For Orchestra!

“Don’t really wanna make it tough, I just wanna tell you that I had enough.”

N’Sync is one of the biggest bands of the late 90′s. And with reason, their music is awesome. Yep, there – I said it. A classical composer claims the greatness that is N’Sync. So when I was thrilled to receive so many requests for ‘Bye Bye Bye’. Here it is:

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[Songs Archive]

Doing dance tracks like Lady Gaga, MGMT, or even The Cure are tons of fun. I’ve been wanting to arrange N’Sync for weeks, and am thrilled how this turned out. The lyrics were different than the other songs. Its a piece about leaving, rather than wanting. And there’s beauty in that, because sometimes leaving creates new beginnings – whether in relationships, careers, or anything.

When arranging NSync, I really wanted to capture the vocal harmonies that you often hear within their songs. As a result, I really enjoyed having the woodwinds and strings harmonize the lines similar to Timberlake’s or Lance Bass’ voice. JC Chasez also performed on BT’s Somnambulist – which I arranged too.

Similar to the original, the arrangement starts with the violins, and I use the horns in or to accent the downbeat of each measure while the flutes perform. The strings build the tension within the ‘Bye Bye Bye’ chorus, and I wrote in pizzicato strings to create the calm before the final chorus.

“Take me on / I’ll be gone in a day or two”

Regarded as one of the most memorable music videos ever, ‘Take on Me’ didn’t just introduce us to new video techniques, but is also one of the most memorable songs of all time. I couldn’t wait to arrange this amazing piece for orchestra, and so here it is:

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[Songs Archive]

This song by Aha is one of only a handful of others I couldn’t wait to do. The video is absolutely gorgeous, and “Take On Me” has lyrics that inspire.

I kept thinking about the words “I’ll be gone in a day or two”, and how this composition, to me, is about wanting something, and going after it. To go through life, it’s important to remember the words “one day we’ll all be dead” – because it’s that mindset that makes you want something, and go after it. Dreams are meant to be chased, and lived. We all have our own purpose in life, and they are things that we should ‘take on’ and fight for them

The thought that things are worth having and chasing after makes sense when you consider that we may all be gone in a day or two. Its the only thing that is constant. The more things change the more they stay the same, because one thing is for certain – that if it scares you, then do it. Because we’re not here forever, and if you’re passionate about something, then it’s worth fighting for.

“It’s a wonderful surprise / To see your shoes and your spirits rise”

This song always makes my spirit rise – Love, Love, Love this song. The arrangement in the original was screaming to be orchestrated. I heard trumpets, violins, flutes, xylophone, timpani, chimes, triangle, and more. This was my #1 song I’ve wanted to do since the first week of ‘For Orchestra’ – and well, here it is:

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[Songs Archive]

The Cure is a band from England who emerged on the scene in the 1980′s (I’m told they’re big in Russia, too. True?). ‘Friday I’m in Love’ was released in 1992 as the single on their album Wish. When a song is fun, well written, and meaningful, then it shines in my orchestrations. When I heard this is my crazy head I imagined wanting it to sound like “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid. I’ve been told that my previous orchestrations were too complex, and that I should simplify them a bit. I agree – there’s power in simplicity, and it shows in this piece.

I love how you can actually ‘pick out’ the instruments part by part. I had the xylophone play a strong role in this piece. Rather than simply playing chords in the background, I have the performer play a verse, sustain notes, create tension through tremolos, arpeggiate entire sections, and more. The flutes and horns play a more dominant role in this piece too – which I thought turned out perfectly. The ‘upbeat’ and ‘rejoice’ vibe was a perfect fit for a bright trumpet section. Brass sections, when written correctly, have the most powerful uplifting feel of any section.

The lyrics “to see your shoes and your spirits rise” mean a lot to me. I think this is what we are all here for. We’re here for each other, to laugh, to help, to make a change in those around us. It’s something we forget about – even when it’s about changing ourselves and making ourselves happy. I was once told to “leave people better than you found them”. As an artist, I am amazed music can make people enjoy and feel, without a single word being spoken. And I hope, that this arrangement leaves you happy. I hope it makes you smile. I hope it makes you dance. What a wonderful surprise that would be for me.

Stay human and surprise someone. Make someone’s spirit rise today. It’s Friday.

OK – this one is short… but its a Theme Song! Well… sort of. SxePhil is one of the most popular channels on Youtube. I thought it’d be fun to do something a little ‘outside’ of the lines, and in traditional fashion of mine – unpredictable. I’ve done Lady Gaga, Rick Astley, Michael Jackson, and even more. But what about theme songs, or Rage Against the Machine, or Kanye West? What about the Philadelphia Eagles chant, or the Keyboard Cat theme? I’ll get to them… give me time

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[Songs Archive]

First I’d like to say that this song meant a lot to me because SxePhil is a cool guy who openly discusses his health issues. Why is this important to me? Well, its important that people remember that every one has their own problems – including me. Hopefully, I have this correct – but Philip Defranco (AKA SxePhil) was diagnosed with PKD, and actually started Youtube’ing due to his grandfather also being diagnosed with it and raise awareness for it. There’s something cool about doing things to help others, and seeing that they were successful at raising awareness. So to you readers – keep your chin up, and carry on.

I like interesting things. I like the orchestra. I like doing interesting songs and ideas WITH the orchestra. So this week was a good introduction to doing something new. The funny thing about arranging a song For Orchestra is that an 11 second song takes JUST as long as a 4 minute song. This is because the orchestration, production, and transcribing is where 90% of the work is from, which you have to do in every song anyway. In addition a 4 minute song usually has Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus. So the result is that once you transcribe the first Verse / Chorus, then you’re already 90% complete – just simply repeat!

In the video you can watch the difference between the original and the new orchestrated version. So check it out! I took the guitar part and gave it to the violin, and the doubled it with the flutes!

Doing new things is always what has inspired me. I constantly try new foods, travel, experiment, meet people, and write interesting music. Its’ what gets me up in the morning. SxePhil was a fun one to do as opposed to say.. the Pokemon Theme Song because I liked the context of this piece and the short duration of it. Not that the Pokemon Theme song would be a bad suggestion…