Question: Can you learn new songs?
Answer: Yes, we can create custom written arrangements.
The Matt McCallie Orchestra is constantly adding new music to its books. Even with a library of over 2,000 songs clients are always wanting something more, something new, and something personally meaningful.
Most of the custom arrangement requests we receive are songs to be performed during processionals and interludes at wedding ceremonies and special dances during receptions.
Our string quartet has been receiving requests for more contemporary music the past couple years. The Matt McCallie Orchestra's St Louis String Quartet is now known for having the largest library of contemporary string quartet music in the area.
To make our arrangements as functional and flexible as possible most of our string quartet arrangements keep the melody in the 1st violin part. Bass parts are usually adapted to the cello. Inner harmonies and rhythmic significance are apportioned to the 2nd violin and viola parts. We write this way so that when performing as a smaller group like a trio or duo the melody is always present.
Similarly, our band's arrangements are written with functionality and flexibility in mind. For example, trombone 3 parts are often playing harmonies above trombone 1. Nearly all solos are given to the 1st chair of each section. While writing this way is unconventional, it is the most practical way to write for a band that performs with a different instrumentation at each performance.
The fact that most of our arrangements can be performed by various instruments is one of the most exciting things about our arrangements. Many of our contemporary string quartet songs can have the 1st violinist switch to singing the melody while playing guitar or piano. While still a quartet, an ensemble like this can easily transition from traditional classical music to modern Top 40 dance music.
Pricing for custom song arrangements varies primarily by the complexity and duration of the music. We have a minimum fee of $200 for the simplest transcriptions such as having a solo vocalist play guitar and sing. This type of chart could likely be written as simply as a lead sheet. When more instruments are engaged they typically have to be written out as standard music notation. More can be learned about the types of charts we use on our Chart Types blog.
The following is a list of some of the songs clients have hired us to arrange:
At Last
Bless the Broken Road-String Quartet
Blurred Lines
Braveheart Main Title-String Quartet
Chopin Nocturne Opus 9 Number 2
Colors of the Wind-String Quartet, Voice, Guitar
Cinderella
Dreamy Eyes
Footloose-Orchestra, Choir
For the Love of a Princess-String Quartet
From the Ground Up-Solo Violin
Happy
Harder to Breathe
Heart of Metal
Heaven-Voice, String Quartet, Piano
Here Comes the Bride/Canon in D Medley
Here Comes the Sun-String Quartet
Into the Mystic
It Might Be You-String Quartet
King of Anything-Choir, Rock Band
Landslide-Violin & Cello
Let It Be Me
Love Story-String Quartet
My Wish-Violin & Harp
Nothing Else Matters-String Quartet
Ode to Joy/Greatest Love Story-Singer/Pianist, Violin, & Cello Trio
Over the Rainbow-String Quartet
Paradise-String Quartet
Promentory (The Gael)-String Quintet, Guitar, Percussion
Smooth Criminal-Big Band, Orchestra
So This Is Love-String Quartet
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World-String Duo
Some Nights-Choir, Rock Band, Horns
Take a Back Road-Country/Rock Band
Take Me Out to the Ballgame-Jazz Band
The Love Theme from Dances With Wolves-String Quartet, Flute, Harp
The Lord of the Rings-Solo Violin, Lindsey Stirling Version
The Man You've Become
The Way I Am
This Is It by Scotty McCreery-String Quartet
This Will Be Our Year-Voice & Guitar
Twin Peaks-Violin & Cello
Wannabe-Choir, Rock Band, Horns
Wilderness-String Quartet & Guitar
What Would You Say
You Are My Sunshine-Voice & Guitar
You Belong with Me-String Quartet
You Needed Me
You Raise Me Up-String Quartet
