Every student has musical potential. For a student to best realize that potential it helps to have an instructor that is qualified with the requisite knowledge in that field, who will consistently arrive on time and prepared to teach that student. This instructor must teach quality content every lesson and ultimately ensure that the student knows that they are loved.
1. Please describe your basic setup. (Your technical setup as well as the physical space that you work in.)
Sibelius on a Surface Pro with noise cancelling headphones. Any comfortable space available, but usually a work study at home with a nice view outside.
2. What is your process for brainstorming or inspiration-seeking as you start a new arrangement?
I start with choir strengths , show theme and direction and get as much information as possible! Soloists, purpose of this song in the show, which voices can lead, etc. Then branch off into do we want emphasis on dance, humorous lyrics, etc.?
3. What is your go-to snack and/or drink when arranging?
Only water. All the more reason to get up and take a break!
4. What is one thing you wish you would have known when you started arranging?
That simply doing Verse 2 or repeating a Chorus can be wasted time in a show choir show – IF we aren’t doing something new or different with them. Otherwise, cut them and move on!
5. What is your favorite shortcut or time-saving trick in your notation software?
Control Z saves all my oopses. Cut/Paste is good, but can be a little tempting on arrangements for big bands to copy too much, and that puts too many notes in the same frequencies.
6. What is a favorite arrangement of yours?
Covid year- Winfield HS performed my Pentetonix-esque “House of The Rising Sun”.
