Arranging 101: Elements

New year, new series! For the first few months of 2019, this space will contain stories about the art of arranging music, a pursuit that is often misunderstood and even neglected.

Arranging is a complex and variable process, and takes some knowledge and skill to master. But simply put, it is the development of a simple musical idea into a more fully formed expression. It can be done in a range of contexts, each of which requires exploration and explanation, however, here is a basic example of the arranging process from start to finish.