Arranging a 4-part Chorale

1
Arranging a 4-part Chorale

• For Middle School String Orchestra
• Using Finale Notepad

2
What is it?

• Much like a transcription, an arrangement is
  merely a re-arranging of a previously printed
  piece.
• An arrangement retains much of its original
  material, but may be performed by a different
  group of instruments or voices.

3
Listen to these arrangements

• The Art of Fugue, BWV1080 - J.S. Bach
• Organ
• String Quartet
• Brass Quintet
• What do you like/dislike about each arrangement?
• What was similar/different about each?

4
A More Up-to-date Example

• How Sweet it is (to be Loved by You)
• Marvin Gaye
• Michael McDonald
• Michael Buble
• What do you like or dislike about these three?
• What did you hear different in each one?

5
How do I do this?

1. Open Finale Notepad
2. In the title field, type Nearer my God
3. Under Composer, type arr. Yourname
4. Select your instruments Violin, Violin II, Cello
   and Bass
5. Select the proper key and time signature.

6
Then What?

• Using your printout of the hymn, begin to
  transfer the notes onto different instrument
  parts.
• A good way to start is to transfer the voice
  parts to appropriate instruments
• Soprano Violin I
• Alto Violin II
• Tenor Cello
• Bass Contrabass

In case you are not sure, the voices are
separated by the direction in which the stems
point (ex soprano - stems up, alto - stems down).
7
Im finished, now what?

1. Using the key signature tool, change the key of
   the piece into a more familiar key. (G,D, A)
2. Using the Instrument Range Worksheet, make sure
   that all of the notes are within the range of the
   instruments (Edit)

• Add Dynamic, articulation and expressive markings
• Slurs, bowings, dynamics, phrase markings
• Make Sure to Save your Work!

8
The End?

• Once you are finished and have saved your work,
  have another student review your work.
• Do the ranges work?
• Does it sound right?
• Are there proper markings?
• Print the parts, and Play the piece!