Boston Sings 2018

"Between the Lines" aims to provide every attendee with the tools and inspiration to make deeper, fuller arrangements that elevate the listening experience. The class looks through the lens of a record producer, exploring a long list of tricks that are usable both in the studio AND live to turn a good song into a GREAT song. We'll listen to real isolated multitracks of chart-topping pop hits and a cappella songs to discover the interesting methods with which each artist crafts exciting textural landscapes.

 How do you craft an impactful, intentional arrangement? 

Through studying the scores and recordings of cinematic, emotionally-evocative arrangements, we will analyze and discuss how arrangers use texture, nuanced vowels, onset and decay, and registral choices to maximize the impact and range of emotions in their work. Having listened to and discussed many examples, attendees will come away inspired by a sense of new possibilities in arranging and new ideas for techniques and textures to experiment with in their own arrangements.

This class is geared toward novice and intermediate arrangers who are looking to increase their harmonic vocabulary. With a focus on the keyboard rather than jumping straight to vocal scoring, we will introduce and train the ear on 3 basic but incredibly useful reharmonization concepts:

- Secondary dominants
- Tritone substitution
- Chromatic substitutions

Some elements of chord voicings will be applied to these concepts. Don’t worry if you don’t know what these words mean yet!

This class is great for arrangers and singers who want to increase their understanding of harmony but aren’t quite ready to analyze advanced arrangements. The goal is for everyone to leave the class ready to use a few new chords and tricks! 

Have you ever wanted to work with someone else to create an arrangement? How do you put several heads together to arrange a chart which satisfies all parties musical genius? In this class, we’ll explore the values of collaborative arranging and its impact on you as a musician. We'll discuss how to effectively work with others in the creative process; and which tools and techniques that are accessible to foster the best creative environment.

The loop pedal is an incredibly versatile tool you can use to perform solo, flesh out arrangement ideas, and practice improvisation. Learn what you'll need to get started, how to use one, and where you can draw inspiration for awesome arrangements.

In this class, we will discuss how arrangers can develop their group’s musical skills directly through deliberate arranging while using these musical goals as an impetus for developing new arranging methodologies. Attendees will learn to isolate musical problems spots and tackle them constructively, to write portions of an arrangement engineered to be musically intuitive and pleasing while pedagogically sound, to use warm ups purposefully to structure a rehearsal conducive to continuous growth, and to take full advantage of “teachable moments” in rehearsal to create a positive, effective work environment. In addition, attendees will learn how to use musical goals and self imposed constraints to arrange fresh, inspired music by taking full advantage of specific, teachable vocal techniques. Attendees will see examples of these ideas in practice, as well as hear/sing warm ups/sections of arrangements that tackle specific problems common in A Cappella groups of all levels.

How can we better create more impactful moments in our music? How can we better connect to the audience? Together let's study the composer's intent and how audiences react to better suit your arrangements for the competition setting. Together let's discuss how we can better capture moments in our music.

Believe it or not, you CAN improvise a cappella arrangements. Using the improvisation games of Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, and others, participants will learn how to create a cappella arrangements simply by singing them. Be prepared to sing!