ArrangeMe- Published Titles To Be Performed at The 78th Midwest Clinic

Four composers and arrangers from ArrangeMe will have their music performed at The Midwest Clinic this week.

The Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra, and Music Conference draws 18,000 attendees from all 50 states and over 40 countries. This includes music educators, composers, arrangers, and industry professionals. Along with insightful speaker sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall featuring vendors like ArrangeMe, Sheet Music Plus, and Hal Leonard, the conference also showcases performances by distinguished ensembles—from middle school bands to United States military bands.

With its massive visibility, a performance at The Midwest Clinic is a prestigious honor. We’re thrilled to hear three pieces by members of the ArrangeMe community featured this year!

Will you be attending The Midwest Clinic? Learn more about these performances below, and don’t forget to stop by the Hal Leonard/ArrangeMe booth in the Exhibit Hall to meet the team!

Congratulations to the following ArrangeMe members on this incredible achievement!

Brian Lawrence

Denton, TX

Brian Lawrence is a jazz musician and educator, currently a Doctoral Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas, where he directs the Seven O'Clock Lab Band and teaches jazz arranging and piano.

From the arranger: "Quarter Master" is a tune by Michael League, bandleader of the jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy. The piece is named after a deli at the end of New Orleans' Bourbon Street, a place the band frequented in its early days. The music incorporates many rhythmic and melodic elements that reflect the city's rich cultural history.

This arrangement was commissioned by the Mount Si High School Jazz Ensemble from Snoqualmie, WA, under the direction of my friend Bill Leather. I enjoy writing for student ensembles, especially when adapting music from contemporary groups like Snarky Puppy. What makes this performance even more special is that Mount Si's guest artist will be the renowned trumpet player Sean Jones. I'm thankful for the opportunity to have my writing published by ArrangeMe and featured at The Midwest Clinic!

Get your copy of “Quarter Master” here!

Paul Murtha

Calabash, NC

Paul is a highly sought-after composer and arranger in both professional and educational music circles. From 1990 to 1996, he was Chief Arranger for the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. He then served on the arranging staff and as Chief Arranger for The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” from 1996 to 2016. Paul’s works are exclusively published by Hal Leonard, where he contributes to various instrumental catalogues.

From the arranger: An easy grade 2 swing version of this holiday classic (Santa Clause Is Comin’ To Town) that was commissioned to feature an advanced Piano Soloist and an intermediate Trombone Soloist, both can be played as written or improvised , Works great as an opener or closer for your holiday concert!

Optional percussion parts are included in case you don't have a drum set player.

Find your copy of “Santa Clause Is Comin’ To Town” here!

Roger Vasquez

Corpus Christi, TX

Mr. Roger Vasquez currently serves as the Director of Orchestras at Roy Miller High School and Metro Prep School of Design (Corpus Christi ISD). Before joining Miller HS, Mr. Vasquez worked at Fort Settlement Middle School (Fort Bend ISD) where he served as Associate Director of Orchestras along with his friend and colleague, Mrs. Angela Peugnet. In their time working together the program earned consistent success at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation, ranking as National Winners with the Mark of Excellence, placing as Finalists in the TMEA Honor Orchestra process, and earning an invite to the Midwest Clinic International Music Confernece.

Mr. Vasquez is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Suzuki Association of the Americas, and has recently joined the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. When not teaching, Mr. Vasquez loves to spend time with his fiancée, playing with their 3 cats, and traveling the world.

From the composer: This original piece is intended for the developing orchestra - and it even includes harp! Basses have the important job of delivering a strong and steady tango beat throughout the piece. The piece is written to feature pizzicato and arco skills, as well as the orchestra's ability to play with dynamics. The orchestra will really need to bring out and commit the stomping that is featured throughout this piece to really create the imagery of a large dinosaur dancing the tango.

Purchase “Triceratops Tango” here!

Bryan Kidd

Fairfax, VA

With 26 years of service, Bryan retired as the Chief Composer / Arranger for The United States Navy Band Washington, D.C. His writing, conducting and teaching experience range from elementary through collegiate and professional levels. Currently, he is the Composer / Arranger-in-Residence for The American Festival Pops Orchestra, a professional ensemble founded by Conductor Emeritus Anthony Maiello, and affiliated with George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

From the arranger: “Bluebird Land is transcribed and adapted by Bryan Kidd
Maynard Ferguson’s iconic theme song transcribed and adapted for high and advanced middle school jazz ensemble from his 1956 recording, Maynard Ferguson and His Birdland Dream Band.”

MEDIUM EASY (High and advanced Middle School)
Full jazz ensemble with optional Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet 4, Trombone 4 and Vibraphone
Key lowered from the original G major to F major
Brass high note: Trumpet G 5; Trombone E 4.
Solos for all - written out with changes

Find “Bluebird Land” here!

ArrangeMe- Published Titles To Be Performed at The 78th Midwest Clinic

Brian Lawrence

Paul Murtha

Roger Vasquez

Bryan Kidd

Staccato Spotlight: MaryAnne Muglia