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It has to pertain to video games. I found the perfect theme for you while I was listening to SSBB.

Metroid Prime - Samus' Theme Song sounds VERY similar to the menu theme from SSBM (I never played metroid nor SSBM before sadly). Use that to transition those themes together. You can skip around and experiment with different themes. Doesn't have to be Metroid all the way and that's it for that.

I'm back! I wanna do random songs though. I don't want to do Mario all the way in section A then LoZ in section B, etc. Best if it's random since during my sleep I began putting themes I already know together. I'll see if I can upload a couple ost.

I'll be away for a couple days. I gotta fulfill some requests at vgsheets. Can't leave those people waiting.

Ok I'll add the Choirs (SATB). The score was really small when I added them. I haven't used the lyrics tool in Finale so I think it's worth a try.

I just googled windwaker main theme and I found that. It sounds like the ocean theme, but slightly different. I searched the soundtracks, and I couldn't find it. I really like that song.

Those songs you mentioned, can you provide an mp3? I wanna listen to it.

Here are the instruments I'm gonna be using.

Piccolo; Flute 1,2; Oboe 1,2; Clarinet 1,2; Bass clarinet; Bassoon 1,2; Horn 1,2; Horn 3,4; trumpet 1,2,3 (divided into 2 staves); Trombone 1,2,3 (divided into 2 staves); Tuba; Harp; Piano; Violin 1; Violin 2; Viola; Cello; Contrabass. Timpani; Cymbals; Glockenspiel (bells); Tubular Bells; Snare drum; Basic orch percussion; Marimba, xylophone. No choir. I don't see many schools combining orchestra with choirs. The reason being is that your voices at this age are not maturely developed enough so I decided to take it off the list (not many of you are in college yet).

I have to go back and check on the tutorials to make sure it's right. It needs to be very well balanced when grouping instruments together unless someone can tell me if it's right.

Some of you people are probably out of it. If that's the case, don't start with a very large score, it can be mind-numbing. Start with something like a piano duet or an instrument you're good at. Play, improvise, and arrange with your real instrument. Grab a notepad and jot down a list of songs you think will transition well. Play it out in your head before attempting to arrange the songs. After you figure it out, grab some already made mus files on NSM or extract the notation from a midi at vgmusic just to get your ideas down. Though... *looks at G-han* not all arrangements on this site are good.

Can someone tell me where to find this theme? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSN0A43i_oA

Alright lets make it about 20 minutes more or less, somewhere around there. Hmm about 10-15 franchises I would say. I did a quick google search and the longest performance time is somewhere from 45 min to 1 hour; no breaks.

My random suggestions: Super Mario Bros., the Legend of Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Smash Bros. (their themes), F-Zero, Kirby, Starfox, Pokemon, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Tetris, Metal Gear, Kid Icarus, Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger/Cross, Halo, Banjo Kazooie, Megaman, Kingdom Hearts, Street Fighter, and err... many many more

I watched your video Sirus. Does your school only do string quintet? Well the entire music class has to be motivated if they're gonna persuade the teacher. Otherwise I can see why your teacher doesn't think you guys can do it. Sure you can do it by yourself, but the others... how are they?

For those in band or orchestra, what's the longest performance time you guys have played without taking breaks? 20 minutes? I need to know ahead of time.

Damn. I keep playing LoZ on my piano. I like LoZ music than Mario cuz it sounds more epic I think I'm gonna do LoZ just to get it out of my head lol.

Anyways. I checked your arrangement out megan. Hmm, firstly be very careful with pitch range. The Horns and trumpet Bb are out of range. People love to place octaves for single instruments (like what you did with the horns and trombone). It really isn't necessary imo. In the future try to stay away from duplicating the same notes for every instruments or else it will just sound like a bunch of chords with a single melody line blaring at the audience regardless of what octave region they're in. Counter-melody are good. The thing I like about woodwinds is that they do provide counter-melody. Lastly make sure there are no collisions. The expressions are colliding into the notes and articulations. However this is only a rough draft so it doesn't matter, but in the final version it will.

It is ok to semi-compose something for your arrangement. It is suppose to be an arrangement, not a transcription.

Edit: I'm beginning to wonder if arranging a video game suite is feasible. I really do want to combine different franchises, but doing so will take hours. I don't want to tire the musicians or worst of all tire the audience out. Maybe we should make it at most 20min. I really dont know what's the longest time a general school orchestra can play. Don't want to go overtime.

I have AIM and yahoo messenger. I use AIM more often though. What do you guys use?

Finished updating the list. It's not that hard to connect the pieces together. Now my question is, how long can you survive? I also need to know what instruments does your school use (orchestra, not band).

Omg I'm looking at this list http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_game_franchises and there's no way I can cover all the "well-known popular" franchises.
Anyways to save time I'm going to be combining themes into one. This is very difficult, but it's possible. If you can do the same, then go for it!

Metroid will oversee the brasses and be co-master orchestrator of Metroid. Hugomeister will oversee the strings (waiting for a reply from sirus...). Please state your real names. I don't want the conductor or the teacher to be seeing someone's name as metroidhunter26 or hugomeister

Here's an arrangement I did way back. http://files.filefront.com/Dark+Overworldmp3/;9956314;/fileinfo.html. You'll get an idea how it will sound as the final product.

So what are your plans when you arrange LoZ main theme? You need to remix it by attaching "variations" of those themes after the main theme such as the overworld from majora's mask in minor, the overworld theme from link's awakening, and Tal Tal heights for example. All these songs are very much related and is easy to transition and connect. Be careful not to arrange the whole thing of the main theme since we want to save time for the other themes.

The Super Smash Bros. franchise does a well job in remixing and connecting songs together. Try listening to a couple of LoZ songs from there.

Glad you could join. Now waiting for others. I'll work on the Mario theme first thing.

In the meantime go over this list everyone List of top-selling games or List of franchise games. If it is not in the list, then you may suggest a game. Since I don't play every game in the world, I want you to select the main themes of several games. The main themes are first priority since it is very recognizable. Remember to choose a main theme that represents the franchise, not the game itself. We're doing it for the audience who aren't familiar with video game music.

For those who are unfamiliar with orchestrating or just unsure, check this link out. http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=77

[Instrumental Specialist]

Hello everyone. Sirus and vgmfreak both contacted me, and I said I would help out with this project some time in mid-may. Well here I am. Though I don't know where to start, but first I need to hire some people. Tip: Always start a theme that's well-known and end it with that same theme. In this case it's Mario's theme.

Summarizing from vgmfreak's hierarchy. Master Orchestrators are in charge of overseeing the entire project. Co-Master orchestrators are in charge of overseeing a section of the project (ei. Mario's theme, the legend of zelda main theme, etc.); please stick to one theme. Arrangers are servants to the co-master orchestrator and master orchestrator. All you do is listen to what the higher-ups say and arrange, but do stick to one theme. Instrumental specialist are in charge of checking for notation errors in their field; you don't have to stick to one theme and may work together with the arrangers. Advisors are the master orchestrator's assistants. Keen ears and the ability to pay attention to detail is key for this position. Lastly, anyone including everyone within the hierarchy can suggest any theme they like.

Master Orchestrator: Megan and Brian
      Advisors:
Co-Master Orchestrator:
Arrangers:

Instrumental Specialist
Woodwind:
Brass: Daniel
Strings: Devin, Leo
Percussion:
Choir:
Keyboard:
Plucked Strings:

When suggesting a theme, please state what key signature it's in (major or minor?) and what tempo approximately. Also state what your real name is.

Edit: Before I begin. I need to know how big are your orchestras?