1. Cornerstone 4
Performing Ensembles
Arranging

2. Day 1
Objective:
Student will choose a song of interest that has a distinct verse and chorus in order to analyze the piece to confirm the formal structure and style in which it is written.

3. 1 2 3 Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Materials Needed 1
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player 2
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home) 3
Worksheet

4. Agenda 1
Select a song 2
Bring in or find a recording (MP3, CD, Youtube) 3
Identify the genre of music 4
Identify the form (AABA, ABA, etc.) 5
Identify the number of measures needed for your Verse & Chorus

5. C = 3rd Section (Optional)
Work Period
Fill out your WorkSheet:
Choose your song
Listen to your MP3, CD or find your song on YouTube
Identify the form
A = Verse
B = Chorus
C = 3rd Section (Optional)
Count along with your recording the number of measures for your verse and chorus

6. Day 2
Objective:
Student will listen to their musical selection in order to identify Band Instruments or Voices that will best compliment their new arrangement based on stylistic characteristics and mood of the song they chose.

7. 1 2 3 Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Materials Needed 1
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player 2
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home) 3
Worksheet
Click on sample text and replace with your text

8. Agenda 1
Identify the Instruments/Voices you want to use for the following parts in your arrangement.
-Melody
-CounterMelodies (Harmony lines)
-Rhythmic lines (i.e Drum beats)
Click on sample text and replace with your text
-Foundation (Bass lines)

9. Day 3-5
Objective:
Student will finalize their instrument/voice parts, choose a key, and listen to their recordings in order to begin writing out the melody in the verse.

10. 1 2 3 4 5 Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Materials Needed 1
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player 2
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home) 3
Worksheet 4
Staff Paper 5
Keyboard/Piano

11. 1 2 3 4 Finalize instrument / voice choices
Agenda 1
Finalize instrument / voice choices 2
Choose a Key (1. new key or 2. original key of the song) 3
Use Band Instruments, Sing, and/or Keyboard/Piano to figure out the melody for the VERSE. 4
Notate drafts of the verse on staff paper (use correct instrument range and transposition Instrument/voice chosen)

12. Work Period Finalize your choices
Find the tonal center, Tonic (Teacher confirmation required), then the scale.
Use instruments/voice to transcribe the verse to staff paper.
Transcribe verse to staff paper.
(Teacher confirmation required for submission drafts of verses)

13. Day 6-7
Objective:
Student will listen to their recordings in order to begin transcribing the melody for the Chorus.

14. 1 2 3 4 5 Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Materials Needed 1
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player 2
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home) 3
Worksheet 4
Staff Paper 5
Keyboard/Piano

15. Agenda 1
Use Band Instruments, Sing, and/or Keyboard/Piano to figure out the melody for the CHORUS. 2
Notate drafts of the chorus on staff paper (use correct instrument range and transposition Instrument/voice chosen)

16. Work Period
Use instruments/voice to transcribe the chorus to staff paper.
(Teacher confirmation required for submission drafts of verses)

17. Day 8-10
Objective:
Student will begin harmonizing the melody and creating countermelodies in order to add dimension to the piece and create the mood.

18. 1 2 3 4 5 Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Materials Needed 1
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player 2
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home) 3
Circle of 5ths & Chord Progressions 4
Worksheets & Staff Paper 5
Keyboard/Piano

19. Agenda 1
Identify the Roman Numeral Chords for the melody in the verse and the chorus 2
Create a Chart identifying the triad for each Chord (i.e. I, IV, V) 3
Begin creating 2 to 3 part harmony of the Verse and the Chorus using the notes of the chord and following the melody (Students will create harmony using same rhythms as the verse or can create counter melodies.)

20. Work Period Begin identifying the Roman Numerals for Chords
Create a chord chart based on the key of the song for Major or Minor.
Harmonize and create a bass line for your melody.

21. Day 11 (Optional)
Finalize work get feedback from teacher and revise.
Brainstorm rhythmic accompaniments or use basic drum beats.

22. Day 12-14
Objective:
Student will create their rhythmic accompaniment using Finale (or other) in order to begin adding ones Melody, Harmonies, and Bass line.

23. 1 2 3 4 Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Materials Needed 1
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player 2
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home) 3
Flash or USB Drive 4
Worksheets & Staff Paper

24. 1 2 3 Agenda Explore Finale (or other) after teacher demonstration
Transfer music notation from their arranging drafts on staff paper to computer.
(Students may download finale notepad for free at home) 3
Save work frequently to student flash/usb drives.

25. Work Period
-Save Finale document and MP3 or WAV file. Print Paper arrangement.
-Convert arrangments to MP3 for student copies.

26. Day 15
Objective:
Student will present original songs and their arrangements to class in order to demonstrate how they executed their vision as an arranger.

27. Materials Needed 1
Laptop 2
Projector 3
Flash or USB Drive 4
Speakers

28. Extension
Students may continue to work on their arrangements and arrange the entire song. This will involve changing their form slightly to include other sections C & D. Basic Song Form is AABA or ABA