MGMT ‘Kids’ For Orchestra #15






“Control Yourself / Take only what you need from it.”

When I arrange songs for orchestra I tend to center in on one line throughout the song. Even when I arranged Radiohead I loved the line “Can’t take it with you”. I’ve done a lot of bigger named artists and received a lot of press – and so now I would like to mix it up a bit with a killer band from Brooklyn! Also, the video is amazing, so I put my arrangement to it.

The lyrics “Control Yourself / Take only what you need from it” meant a lot to me, but not because of the context of the song. Rather, I think its a great cry from myself out to people I’ve met in my life. I’ve been taken advantage of and disappointed at times in my life – and I imagine myself saying “take what you need from me”.

MGMT ‘Kids‘ was at the request of Kelly Sutton from Hack College. He mentioned to me about this song, and it slowly grew on me. Unsure how it would sound for orchestra, I was anxious to see if I could pull it off. So I had the basses and cellos play the synth bass line, and maintained the strong drum beat throughout the composition. In addition, I shortened the interlude, because that wouldn’t have translated well with a 90 piece orchestra. The vocals were carried mainly by the violins, which were doubled by the flutes and clarinets when appropriate and to give it variation.

Everything turned out how I heard it in my head, but then I came to a problem – what should I do with that FAST synth line before the last chorus?! A violin section can’t play THAT fast. So I did a ‘FOR ORCHESTRA’ first – introduced the Xylophone. This added another dimension to the arrangement, was possible to play, and sounded much more fluid.

The harp player punctuates these lyrics in the last chorus, and creates a crashing crescendo and tension throughout the piece. I always like how something so beautiful can create an effect so powerful. Perhaps that’s why it’s powerful – because you don’t expect it. Then I have the flute play a single note by itself to conclude the composition.


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By WaltRibeiro on Sep - 27 - 2009 -- Categories: Covers, Songs     121 COMMENTS
  • http://sophos-realm.blogspot.com Sophos

    nice piece man.

  • http://sophos-realm.blogspot.com Sophos

    nice piece man.

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/4430791203 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/kmaverick/statuses/4430879910 kmaverick (Kristin Maverick)

    RT @WaltRibeiro: MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs -Brilliant yet again Walt!

  • http://twitter.com/ForOrchestra/statuses/4430876305 ForOrchestra (ForOrchestra)

    For Orchestra #15 MGMT ‘Kids’ #ForOrchestra http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/ForOrchestra/statuses/4430910615 ForOrchestra (ForOrchestra)

    @caroline815 Thanks for your MGMT help! Glad to connect :) Here’s my piece I mentioned http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/4430921034 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @caroline815 Thanks for your MGMT help! Glad to connect :) Here’s my piece I mentioned http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/BCMeetUp/statuses/4431902553 BCMeetUp (George Haines)

    RT @WaltRibeiro: MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/TheSameOldSong/statuses/4432624988 TheSameOldSong (The Same Old S

    RT: MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs (via @WaltRibeiro) — This is superb! Just bought it. Thanks Walt!

  • http://twitter.com/caroline815/statuses/4434180871 caroline815 (Caroline Leopold)

    Back from MGMT and, wow, it was great. So in honor of night check out @WaltRibeiro‘s lush orchestral version of Kids – http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/dustineichler/statuses/4435475874 dustineichler (Dustin)

    For Orchestra #15: MGMT ‘Kids’ http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/4475451446 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @danzarrella Tweetbacks problem. Theme iNove 1.4.5 using WP 2.8.4. Notice 10 Comments (9 are Tweets not showing) Help? http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/SQuinn36/statuses/5050589955 SQuinn36 (Shaunessy)

    RT @WaltRibeiro MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/SQuinn36/statuses/5050589955 SQuinn36 (Shaunessy)

    RT @WaltRibeiro MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/patricksteadman/statuses/5050619916 patricksteadman (patricksteadm

    RT @SQuinn36: RT @WaltRibeiro MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/patricksteadman/statuses/5050619916 patricksteadman (patricksteadm

    RT @SQuinn36: RT @WaltRibeiro MGMT ‘Kids’ FOR ORCHESTRA! http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • Bassoon Girl 101

    Great peice! Do you know where i can find the actual pieces for it??

  • Bassoon Girl 101

    Great peice! Do you know where i can find the actual pieces for it??

  • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

    When you say pieces, do you mean Sheet Music? if so… then hold tight – I’m working on it as fast as possible :)

  • http://www.fororchestra.com Walt Ribeiro

    When you say pieces, do you mean Sheet Music? if so… then hold tight – I’m working on it as fast as possible :)

  • Gunnar Ballard

    This peive was amazing I was wondering if I could get the sheet music for it.

  • Gunnar Ballard

    This peive was amazing I was wondering if I could get the sheet music for it.

  • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

    Working on it Gunnar!

  • http://www.fororchestra.com Walt Ribeiro

    Working on it Gunnar!

  • Martin

    I like this song…It’s my favorite song by mgmt.I was wondering if i can get the sheet music for violin?Where can i get it or can you give it to me?

  • Martin

    I like this song…It’s my favorite song by mgmt.I was wondering if i can get the sheet music for violin?Where can i get it or can you give it to me?

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  • http://twitter.com/ohbettinadear/statuses/8563449686 ohbettinadear (B)

    LOVE. RT @leebroadway: MGMT arranged for an orchestra – this pretty much rules. http://bit.ly/IU6Qs #ForOrchestra

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339669784 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @aspberg I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339666064 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @kliqbranded I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339660380 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @PalmerPhillips Phil, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339676016 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @davidgillespie David, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339708623 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @Silveira_s I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339703912 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @Mafff_g I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339698339 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @gracie_fails I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339690470 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @MarcoGuerreiro Marco, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339684285 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @kokoroy Koko, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339756102 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @byronclaw Byron, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339746236 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @ohsolusciousx I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339740102 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @Recon0212 I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339732010 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @bryan_sousa Bryan, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339720780 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @Brookeann13 Brooke, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339802442 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @nickxt Nick, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339788327 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @gigi655 @bobatl I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you two might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339788327 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @gigi655 @bobatl I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you two might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339763859 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @NicoleSenoski Nicole, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9339763859 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @NicoleSenoski Nicole, I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/aspberg/statuses/9340118087 aspberg (Mark)

    Ha! MGMT nu ook in orkest vorm. RT @WaltRibeiro: @aspberg I arranged MGMT for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs #aspmusic

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9350621974 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @igortizz Hi Igor, I saw you liked MGMT. I arranged them for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9350928172 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @igortizz its my music I arranged MGMT Kids for Orchestra http://fororchestra.com/2009/09/27/for-orchestra-15-mgmt-kids/

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9736536849 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @JamsCotton Hi James, I saw you liked MGMT. I arranged them for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9736529889 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @thanks2music Hi Elec, I saw you liked MGMT. I arranged them for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs #lastfm

  • http://twitter.com/waltribeiro/statuses/9736529889 waltribeiro (Walt Ribeiro ♫ ♫)

    @thanks2music Hi Elec, I saw you liked MGMT. I arranged them for orchestra – you might dig it http://bit.ly/IU6Qs #lastfm

  • http://twitter.com/apetrigs/statuses/10170376808 apetrigs (Amanda Petriglia)

    To start your week off on the right foot: MGMT – Kids…for orchestra. By @WaltRibeiro. http://bit.ly/IU6Qs #musicmonday

  • http://twitter.com/jonlim/statuses/10170467599 jonlim (Jonathan Lim)

    Sick. RT @apetrigs: To start your week off on the right foot: MGMT – Kids…for orchestra. By @WaltRibeiro. http://bit.ly/IU6Qs #musicmonday

  • caitlin

    The original mgmt recording of this song made me cry but your arrangement gave me chills. excellent composition …makes me wish I played an instrument :)

  • caitlin

    The original mgmt recording of this song made me cry but your arrangement gave me chills. excellent composition …makes me wish I played an instrument :)

  • caitlin

    The original mgmt recording of this song made me cry but your arrangement gave me chills. excellent composition …makes me wish I played an instrument :)

  • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

    @caitlin

    Really? Thanks! Have you checked out MGMT’s new album?

  • http://www.fororchestra.com Walt Ribeiro

    @caitlin

    Really? Thanks! Have you checked out MGMT’s new album?

  • EmilyRebecca

    This is AMAZING. Is there any possible way to buy sheet music for it?

  • EmilyRebecca

    This is AMAZING. Is there any possible way to buy sheet music for it?

  • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

    Working on it! Email me walt@fororchestra.com

  • Abby Fisher

    I love all of your arrangements! I discovered your music today when this song came of 8tracks. After listening to this I’d really love to hear what you can do with Sleepyhead by Passion Pit.

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Ohhh good call. Glad you like my work Abby!!!!! How are you?!

      • Abby Fisher

        I’m great! Thanks for asking and replying!

  • Abby Fisher

    I love all of your arrangements! I discovered your music today when this song came of 8tracks. After listening to this I’d really love to hear what you can do with Sleepyhead by Passion Pit.

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Ohhh good call. Glad you like my work Abby!!!!! How are you?!

      • Abby Fisher

        I’m great! Thanks for asking and replying!

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  • http://twitter.com/NoodlePie_ L

    This literally gave me the chills. Such an amazing arrangement, and so uplifting!! Like Abby, I would really love to hear what you could do with Passion Pits ‘Sleepyhead’.
    Thanks for sharing this with us!

  • http://twitter.com/NoodlePie_ L

    This literally gave me the chills. Such an amazing arrangement, and so uplifting!! Like Abby, I would really love to hear what you could do with Passion Pits ‘Sleepyhead’.
    Thanks for sharing this with us!

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  • Nicole

    @WaltRibeiro, i dont know if you have already

    Received a comment from us like this but, our orchestra at school is REALLY keen to play this song next year. Do you
    have sheet music that we could pretty pretty please use? Or if not, do
    you know how we’d go about getting it? Thanks heaps! :)

    • http://www.fororchestra.com WaltRibeiro

      Hi Nicole! Email me please walt@fororchestra.com

      • Nicole

        will do now

  • NC

    Hello, I don’t know if you’ve received my email or not, but I would really like to play this in my local symphony orchestra. Do you have the score for this still available?