POP MUSIC
ARRANGEMENTS
I have been asked, of late, to create arrangements of popular music for choir. Some are for voice and piano only, but increasingly, I am being asked for orchestral-string versions, suitable for student-level performance, as well.
Please ensure that you secure a "License/Permission to Arrange" from the appropriate publisher for non Public Domain works before requesting an arrangement. If you need help in this regard, please ask. It's not as scary as it sounds!
POPULAR MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS
The intention of these arrangements is to create a sub-genre that retains the choral feel, but are still clearly derived and honour the musical source material. To render these arrangements then, ideally, one might employ string sections in a 6.5.4.4.3 configuration balanced with approximately 60-80 singers. Within this sub-set of arrangements, I have attempted to be conscious of the possibility of a string quartet (which requires a different approach to scoring), and I have also tried to keep any woodwinds or horns or percussion to a minimum. As such, this were conceived for specific events and performers, but they can all be adapted for other scenarios.
Hands (SA - English)
Jewel Kilcher & Patrick Leonard : EMI April Music
Violin, Piano (1.1)
Performed: St. Michael's Choir School Junior Choir, 27 May 2022
St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica, Toronto, ON
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Let It Go (SSAA - English)
Kristin Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez : Wonderland Music
Synthesizer, Piano (1.1)
Performed: Young Voices Toronto, 10 December 2016
Runnymede United Church, Toronto, ON
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Quittez, Pasteurs (SA - French)
Traditional French Carol : Public Domain
Flute, Piano (1.1)
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Thank You for the Music (SSAB - English)
Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus : Universal Music Publishing
Bass Guitar, Piano (1.1)
Violin(s), Viola, Cello, Contrabass
Performed: CISMF Massed Choir and Orchestra - Finale, 15 April 2023
Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, ON
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The Christmas Song (SA - English)
Mel Tormé & Bob Wells : Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Piano
Violin(s), Viola, Cello
Performed: Toronto Children's Chorus, 17 December 2022
Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, ON
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True Colors (SSATB - English)
Tom Kelly & Billy Steinberg : Hal Leonard Music
Glockenspiel, Marimba, Bass Guitar, Piano (3.1.1.1)
Violin(s), Viola, Cello, Contrabass
Performed: Young Voices Toronto, 2020
Online Virtual Performance Video, Toronto, ON
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What the World Needs Now (SSAATB - English)
Hal David & Burt Bacharach : Primary Wave Music Publishing
Flute, Glockenspiel, Piano (1.1.1)
Violin(s), Viola, Cello, Contrabass
Performed: Oakville Choir for Children & Youth, 13 May 2023
St. John's United Church, Oakville, ON
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