Today, I got the chance to workshop my arrangement to see how it would sound with classroom instruments and to ask for feedback from students what I should do to change/improve my arrangement.
Things noted:
- Sections
As following bar numbers can be a bit hard to find especially if going at a faster tempo. Finding sections A, B, C and D would be much easier
- Adding in any dynamics or articulation
To allow for a more interesting performance, rather having the whole arrangement to stay at the same level. It also allows students to express themselves when playing their part.
- Xylophone Part
In my xylophone part, in the first 16 bars, it uses an F# (which is fine as students can swap out the F for a F#). However, from bar 21 and onwards, it uses a F. There is a 4 bar rest in between in which students can change the F# back to an F but I think it would be better to revise the notation and leave it as all F# for the xylophone part. My reason being that if students do change the F# back to an F in the 4 bar rest, they may lose track of which bar rest they are up to and miss their entry in bar 21.
- Breaks in some parts
Some parts are playing throughout the whole arrangement with no rest until the very end. This is definitely possible for most instruments but not entirely suitable for wind or brass instruments. Some breaks/rests during the piece may need to be considered.