In many ways, arranging music is a lot like painting. Even though two people may start with the same subject / song in mind, the end result can be very different. For example, look at these two paintings of the Grand Canal in Venice. It’s the same scene, but each is very unique:
In the first, the detail provided by Calanetto is almost photographic – sharp, precise, and grand. Monet, on the other hand, is all about color, light, and feeling. And while Monet’s style evolved throughout his life, it remained distinctive – you wouldn’t mistake a Monet for a Rembrandt or even a Seurat.
Painting with Sound
While arrangers have their own style as well, different songs can require a change of “brush stroke” to get just the right sound for a piece. You almost need to be a chameleon – sometimes “painting” in one style, and then in another – a challenge that was very much at play in developing the arrangements for AMERICA: 250 Years Young.
For George M. Cohan songs I leaned into the brassy, bold confidence of a young nation. But a more soulful piece like Shenandoah called for woodwinds and horns to mimic the rolling water of this great river. Whether with a full orchestra or just a small combo, and whether using brass, piano, organ, or banjo, each song required its own individual palette to fit into the context of the entire album.
That’s the fun of painting with sound. Even if some of the songs on this album may be familiar to you, I can’t wait for you to hear the new colors I worked to bring to them.
More information on AMERICA: 250 Years Young is available here. The new album will be available May 21, 2026 on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major streaming services.
Come Join the Jubilee May 21st