time. If there’s something you’d like to perform but don’t see the title here, contact me HERE.
Good luck with your programming! Thank you for sharing your musical gifts with the world,