Arranging and Composing September 26, 2020
The first one, was in college. Requirement, for a class. Marching band arrangement. “Get Back.” Inspired. I wrote it fast. The McNeese Band, performed it. That, was very thrilling. Never considered, writing more. Until, I started teaching. I found arranging, useful. Familiar songs, I knew. But also tunes, the crowd adored. As arranging skills, grew. “Your Cheating Heart.” The fans loved. “Matilda,” was a standard. Helped win over, small Cajun town. Picking right songs, mattered. But also, did some pop tunes. Keeping, students happy. “Close Encounters,” “Sweet Caroline.” Was fun, for them and me. The marching contest, specials. “Black Saddle,” set the pace. “Onward Christian Soldier” paired with, touching “Amazing Grace.” “My Favorite Things.” Stretched me. For students, challenging. “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” Pumped up. “Silly Love Songs.” Pleasing. Fourth Quarter Jam. Tradition. A wide variety. Played on and on and on, non-stop. The right tunes, were the key. Clapton’s version, of “Cocaine.” And then, “Bad Company.” From funky sounds, to driving drums. “You Dropped the Bomb on Me.” During this time, did not write. Anything, that was new. Did not compose. I just arranged. The music, people knew. That changed. After a decade. Left, marching band scene. Became, middle school director. Where concert band, was king. I struggled, to find music. To put, upon the stage. Publications, were too easy. Or too tough, for the age. Solution, was within me. I switched, to composing. Series of songs, that entertained. Supplemented, teaching.
10
