Senior Capstone Project Narrative

Purpose:

The purpose of this project is to reimagine Broken House by Joe Cashetta through a full orchestral arrangement, recorded live in four distinct sections: brass, strings, percussion, and vocals/piano. By transitioning from a digital or MIDI-based version to a live performance, this project will demonstrate the depth and emotion that live orchestration can bring to a composition. It serves as both a creative exploration and a technical challenge, requiring advanced skills in recording, mixing, and project management. The final product will showcase the power of orchestration in enhancing the storytelling and emotional impact of a song while also serving as a professional portfolio piece.

Contribution to Discipline:

This project contributes to the field of music production by blending classical orchestration techniques with modern recording, editing, and mixing processes. It provides a case study on capturing live orchestral sections separately and seamlessly integrating them into a polished final track. By working with trained musicians, this project highlights the importance of dynamic, human performances in music production, emphasizing the contrast between MIDI-generated orchestration and the depth of live instrumentation. The outcome will be an example of how contemporary producers can effectively incorporate orchestral elements into diverse musical styles.

Growth:

Through this project, you will refine your skills in orchestral recording, developing techniques for capturing the nuance of strings, brass, percussion, and vocal performances. The project will challenge you to ensure consistency across separate recording sessions while maintaining the energy and cohesiveness of a live performance. Additionally, working with multiple musicians will strengthen your ability to lead recording sessions, communicate artistic direction, and manage technical aspects such as microphone placement and spatial mixing. This experience will also enhance your ability to problem-solve in real-world recording scenarios, preparing you for future professional work in music production.

Who, What, When, Why, How

• Who:

  • This project will involve a team of musicians performing the arranged orchestration for Broken House by Joe Cashetta. I will oversee the recording, editing, mixing, and mastering processes, ensuring a professional final product.

• What:

  • The project consists of recording and producing a fully orchestrated version of Broken House, with separate recording sessions for brass, strings, percussion, and vocals/piano. The final product will be a polished, mixed, and mastered version of the song, demonstrating the impact of live orchestration on a pre-existing composition.

• When:

  • This project will be completed during my final semester, with recording sessions scheduled throughout the term. Pre-production planning has already begun, and mixing and mastering will take place in the latter half of the module to meet final deadlines.

• Why:

  • This project will allow myself and others to explore the complexities of orchestral recording while showcasing my technical and creative abilities as a producer. By bringing a song to life through live orchestration, I will demonstrate how arrangement and instrumentation choices can transform the emotional and sonic landscape of a composition.

• How:

  • The process will involve multiple recording sessions, each focused on capturing a different orchestral section. These recordings will then be edited, mixed, and mastered to meld into the final product. The project will require careful coordination with musicians, studio preparation, and detailed attention to tone, dynamics, and spatial mixing.

Pre-Production

1. Finalize Score & Parts:

   1. Since the orchestration is already arranged, ensure all musicians have access to their individual parts and are familiar with the music.

2. Musician Coordination:

   1. Confirm availability and scheduling for brass, strings, percussion, and vocal/piano performers. I will be gathering these musicians from Capital University’s Conservatory of Music and Grove City High School.

3. Studio Setup Planning:

   1. Determine microphone choices, placement techniques, and session logistics for each instrumental section. I will be conducting these studio sessions in 2 of the 6 studios at Capital University.

4. Session Scheduling:

   1. Create a structured timeline for recording each section separately while maintaining consistency.

      
      

Deliverables

1. Final Orchestrated Track:

   1. A fully mixed and mastered version of Broken House, featuring the newly recorded orchestration as well as vocals. Joe Cashetta will be releasing this track in the near future as well.

2. Recording Logs:

   1. Session documentation detailing technical setups, challenges, and adjustments made throughout the process. These will be saved in my notes to gather information for my reports and final reflection.

3. Reflection:

   1. A personal analysis of the learning experience, technical improvements, and creative growth achieved through the project. This will be done in a final blog as well as a final “documentary” video that will all be uploaded to my personal website.

4. Presentation:

   1. A final presentation to showcase the project, including audio samples, DAW session visuals, and a discussion of the artistic and technical process. This will include interviews from both myself, the engineer, as well as Joe Cashetta, the artist and composer.