Phillips Arranging work (We Three Kings & Score comparison)

We Three Kings - Villanciao

• The first technique used in this version is the intro. It is played with fairly deep sounding brass since the lower vocals start off the song. This could of been arranged to help cue the singers who are first. 
• Another technique in this version is the use of counter melody. this means that there is another melody accompanying the original melody but it harmonically fits. The arranger could of done this to add more fullness and lightness to the song. Also this can make the dong more interesting. 
• Furthermore, another technique that is used is the acappella section sung in the beginning. After the instrument play a small intro, the first set of vocals are acappella. This means the first set of lyrics sung are on their own. The arranger could of done this because they wanted to introduce the vocals and the listeners can pay full attention to the them before adding the instruments
• Finally one more technique used is the 3 part harmonies. This means that the chords of the sung are broken into 3 parts and each set of vocals sings each note to ultimately form a chord. The arranger could of done this because besides the traditional arranged of a choir, the vocals are taking lead and singing the melody and harmonies. This is why the organ is playing only a counter melody and no chords.

We Three Kings - Ella Fitzgerald

• The first technique used in this version is the time signature. The song is swung meaning that instead of being straight 4/4, it is swung 3/4. The arranger could of done this because it is a different take of the traditional version, so this time signature is more appropriate to the suited style of music this song has been changed to.
• Another technique used in this version is the harmonies. This means that there are extra vocals  singing chords in harmony to the lead vocals. This could of been done to support the lead and add more to the song. It also adds a twist to this version  rather than the traditional harmonies.
• One more technique used is the change of vocals. This means that most parts of the vocals are different to the original. This could of been done because the singers vocals aren't as low as the originals and certain notes have been changed to suit the genre of music more.
• Finally another arrangement technique used is the use of instruments. This means that instruments such as a harp, piano and double bass have been added. This could of been done to enhance the feeling of the genre this has been changed to. What is being played on the instruments are scales or notes that are also more suited the genre of music.

We Three Kings - Kamelot

• The first technique used in this is that is has no vocals. That means that there is no one singing any lyrics at all although there is a small amount of vocals in the background, in general the vocals do not have a major part at all in this version. This could of been done because it was suited more towards the genre of music.
• Another technique used is the use of the electric guitar. This means that the way the guitar is used, is that the notes that are played are playing the melody of the song instead of vocals. This could of been done because in this genre of music, the lead electric guitar is very important. Also its has all the notes to play the melody.
• Furthermore, one more technique used is the mixture of genres. this means that even though this is mainly a heavy metal song, there are bits of the song where classic takes are mixed in. This could of been arranged like this not fully change the song but to "remix" it during this cover.
• Finally one technique used is the use of instruments. This means that there are instruments such as a distorted electric guitar, drums, marching drums (snare), acoustic guitar and strings. This could of been arranged this way to help mix the to genre's of music, heavy metal and classical. 

Score Comparison

The greatest love of all

The key signature of this arrangement is in the lead sheet is E flat major. But it being a lead sheet, it gives the melody only, which is simple because it is for voice, in the original arrangement. When it comes to the rhythm of it,  it is slightly more complex.

On the concert piece sheet, it shows the treble clef and the bass clef. This means that it shows and separates the lower and higher notes. This was possibly arranged this way because it was adapted from harder version to make it simpler. This has been done because the performer possibly hasn’t got the level of skill needed to play the harder version.

Also on the concert piece score sheet, the score shows bass and treble clef in traditional scoring. Where as on the other sheet it only shows the melody as a score and has the chords written above the parts where they are need to be played. The arranger has done this because the way the song has been written is that is probably used a song chart.

The song chart version doesn’t have dynamics unlike the concert piece. This means that the song chart piece is played at the same volume through out the entire sheet, where as the concert piece varies in different parts of the song. This could be done because maybe the concert sheet is scored that way to show a certain skill level that is needed to pass a grade for the piano.

Finally the song chart version has more complicated chords. Besides the point that it’s harder to play, this means that the chords aren’t as basic and contains more technical skills. This is because the arranger has made the song sound fuller with a simple melody. Also the key for the concert sheet is different so that the piece has got as many flats so it is not as complicated.

What the world needs now is love

On the choir version of the song, the score is more traditional and has the treble and bass clef written. This means that you can see the lower notes up to a certain octave before moving up to the treble clef. This was arranged like this because there are 4 types voices, which are soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Soprano and tenor belong in the treble clef and alto and bass belong in the bass clef.

Unlike the choir version of the song, the score of the song chart version has less of a traditional score. This means that it doesn’t contain the bass clef and has less of a score. This because the arranger made it so, that the melody can be read/sung easily. Also the chords aren’t written traditionally so that a session pianist can read the chords quicker if there score reading isn’t that good.

The choir version has dynamics. This means that there are points of the song where the choir sing louder and quitter. A reason why it was arranged this way was possibly to add more feeling/effect to it when performed. Considering where choirs usually perform which are places which reverb, the dynamics will sound good depending on how there are used. For example at one point if the choir were singing and the song got louder, they could highlight a moment that sounded good and stop it to let it resonate in the church. 

The arrangement for the lead sheet is very simple because it is only written for the left hand. The chords written above the stave are simple chords and do not give a reasons to show why this arrangement is special. The arranger has made so simple so that a beginner, can play it.