Lessons Three and Four: Composers and Arrangers

Ask students how they would describe the difference between a composer and an arranger. Discuss the role of an arranger. Examine the work of a composer/arranger such as Quincy Jones.

•continue to develop an understanding of how musicians and composers acquire and transform ideas

•relate, compare and evaluate what is being read, heard or viewed (CEL: CCT)

•understand and use organizational structures and arrangements required in music (CEL: C)

Analyse two arrangements and performances of the same piece of music to compare interpretations, styles and arrangements. If teachers have access to the resource Music: Its Role and Importance in Our Lives, they could review the four versions of "Amazing Grace", as arranged by Rob Landes (Chapter 5, pages 86-89, CD3, Tracks 27-30). Students could analyse what Landes did as an arranger to create the feeling of jazz, gospel, classical and pop.

Ask the students to suggest examples of different arrangements of a composition that is familiar to them. Try to find recordings of the suggestions so students can compare them. Many contemporary bands do "covers" or new versions of old tunes. Compare the covers with the earlier recordings. Music enthusiasts in the community could perhaps be of assistance in finding recordings.

Compare various arrangements of Bach's music with those performed by the Swingle Singers, or analyse different arrangements of Lennon and McCartney compositions.

Have students write critiques or concert reviews for two versions of the same piece of music.

For clarification of the roles of composers, transcribers and arrangers, refer to page 120 in the teacher's resource binder for Music: Its Role and Importance in Our Lives