Hello! My Name is Jordan Robinson, and I am an alum of Mt. Eden High School’s Show Choirs in Hayward, CA. I am a music arranger and composer for the local show choirs, and am currently looking to share my talents with other choirs and music groups! I started arranging for show choir a few years ago and fell in love with it. My music experience comes from as early as six years old in my local church choir. I have been engulfed with music ever since I was born, and also have extensive years of experience in music production. With my skills on your team, we can make some magic!
1. Please describe your basic setup. (Your technical setup as well as the physical space that you work in.)
I write all my music in my college dorm. I have a computer that I built myself paired with an AT-2020 microphone and a Presonus faderport. It’s not much but it gets the work done!
2. What is your process for brainstorming or inspiration-seeking as you start a new arrangement?
Whenever I get a request I usually do some back research on the songs and show concept and pull some leitmotifs from those concepts. Afterwards I look into the base layout of the song: where the soft parts land, where the dance breaks are, and so forth. Depending on how much time I get to write is how long I usually spend on brainstorming. Can be as quick as a few hours or it might take a couple weeks to get a clear vision.
3. What is your go-to snack and/or drink when arranging?
For legal purposes, I don’t have adult drinks with me while I write . But a favorite snack would definitely be some pineapple or carrots
4. What is one thing you wish you would have known when you started arranging?
Well I am still starting out, but I wish I would’ve done more research on instrumentation and how certain instruments actually work. That was my biggest struggle when I was creating demos for my website and I never really took the time to research that untill now.
5. What is your favorite shortcut or time-saving trick in your notation software?
Honestly I can’t believe I just learned that the repeat measures on specific bars feature was on MuseScore, I would continue to write out the same drum and bass lines for measures on end . Glad I finally figured it out, saves so much time!
6. What is a favorite arrangement of yours?
I have a couple favorites of mine. One that I wrote for the 2022 season is from Carlsbad’s Purple Reign show choir dubbed ‘Chuck E. Cheese’. It’s a Medley of Join Us For A Bite by JT Music, Lester’s Possum Pals from A Goofy Movie, and Country Bear Jamboree from Disneyland. Not only was it a joy to write but I was able to go into instrumentation territory I haven’t yet gone into yet. I will have this song on my website for preview by mid-May! My other favorite song is from my demo show choir set dubbed ‘The Fall Of Medusa’. This song is the closer of this set, entitled Stone. It’s an arrangement of Gold by Imagine Dragons, and it really brings out the pain and anguish of Medusa while also showing the rage of the people around her. It’s a great listen. If you are interested in that show or if you’d like me to write a custom show for your group next year, feel free to contact me!
7. How can people get ahold of you?
My website is www.jordanrobinsonmusic.squarespace.com and my email is jordanrobinsonmusic@gmail.com. I strive to bring your choirs high quality music at a very affordable price. Get in touch with me, and lets make some magic!
