NinSheetMusic Forums

Welcome to our second arrangement contest! As you might have guessed, the theme this time is waltz.

Imagine the New Year's Ball at Princess Peach's castle. Game characters from far and near have come to attend, the ballroom is packed with people. Luigi has dug his suit out of the closet. Mario has reluctantly let Bowser have the first dance with Peach. Link is wearing his finest green hat, walking hand in hand with Zelda down the ballroom floor. Captain Falcon and Snake are both eager to ask Samus out. Kirby and Jigglypuff are both oblivious to everything but each other. Nathan Drake and Lara Croft stand in a corner, discussing their latest adventures.

Suddenly, a cough is heard, and a tiny voice calls for attention. The game characters pair up as Toadsworth straightens his glasses and lifts the conductor's baton. Then, he turns towards...
Yes, who exactly? Which piece is played during the grand dance? The Ball programme only says that it's a waltz based on a non-waltz video game piece, but which game, which theme, and which instruments are played, that's up to you. It can be a full-blown Toad orchestra, a Goron steel drum trio, a lone Creeper with a guitar, or anything in between.

Take any song from any video game, excluding pieces that already are waltz-like, and make a waltz out of it. That means, songs like The Song of Storms and The Comet Observatory can not be used. You can use any instruments you may like. In case you are in doubt whether your selected piece is valid, PM MaestroUGC and ask. As a rule of thumb, no songs in 3/4 rhythm are allowed.

Your score will be based on the following criteria:
1) Orchestration: Do the instruments serve the music? A simple copy/paste would result in a low score, while a dynamic orchestration would yield something higher.
2) Preservation: does the arrangement make it clear what the original was while meeting the criteria? If the arrangement only makes a single reference to the original while it does something else entirely, then it'll get a low score.
3) Creativity: does the arrangement go beyond the criteria? If it only does the basic change, low score.
4) Criteria: does the arrangement meet the criteria for the challenge? If no, low score; barely, middle; totally, high.
5) Popular vote: each entry gets a correspoding score from everyone who votes, an average from the votes for the piece out of all the votes.

We're doing blind voting this time. That means that all submissions are to be sent to me. I will not partake in judging, nor will I vote in the poll, or tell the judgrors who made what. Upload the .MUS-file (the only accepted file format, but your version of Finale should not be an issue) to a website and PM me the link, or PM me for a mail address to send it to. If I post it here, spambots would pick it up, so I prefer to have it this way. This also means that the sheet should not contain the arranger's name, but please tell me who you are when you submit. It would also be nice if you gave your sheet a title, to make it easier for us to catalogize (for instance, Waltz of Brinstar). The piece's file name should be the same as its title (WaltzOfBrinstar.mus for instance). Also include a YouTube (or similiar) link to the piece you based your submission on.

Here are some example waltzes for inspiration:
Strauss:
Blue Danube: Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTqlLKBKFhg) Sheets (http://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/8/84/IMSLP13693-Strauss_-_The_Beautiful_Blue_Danube.pdf)
Kaiser Waltz: Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivxLa_xcpjk) Sheets (http://imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/9/9f/IMSLP75886-PMLP39963-Strauss_op.437_Kaiser-Walzer_fs_EE.pdf)
Voices of Spring: Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0sjS92tkNI) Sheets (http://erato.uvt.nl/files/imglnks/usimg/9/9a/IMSLP154195-PMLP149049-StraussJr_Fruhlingsstimmen_Op410.pdf)

Chopin:
Grande Valse Brilliante: Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQ-6_OIds4) Sheets (http://imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/f/f0/IMSLP114782-PMLP02368-FChopin_Grande_valse_brillante__Op.18_BH9.pdf)
Op. 69 No. 1: Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDN4xSKBUnA) Sheets (http://erato.uvt.nl/files/imglnks/usimg/a/a0/IMSLP127853-WIMA.2c69-Chopin_Waltz_Op69No1.pdf)
Op. 70 No. 1: Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI1NA2ECOww) Sheets (http://erato.uvt.nl/files/imglnks/usimg/2/24/IMSLP54730-PMLP02375-Valse_Op.70_No.1.pdf)
(Thanks to MaestroUGC for providing the examples)

The deadline was March 17th. Nothing extraordinary happened.

The winner gets to choose between a copy of Minecraft or a Steam game of the same price (20€, ~27$).

Let the arranging... and discussion... uhh... END/CONTINUE!


The contestants are among these guys:

---

Clanker37
Olimar12345
Brassman388
SlowPokemon
insaneintherain
K-NiGhT
Dahans
MaestroUGC
Bespinben

---

THE ENTRIES:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61044072/AC2/MUS-files.zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61044072/AC2/CurlySwing_MP3.mp3 -- One of the sheets was written in XML, and didn't take the conversion to MUS very well. The arranger asked me to provide the sound file for listening, as it reflects the intention of the arranger better than the MUS does.

These would only be the .MUS files as submitted by the contestants. The judgrors have received all the other files sent in. This is because some entries were created in different programs than Finale, so there would be some formatting differences. The public are asked not to worry about this.

Poll is up. Voting for yourself is wimpy.

Before you start arranging, make sure you check with me first. Once all the contestants have their pieces approved then the contest will begin. Just PM a YouTube video of the original so I can go over it. If there is an issue, I will tell you. If the piece is good, then I trust you to play fair and wait. Thank you in advance.

Right now we have two competitors, we can't get this going if people don't sign in.

Players thus far:

Olimar12345
Clanker37

Yay I'm not alone! Good luck to you, Clanker!

Quote from: Olimar12345 on February 14, 2012, 09:49:17 PMGood luck to you, Clanker!

I won't need luck! I'll suck anyway!   ;D

Wow. I feel like such a noob here. But I do have lots of experience arranging and composing and stuff like that. Unlike most of you, I use Musescore, the free version of finale. I think that I would have fun with this and would like to give it a go. Despite my newness, am I allowed to participate in this competition? I think it would really help my music skills.

Hmm, I guess it would be alright. As long as you provide us with a PDF and a midi, or save the file as a .xml, it should be fine. Let's wait to hear the other judgrors' input.

*agonizing over whether to enter*

Give it a shot, what have you got to lose?

I can provide a PDF and midi. Xml is preferable though. So do I PM you the song that I think I'll be waltzistrating?

Um...i'll keep thinking about it. Idk if i'd even have time to arrange a piece before the deadline...school :/

Yes, just give me a link to YouTube to the piece.

Also, you all are free to change the piece you want to waltz-ify during the contest. Just be sure to let us know what the new piece is.

The contest won't start until we get about...6-8 people, and on top of that you have three weeks to get it done. I expect this to begin by at least next weekend, ending mid-March.

Okay, good. I PMed you a link to a version of it. Already concocting ideas in my head!

Quote from: insaneintherain on February 15, 2012, 09:05:08 PMI use Musescore

Woot! Welcome to the club! :D

Quote from: Dudeman on February 16, 2012, 03:36:38 PMWoot! Welcome to the club! :D

Yeah! *High fives*

EDIT: Can I be added to the competition list? I would suggest putting the list of people in the first post, to save some searching. Thanks!

I'd like to do this.

Send me a PM of what you intend to arrange.

I am in! Is it already too late? xD

I'll try it.

Pm maestro a youtube link of the song you want to do and you're in.

Here are the players:
Clanker37
Olimar12345
Brassman388
SlowPokemon
insaneintherain
K-NiGhT
Dahans
MaestroUGC

Don't worry, Olimar will take my place while judgring my piece. I think we have enough people to get this started. If all of the jugrors and players sign in, we can start on:

February 25, 2012
Ending: March 17, 2012

If you have any issues or questions, now is the time to voice them. The exact starting time will be posted once everydoby signs in. I'm going to trust you all haven't been working on your arrangements and will play fair. There is still time to sign up.

By signing in do you mean sending you the PM of the song choice and stuff?

No, I mean posting to make sure you are ready to play, for instance In.

Quote from: MaestroUGC on February 19, 2012, 08:08:25 AMNo, I mean posting to make sure you are ready to play, for instance In.

In.

In.

In.

Glad to see so many people want to participate.

I've heard concerns over "copyright" claims, though: without a name on the sheet, anyone, for instance somebody off-site, can grab it and say they made it. I've thought about this and devised some sort of solution, but I want to hear your ideas before pushing it through.

My idea was to give out an ID number to all the participants. This number would only be known by the participant and myself, and be put in the arranger's field in the submission. This doesn't prevent anybody from changing the field to display their name, but would provide some backing for claims of origin.

Any thoughts/ideas? Is this a problem at all? If yes, can we do something better about it? Please let me know if you think so.

Quote from: Cobraroll on February 20, 2012, 11:31:24 AMGlad to see so many people want to participate.

I've heard concerns over "copyright" claims, though: without a name on the sheet, anyone, for instance somebody off-site, can grab it and say they made it. I've thought about this and devised some sort of solution, but I want to hear your ideas before pushing it through.

My idea was to give out an ID number to all the participants. This number would only be known by the participant and myself, and be put in the arranger's field in the submission. This doesn't prevent anybody from changing the field to display their name, but would provide some backing for claims of origin.

Any thoughts/ideas? Is this a problem at all? If yes, can we do something better about it? Please let me know if you think so.

Sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't want my work to get stolen. Random number generator anyone? XD

I can't imagine anyone who would do that! That's just... stupid. Don't steal other people's work. I'm not even in this for the prize. Heck, I don't care if I win. It's just a really fun and good experience.

You know what we should do? Live judging! Like get a private chatroom with the judgrors and the competitors, mute the competitors, have the judges talk it over live, and the reach a verdict. Time zones would be an issue, though. =P

Yeah, let's go with the ID's. Live judgring would be too much of a hassle because we all have different schedules, plus time zones and just trying to find a date where we can chat long enough to go over the pieces, at best we can do acouple in a single sitting, but most likely we would need to get together a few times to get through all 8 arrangements. If we do them on our own, we get the added bonus of personal impression as oppossed to a group concensus.

Quote from: MaestroUGC on February 20, 2012, 11:44:12 AMYeah, let's go with the ID's. Live judgring would be too much of a hassle because we all have different schedules, plus time zones and just trying to find a date where we can chat long enough to go over the pieces, at best we can do acouple in a single sitting, but most likely we would need to get together a few times to get through all 8 arrangements. If we do them on our own, we get the added bonus of personal impression as oppossed to a group concensus.

...I thought of that. Okay. Yeah, it would be a big hassle and stuff. XP

Also, I don't think we need a limit of signups. One or two are guaranteed to drop out, and it would be a shame to have locked out people who wanted to participate. In the rare event that we get two dozen hand-ins, we'll just extend the judgring period accordingly (says the non-judgror...).

I'll send out IDs on the 25th, to comply with UGC's suggested schedule.

I just wanted a good amount of people to sign up so we can get this thing going. If only 2 people showed interest then where's the fun in that?

I can tell that this is going to be a very fun thing.
EDIT: Cobra, you might want to update the front page for all the competitors.

Ok, start time will be 6:00 am GMT on Saturday, February 25. Or, if you don't feel like doing math, wait until I say go.

I'll do the math.
That's 10:00 pm February 24 PST, 11:00 pm February 24 MST, 12:00 am February 25 CST, 1:00 am February 25 EST, 7:00 am February 25 CET, and 2:00 pm February 25 WST. I think that covers everyone!

Quote from: Dudeman on February 23, 2012, 09:22:42 PMI'll do the math.
That's 10:00 pm February 24 PST, 11:00 pm February 24 MST, 12:00 am February 25 CST, 1:00 am February 25 EST, 7:00 am February 25 CET, and 2:00 pm February 25 WST. I think that covers everyone!

Good! Then I have free time.. mwahaha. *devilish grin*

And...Go!

Contest ends: March 27, 6:00am GMT. Here's a nice little Countdown (http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/fullscreen.html?mode=a&year=2012&month=03&day=17&hour=06&min=00&sec=00&p0=0) for you to keep track of the time left. Boomark, favorite, do whatever so you don't lose track of time. Best of luck to all of you. PM your arrangments to Cobraroll when you've finished.

Just to make sure, how long are the arrangements supposed to be?

"No minimum, but I think a total of three minutes would be a sufficient maximum, not counting eventual "eternal" loops (for example, a song can have a ten second intro, a 2:40 long part that can be repeated infinitely, and a ten second ending). If several people find this too hard to go within, we might stretch it."

From the previous round. Perhaps I should have put it in the first post here as well.

We can't change pieces mid-competition, right? XP

I'm sure we could. Just check it out with Maestro to be sure, though.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on February 26, 2012, 02:37:13 PMI'm sure we could. Just check it out with Maestro to be sure, though.

Alright. Was I supposed to recieve a PM with my ID, because I didn't get one...

Me either

Quote from: insaneintherain on February 26, 2012, 01:10:34 PMWe can't change pieces mid-competition, right? XP

Quote from: MaestroUGC on February 15, 2012, 09:31:50 PMYes, just give me a link to YouTube to the piece.

Also, you all are free to change the piece you want to waltz-ify during the contest. Just be sure to let us know what the new piece is.

The contest won't start until we get about...6-8 people, and on top of that you have three weeks to get it done. I expect this to begin by at least next weekend, ending mid-March.

Quote from: Shadoninja on February 26, 2012, 03:17:36 PM

Okay. I thought I saw that phrase somewhere around here, I just didn't bother to look for it. =P

Heck... I knew I'd forgot something...

IDs being PM'd out now!

EDIT: They should now all be out. If any more of you sign up to this contest, you'll get a PM from me with an ID number.

Just about done...

So ANY type of waltz is good? Viennese, French?

Yes, its just has to be a waltz of some sort. You can model after Prokofiev if you think it would work.

I realize the contest already started 4 days ago, but I finally got some ideas for the song I had in mind. You think you could still let me participate still Maestro? Please?

Go for it, PM Cobra so he can give you an ID number.

Aw great, now we all automatically lose. Why Bespiben, WHY??? ...that was a compliment

Daww, well I wouldn't say that...  ::)  I'm just doing this for fun. In the end, Dahans will probably blow us away with another mind-boggling orchestration.

Ah, I'm not so sure about that... ;)

He has a point.... Also. dahans.. doing something? (haven't clicked on this thread till today.... )

This is going to be very challenging. Going up against Maestro, Dahans and Olimar? I'm very much obliged.

It's a real honor. But these guys have no idea what they're up against. ;)

Lol xD yes Winter, I am in^^. I am really trying hard to make the best out of it. I WILL BEAT YOU ALL As the defending champion, (oh god that sounds so good) I wish the best of luck to all of you :D.

We all have as good as a chance as Dahans. He is not better than anyone here. At all.

Heh. For a second, I thought that was a truthful statement. *Laughs*...right?

I'm not kidding in the slightest. He's no better than you or I at this.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 01, 2012, 05:55:38 PMI'm not kidding in the slightest. He's no better than you or I at this.

I know, I know, Just trying to make some joke. But it still helps to think of everybody as better than you. It gives you some motivation.

It also strokes some egos with certain people... :P

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 01, 2012, 05:47:01 PMWe all have as good as a chance as Dahans. He is not better than anyone here. At all.

Whoa. Those are fighting words, good sir.

Quote from: Brassman388 on March 01, 2012, 06:36:16 PMWhoa. Those are fighting words, good sir.

*plays the final countdown*

Haha. All I'm saying is that, egos aside, that I've seen Dahans' work. From what I can judge or evaluate or, however you may conclude as a good arrangement. Dahans', personally, has been ranked one of my favorite arrangers on this site. Not to say that there my be another with the same amount of talent or perhaps may have even more. But, at the same time, there's no real reason to shoot someone down after giving them praise. That's just dickish, so, knock it off.

Capice?

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 01, 2012, 05:55:38 PMI'm not kidding in the slightest. He's no better than you or I at this.

haha ^^ well if youre so sure about that, then show me ;).
This is slowly becoming a real contest, just avoid getting too excited about this contest, its just a game ^^.  and thanks brassman, i appreciate that a lot! I also like your work very much.

I wasn't trying to be competitive or even insult you, dahans.  I love your work, last time it was excellent. I just hate to see people with low confidence when truly everyone here is great. ^_^ ok?

theres nothing wrong with being competitive.^^ after all, its a competition and its great when people are motivated. And you didnt insult me slow.

You guys are all missing the real issue: What will you do when Olimar takes 1st place? :3

^Release the wrong ID numbers.  ::)

Haha well, that would be also possible. Just 2 question: When's the deadline? 2nd question: How long is the arrangement supposed to be? Longer than 1 min, maximum 5 min?

Both questions are answered elsewhere in this topic.

Quote from: Olimar12345 on March 02, 2012, 07:45:12 AMYou guys are all missing the real issue: What will you do when Olimar takes 1st place? :3

Send him an offer he can't refuse.

I love how you all are ignoring the obvious winner...

Hehehe.

...I feel beleaguered.

Don't worry, I'm sure we all have an equal chance of winning. Anyway, Week 1 is over, I hope you are all making good progress on your arrangements.

How do the ID numbers work?

You turn in your pieces to Cobra with the ID's in place of your name. He then gives them to the judgrors who rate them and give him the scores for these random ID's. Once all the entries are scored, Cobra will release the identities and scores and announce a winner.

haha that sounds like it would take an awful lot of time to rate all the arrangements. Btw, will we also get to know the score of each judge/get a feedback? Could i also be a judge?^^

^You can volunteer for the next round, if people want to have any. I'd be happy to host that one too, but I can't shell out for prizes after this round.

This is actually much more fun than I thought it would be! Are we following Cobra's countdown that he posted earlier, because the front of the thread says March 10th as the deadline, but it also says subject to change. Has anyone submitted theirs? (or am I not allowed to ask) XP

I thought it ended the 17th?

Contest ends on the 17th, at 6:00am GMT. That means you need to have your arrangement subitted by then. The timeline shifted because we started later than we originally intended.

Update!

For poll purposes, I'd please like everybody to make a title to their piece. It will give the piece more character, and make it easier to distinguish and remember which is which. The poll would look a little weird if I used the ID numbers as poll options, especially as the IDs aren't making the pieces easier to remember. Be creative!

If your title is the same as the name of the song you based your piece on, I will be forced to make a title for you. This can swing both ways.

Do they have to be in MUS format?

I'm asking because I have some Garritan sounds and such I'm probably going to use after I'm done arranging. I was thinking an audio file would be the best solution I could offer. I would provide an additional score as well.

I'm doing the same. I'd suggest to submit a regular MUS alongside the audio

Week 2 is now over! We have entered the final stretch, your arrangements are due by March 17th, at 6:00am GMT. Don't be late, I look foward to seeing what you all have done.

So um, Maestro...the judguring won't be anonymous to you at all, huh?

Well, no, short of me not judgror-ing it was to be expected, unless we split the submissions between us; i.e. I get half that includes yours, and you get the other half which includes mine.

Done! I'm so proud of myself. :3

Less than five days left! Now's the time to make your final adjustments and turn them in; don't risk missing the deadline, any product is better than no product. Don't forget that you must place your ID number in the "Arranged by" space, and turn in your submissions to Cobra, not me or the other judgrors. The clock is ticking...

Ugh my piece doesn't want to end....

Better end it quick, I don't feel like dancing forever..

XD Waltzs are a bit hard to end.

They are?

Well, some are. Waltzes typically, from what I know, don't really have high points, and so there's no real climax to end from.

Eh, depends on the composer, Strauss Jr. doesn't count because of his variety.

I don't think they're hard to end, I just said my piece didn't WANT to end. Finished, tho. Gonna go over it again b4 I submit it.

sorry guys I haven't contributed at all to this, I'm set for a recital on the 18th so I will do everything the day after. 

That should be fine, just don't drag your feet with the judgroring.

Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 15, 2012, 05:37:37 PMThat should be fine, just don't drag your feet with the judgroring.

That I won't.  I'll just dedicate two or three hours to it and boom done.  Er... how long does judgroring usually take?

Depends on the entry, some a quick and easy to figure out if they excelled or failed at something; others take a little digging to understand what they did.

One day left! So pumped for judging to begin! I bet my entry is a bit... extemporaneous. (Get the reference?)

Maestro--I was planning on doing this, but with a recital last weekend, my grandmother being town last week as well, and a piano competition tomorrow, I just won't be able to finish. Any chance I can be a judge instead?

Well, sure, I guess. Take my place, since I'm also a contestant, this would elimatinate any bias and keep the blind judging actually blind. Olimar wouldn't have to judge either unless he still wants to, but he was just planning to take my place for judging my entry. If there are any objections, voice them before the deadline, which is less than 36 hours from now.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 16, 2012, 11:40:54 AMMaestro--I was planning on doing this, but with a recital last weekend, my grandmother being town last week as well, and a piano competition tomorrow, I just won't be able to finish. Any chance I can be a judge instead?

Hehe. Now I have a chance of winning.

I still kinda wanna judge tho...

3 hours left! Yeah! EXCITEd! ;D ;D ;D

Well, I guess we can have four judges. Alright, I'll PM Cobra so he knows to send you the entries as well. I'll stay a judge and Olimar can be my fill-in.

And we are done! Ha! I beat you, Maestro/Cobra!  ;)

Did you?

Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 16, 2012, 11:07:44 PMDid you?

Timewise, yes. How will judging work?

Once the entries have been organized by Cobra, he'll send them to the judgrors to look over and post them here for the popular vote.

At any rate the contest is now...OVER!

If you haven't turned in your arrangements by now, sorry. If you're lucky Cobra will be kind and send them to us if they are an hour or two late.

It's still one hours left for the Samoans. Or 25, depending on whether you want the deadline to be "by midnight the 17th" or  "before the 17th".

I'll send out the sheets tomorrow. I've got only two submissions which were only a single .mus-file, so it might be a little tedious to organize.

In case you haven't named your piece yet, you have until tomorrow to come up with a title, or I will. This is for poll reasons. I can't have all the options being "The one based on...." or a bunch of random numbers.

Is Cobra one of the judges?

Nope. I'm merely organizing the entire shebang. I have my say in the process of making rules and criteria, but once they are cemented it's all up to others.

The judgrors have been sent the files.

Let's give them an hour or so to spot any eventual mistakes, before I put up the files in the thread.

Am I the only excited one for this?

no. The judgrors are excited too!

The sheets as submitted by the contestants are now up. Have a look at them!

You can, and should, vote too. Voting for yourself is discouraged, but nobody's going to check if you do.

Enjoy!

Whoops, I messed up. This was supposed to be a modification to the first post. Just ignore this and keep reading.

Out of curiosity, which three people didn't end up entering?

Quote from: Olimar12345 on March 18, 2012, 09:20:19 PMOut of curiosity, which three people didn't end up entering?

me, but i told you that already.

Yeah, but then that leaves two others...

Slow dropped out, I'm not sure who the other is.

Is there a tiny chance that the names have been added so it isn't as easy to guess who made what, perhaps?  ::)

Quote from: Cobraroll on March 19, 2012, 06:22:58 AMIs there a tiny chance that the names have been added so it isn't as easy to guess who made what, perhaps?  ::)

...I do not understand.

I voted wrong--I accidentally voted "Waltz On The Rails" before hearing two of the pieces. So you guys should take OFF that vote in your heads and put it on Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz. That one was easily the best imho. I'm surprised more people are voting for the oceanic museum :P

Quote from: Cobraroll on March 19, 2012, 06:22:58 AMIs there a tiny chance that the names have been added so it isn't as easy to guess who made what, perhaps?  ::)

I've got some good guesses...

I'm guessing Olimar did the Cave Story one...
Dahans prolly either Oceanic Museum or Mushroom Kingdom Waltz, I'm guessing Oceanic Museum because of the signature piano.

I'm kinda lost for the others.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 19, 2012, 08:38:39 AMI voted wrong--I accidentally voted "Waltz On The Rails" before hearing two of the pieces. So you guys should take OFF that vote in your heads and put it on Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz. That one was easily the best imho. I'm surprised more people are voting for the oceanic museum :P

Everyone has a different opinion and you should respect that, Slow.

I loved it, dahans, but it just seemed to me that so much more ambition went into the mushroom kingdom waltz.

Maybe I did it? ^^ I am just saying that you shouldn't tell people what to vote. You're not a politician^^.

I'm not telling people what to vote XD I accidentally voted the wrong one, so I'm saying that when looking at the poll know that the vote for the rail waltz was actually supposed to go on the mushroom one.

Can't you change your vote? I thought this would have been possible :/.

Afraid not. Don't know if it's a possible setting, even.

One of these pieces has stolen my heart... <3<3<3

Quote from: Cobraroll on March 19, 2012, 10:20:41 AMAfraid not. Don't know if it's a possible setting, even.

Just make a note of it.

@Everyone else: Maybe it's better to keep quiet about who we vote for or who wrote which piece. I know a lot of you can probably make a good guess, but the first time entries and new people might not. I think people would be more honest if they really didn't know xD

Quote from: dahans on March 19, 2012, 10:03:46 AMMaybe I did it? ^^ I am just saying that you shouldn't tell people what to vote. You're not a politician^^.

Hahaha, I found this ironic xD Like that Gingrich guy saying he'd build a moon base in his SECOND term as president, essentially asking people to vote for him twice. XD (let's not get political here though)

Quote from: Olimar12345 on March 19, 2012, 10:38:20 AMOne of these pieces has stolen my heart... <3<3<3

I'd really like to know which one, but I guess it's the jazzy one, right?^^

I'm not tellin'. You will see when they reveal my judgurering.

Oh I forgot! You're a judge! Ok, I understand... CMON JUDGES HURRY UP xD

BTW Whomever did the Super Mario RPG piece should proofread their program notes...

EDIT: Finished judging.

Quote from: dahans on March 19, 2012, 12:38:38 PMOh I forgot! You're a judge! Ok, I understand... CMON JUDGES HURRY UP xD

Hey I submitted all my judging several hours ago. And most of it was submitted yesterday.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 19, 2012, 04:41:46 PMHey I submitted all my judging several hours ago. And most of it was submitted yesterday.

If only the other judges were as quick as you...

I will start judging RIGHT NOW, since the expectations for judging seems to have risen. 

Man, these are all so lovely. D: I don't know which one to pick!

They all are really good! But the jazz one is different...

The only one that didn't work was the Curly Swing... which is a shame. :C The others were lovely. There was one on there I DEFINITELY would waltz to with someone XD

I thought they were all wonderfully lovely, even the Curly Swing. It was just a different style. I am partial to grand sweeping waltzes, though, with bouncing strings and flying flutes that just carry you through the piece.

I personally thought that the Mushroom Kingdom thing was a bit too long. Not to be a pessimist or anything, but I don't think that I'd want to waltz for that long of a time. The Fairy Fountain waltz was pretty cool, as was the Waltz on the Rails. Mad Monster was a bit cliché, but nevertheless cool. Oceanic was... meh. Pretty good, as was the signature piano. ;) Jazz... meh. Kinda works?

^Thus we all know which submission is yours, insane.

I have to admit, I wasn't expecting this much variety with the submissions. We have two orchestral waltzes, one for jazz band, one for string quartet, and one for piano. If only somebody arranged a waltz for organ, then the contest would've been complete. I can't wait to see who wins and gets all of the glory...which reall just amounts to bragging rights for a few weeks.

Quote from: Dudeman on March 19, 2012, 06:50:49 PM^Thus we all know which submission is yours, insane.

Totally.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 19, 2012, 06:26:39 PMI thought they were all wonderfully lovely, even the Curly Swing. It was just a different style. I am partial to grand sweeping waltzes, though, with bouncing strings and flying flutes that just carry you through the piece.

^This

What would've made Curly Swing a strong competitor was if it was longer, had variations, and was slightly more virtuosic.  That's basically all that it was missing. 

I agree with Maestro the variety of submissions is great.

Just finished judgroring. 

The variety was pretty cool. What would have made this even cooler was some sort of electronic thing. Ballroom + laser lights = epicness.

But waltzes are supposed to be more elegant. XD Or maybe I'm just old fashioned that way.

Ballroom techno waltzing...pftt..

Arrrrgh. SO ANXIOUS! Which judgrors still have to finish?

Quote from: Nebbles on March 19, 2012, 06:06:27 PMThe only one that didn't work was the Curly Swing... which is a shame. :C The others were lovely. There was one on there I DEFINITELY would waltz to with someone XD

What didn't you like about it? Or better yet, what "didn't work"?

by now i think everyone knows the arranger of each piece^^. Insaneintherain... What didnt you like about the oceanic museum or the jazzy one?

Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 19, 2012, 07:37:02 PMWe have two orchestral waltzes, one for jazz band, one for string quartet, and one for piano.

No, it's one symphony, one Piano concerto, and then one for jazz band, one for string quartet, and one for piano. 

Quote from: dahans on March 19, 2012, 10:33:42 PMby now i think everyone knows the arranger of each piece^^. Insaneintherain... What didnt you like about the oceanic museum or the jazzy one?

Not saying that I didn't love either of them, but there were a few things in the Oceanic Museum that kind of interrupted my "waltz" mode, such as the pauses, but that was the only thing. I didn't really like the minor section, but I guess that's developing the main melody. It was pretty epic, though. I feel that more time could have been put in the Jazz one, but it's very different from the others.

I felt like it strayed too far from the original melody.

Who hasn't judgrored yet?!?

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 20, 2012, 06:05:56 PMWho hasn't judgrored yet?!?

^This

Quote from: Raymondbl on March 20, 2012, 06:18:27 PM^This

Well, lets do the math. raymondbl, slow and myself have judged, which means Dudeman and Maestro need to hurry up!

Quote from: Olimar12345 on March 20, 2012, 08:01:43 PMWell, lets do the math. raymondbl, slow and myself have judged, which means Dudeman and Maestro need to hurry up!

Let's hope they finish pretty soon. *cough*dude*cough*

Dude and dudeman are completely different people!

Quote from: Jub3r7 on March 20, 2012, 08:47:48 PMDude and dudeman are completely different people!

Yeah, dude.

I've got in three sets of judgrements. That means that only Dudeman hasn't handed in yet. And we have to let the poll run for a few days as well.

Patience, people!

*tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock*

Quote from: MaestroUGC on March 24, 2012, 04:42:03 PM*tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock* *tick* *tock*

My thoughts exactly.

If we are only waiting for one person, can we get a cut-off date so we can find out the scores?

What about April 1st?

I got a PM a couple of days ago indicating that judgring was in the works.

After receiving them, I'll have to figure out what to do with all the numbers I've received from the judgrors. Averages by category seems like a neat way of doing it. I can't just sum all the points from the judgrors, seeing as a couple of them have sheets of their own in there, so some sheets are only rated thrice. The ski-jumping solution of slashing the highest and lowest scores would be no good either.

...but is it really going to take another week just to do that?

Okay, all judgrors have handed in. We'll see for how long I'll let the poll run. If you haven't voted yet, do it!

I'm kinda stuck with school work today, but have high hopes of getting some spare time tomorrow. Will do the data mining and Excel work then. When I've arrived at a conclusion, it'll be posted. Sounds good?

I wish I had the time to enter contests like this! Sadly, getting the highest ATAR score requires maximum study time. XD

Well, I had three songs that I listened to last night that really stood out. They were all really good, but one shone above the rest.

#3 - Waltz on the Rails
I jolly-well know who did this, despite your efforts to cover up the arrangers. By far, this is my favourite song from Spirit Tracks and this waltz was very well done. I thought the effect of the strings was great, but you could've given the piece a bit more 'oomph' with the use of other instruments of different classes. Overall, the piece was brilliant! Well done!

#2 - Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz
I've never played this game before, but after listening to this I want to play it! I know who arranged this one too. WELL, I'm amazed by the sheer amount of instruments used and the sheer amount of bars (600+). The variations throughout the piece give it lovely colour and contrast, and the melodies and harmonies were just beautiful. I would, however, like to criticise the length of the piece. I must admit, by the time I reached the 25th page, I was wondering when it was going to finish!!! Still, very well done! You would've gotten my vote if not for the next arrangement. :P

#1 - Oceanic Museum Waltz
I love this song. The original uses piano and a little bit of strings; you've captured the mood so well! I think the blend of instruments and the piano just make the piece sing!! The piano is by far the cream on the top! The little melodies you've added make it sound divine and the fact that the piano still has its solo moments is just perfect. The major to minor was very effective, I must say, and is an excellent way to keep your audience captured. AMAZING JOB!! :D

that's exactly the order I would've put them, and most of the comments are the same.

Quote from: fingerz on March 26, 2012, 01:56:12 PMI wish I had the time to enter contests like this! Sadly, getting the highest ATAR score requires maximum study time. XD

Well, I had three songs that I listened to last night that really stood out. They were all really good, but one shone above the rest.

#3 - Waltz on the Rails
I jolly-well know who did this, despite your efforts to cover up the arrangers. By far, this is my favourite song from Spirit Tracks and this waltz was very well done. I thought the effect of the strings was great, but you could've given the piece a bit more 'oomph' with the use of other instruments of different classes. Overall, the piece was brilliant! Well done!

#2 - Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz
I've never played this game before, but after listening to this I want to play it! I know who arranged this one too. WELL, I'm amazed by the sheer amount of instruments used and the sheer amount of bars (600+). The variations throughout the piece give it lovely colour and contrast, and the melodies and harmonies were just beautiful. I would, however, like to criticise the length of the piece. I must admit, by the time I reached the 25th page, I was wondering when it was going to finish!!! Still, very well done! You would've gotten my vote if not for the next arrangement. :P

#1 - Oceanic Museum Waltz
I love this song. The original uses piano and a little bit of strings; you've captured the mood so well! I think the blend of instruments and the piano just make the piece sing!! The piano is by far the cream on the top! The little melodies you've added make it sound divine and the fact that the piano still has its solo moments is just perfect. The major to minor was very effective, I must say, and is an excellent way to keep your audience captured. AMAZING JOB!! :D

That's pretty much my thoughts but I'd put them in a different order

what order?

Mushroom Kingdom as #1, Waltz On The Rails as #2, and maybe Oceanic Museum or Curly Swing as #3. The others were equally good besides Fairy Fountain which I personally didn't care for that much.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 28, 2012, 10:47:36 AMMushroom Kingdom as #1, Waltz On The Rails as #2, and maybe Oceanic Museum or Curly Swing as #3. The others were equally good besides Fairy Fountain which I personally didn't care for that much.

Waltz on the rails didn't work for me because of the lack of good percussion and beat. 

Sometimes strings are all a piece requires for me. And that piece in particular, in my opinion at least, worked really well like that. The pizzicato strings gave it a light, bouncy feel. I understand where you're coming though. I'm slightly biased because I think strings are the most beautiful instrument. :P

Sorry, I know this is a bit off topic... Is there any chance I could be a judge for the next Arrangement Contest? I don't have time to arrange for these comps, but I do have time to judge. XD

^Sure, no problem! Some day, we'll poll the enthusiasm for another contest, and potential judgrors can sign up if we decide to do it.

Results will be up later today, as I'm not sure if I have time to do it tomorrow. Is that OK for everyone?

A week ago would have been OK for everyone....

^that.
Seeing the arrangements posted here, I won't stand a chance if I were to compete, so I might as well stay a judgror.

AAAAAND the stuff you've all waited for! The results!

Thank you all so much for participating, judgring or voting in this round. We had six amazing entries, five clever judgrors (one of which opted to leave the judgror panel, letting another take his place), nineteen voters and lots of fun. Right?


On to the good stuff: Technical details about the scoring system!
Each of the four judgrors had his say about every piece, except from the one judgror who had a piece of his own in the contest and therefore only rated the five others. Each category, as shown in the first post of this topic, yielded up to ten points. For each sheet, the scores in each category were averaged, and the averages in each category were summed to give a Judgrors' score from 4 to 40. In addition, the results of the poll were added in Mario Kart-style at the end. The piece with the highest number of votes was awarded ten points for popular vote. The second highest score got 8 points, the third 6, two got 4 points and the last one got 2. These score points were added to the Judgror's score, making the theoretical upper point limit 50 points, and the theoretical lowest 5 points (seeing as the sixth place in the poll would have gotten 1 point hadn't two shared the second last place).
Please note that there is one case of inconsistency between the poll and the scores: I got a PM from a guy who had voted for the wrong piece, this was fixed when the results were compiled and the points handed out.

Anyway, now you're probably hungry for the results, right?

Good.

In sixth place, with 30.5 points: Clanker 37 with "Mad Monster Waltz"!

Fifth place is given to a sheet with 35.5 points: Bespinben's "Waltz of the Faeries"!

Fourth place is awarded to, with 38.75 points, MaestroUGC's "Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz"!

Third place goes to, 41 points: Insaneintherain and his "Curly's Swing"!

***DRUM ROLL***

Finishing Second, being the judgrors' favourite by a hair's breadth:


44 points:



"Waltz on the rails" by Olimar12345!



***MORE DRUMS ROLLING***




****PIN DROP TEST TO MEASURE THE SUSPENSION****

Pin dropped


****DRUM ROLL GUY GETTING TIRED****




****MICROPHONE CORD FAILING****





With 45.75 points, Dahans' "Oceanic Museum Waltz"!

****MASSIVE APPLAUSE!****

Please do note that the difference in points between the two first places is smaller than the point advantage Dahans got by winning the poll. Only a quarter of a point separated the top two entries before the poll was accounted for. That being said, Dahans won the poll by a small landslide.

Well done, everybody!

---

As we're all for transparency and such, here are the results as handed in directly from the judgrors. The poll results can be read just above this:

Quote from: Judgror_AWaltz On The Rails
1. Orchestration: 9/10 – While simplistic and limited, the use of only strings fit the tone of the piece wonderfully. The arranger used pizzicato well to change up the feel of the piece occasionally.

2. Preservation: 10/10 – Has great variations on the original song without ever becoming too radical.

3. Creativity: 9/10 – The arranger switches between bouncy and moody with great variation—none of it feels choppy or forced. There is great transitioning. He also did not simply use the instruments in the song.

4. Criteria: 10/10 – All criteria are met.

Final Comments:
I really enjoyed listening to this. The arranger was never boring. He showed great ambition and managed to make a piece go on for some time without ever becoming too repetitive or simple. The piece was not overdone, nor was it underdone. Aside from a purposefully limited orchestration, the arranger struck a great balance.
Overall (not an average): 9.5/10

Mad Monster Waltz
1. Orchestration: 9.5/10 – A broad and wonderful range of instruments. Mallets and pizzicato strings add playfulness, while the pipe organ was fantastically used. The organ, in particular, was not overused—the arranger relied on other factors to make the song "creepy." The violin I was never used, instead putting all violin notes on violin II.

2. Preservation: 10/10 – Has great variations on the original piece.

3. Creativity: 8.5/10 – Did not simply use the original melody—rather, he built upon and altered it. The piece was thoroughly enjoyable, albeit a bit repetitive with the brass parts. The tremolos with the mallets, in particular, made me smile while listening. The glockenspiel was a bit repetitive at times and other aspects of the melody felt "recycled" and was a bit repetitive.

4. Criteria: 10/10 – All criteria are met.

Final Comments: A well-executed piece that nicely reflected the original while also showing some ambition and creativity. I really enjoyed listening to this. My biggest complaint is that it was a bit repetitive—and it also repeated, making the song a lengthy five-odd minutes. I'd take out the repeat.
Overall (not an average): 8.5/10

Oceanic Museum – Waltz
1. Orchestration: 9.5/10 – A fantastic symphony of instruments. My only complaints here is that it seemed occasionally as though it was simply having some sections of the orchestra play separately rather than altogether at once, making it feel as though it was just a series of variations played by different, smaller ensembles; as well as the piano parts being extremely difficult. o_O

2. Preservation: 7.5/10 – It was a great, creative piece, but was very radical and even included a minor section, straying greatly from the piece at times. The original was supposed to be soothing, and this occasionally seems like a frenzied, powerful variation—great on its own but contrasting to the original.

3. Creativity: 10/10 – The arranger shows wonderful creativity and variety in this piece, making an already pretty piece even more beautiful, though at times dark.

4. Criteria: 10/10 – All criteria are met.

Final Comments: A wonderful piece. This was nearly awe-inspiring to see. The minor section strikes me as ambitious, but did not fit well with the rest of the piece. Indeed, my biggest complaint is that although the original theme is obviously referenced, half of the song was just too radical for me. It seemed as though the arranger was trying to outshine the original rather than reference it. That being said, it was a fantastic piece as it was in my opinion the most creative of the bunch.
Overall (not an average): 9/10

Zelda – Fairy Fountain Waltz
1. Orchestration: 5/10 – I'm fine with piano solos, but this would have been 10x better if it had had a piano alongside another instrument. The two layers on the right hand of the piano are practically impossible and don't complement each other that well. If the second layer had been altered a bit and performed by a violin or flute, for instance, it would have been more successful.

2. Preservation: 10/10 – It sounds nearly identical to the original piece.

3. Creativity: 5/10 – It sounds nearly identical to the original piece. In addition, it sounds quite similar to Ciela's Parting Words (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTGTVG3Wz7M), a version of the same theme found in Phantom Hourglass which is already in waltz format. In this way, it doesn't really add much to the piece at all.

4. Criteria: 8/10 – It did take the original piece—but a version of the theme as a waltz already exists, as pointed out above.

Final Comments: This piece was not bad. It just was not outstanding. The second layer had some strange notes and got quite annoying at times. In addition, it didn't strike me as overly creative and I found myself skipping the second repeat and going straight to the ending.
Overall (not an average): 6/10

Quote from: Judgror_ASMRPG Waltz
1. Orchestration: 11/10 (10) – Amazing orchestration here. In total, a whopping 28 instruments. In fact, it was so many that it made my Finale freeze when it tried to play one of the sections. I was forced to export it as a midi and listen to that. And everything very effective.

2. Preservation: 10/10 – The original songs are quite obvious. And it all sounds quite nice.

3. Creativity: 10/10 – I don't even know if I need to say anything here. An amazingly talented person created this arrangement.

4. Criteria: 10/10 – Besides the "more than one song" thing, all criteria are met.

Final Comments:
A wonderful piece. At a crazily lengthy 12 minutes and 50 seconds, it was by far the longest piece, but it never felt boring. Every second of the music was worthwhile. I wholeheartedly enjoyed it. My personal favorite.
Overall: 10/10

Curly Swing
1. Orchestration: 10/10 – A bit smaller than other entries, but this is exactly what a jazzy piece needs. The vibes were awesome.

2. Preservation: 10/10 – As soon as I heard the opening notes, I knew what the song was. And, that song being one of my favorite game pieces of all time, it does the original a great reference.

3. Creativity: 9/10 – Great technique, but differs very little from the original composition.

4. Criteria: 10/10 – All criteria are met.

Final comments:
A fantastically catchy remix of an already great song. ^_^ Obviously a lot of effort went into it. I really think this arranger did a great job.
Overall: 9.5/10

---

And with this, I need to ask a favor. I hastily voted "Waltz On The Rails" in your poll before seeing your pm. I now wish to vote for SMRPG. Could you either reset the poll or just figuratively take away a vote for Rails and put it on SMRPG?

Quote from: Judgror_BHere's my judguroringasfkmp;kfm of the pieces:

Zelda - Fairy Fountain Waltz (Waltz of the Faeries)

1) Orchestration: 7. I feel that this piece is a pretty good choice for piano, but more could have been done with it.
2) Preservation: 9. It is very clear that its "Fairy Fountain".
3) Creativity: 1. Ever play wind waker? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO1QBbfdqIg)
4) Criteria: 5. Half credit since you waltzified it. More points would have been given if it was more original.

Final comments: I enjoyed it-it was a nice little solo, but again it's too close to that wind waker version.
(My guess is Brassman388)
Score: 22/40

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Waltz_on_the_Rails - My piece

---

Mad Monster Waltz

1) Orchestration: 1. Very poor job, see my comments in the "Final Comments" section.
2) Preservation: 4. It did still sound like the original, at the least.
3) Creativity: 2. Nothing too out of the ordinary, the key changes were a neat idea, but the key choices were odd imo.
4) Criteria: 5. You "Waltzified" it. 5 for average, though.

Final Comments: Okay, there were LOTS of orchestration problems. I'll list them:
-Many instruments have only a very small part to play in the piece-Why pay that player for only a couple bars of playing?
-Anything below E natural cannot be played on a straight trombone.(Always assume that they won't bring a trigger) If you need that sound, write it for bass Trombone.
-The Timpani player(I guarantee) only has two hands. Triads and bigger aren't happening. (and quite frankly two rolls at once is kind of much...I've never seen that before...)
-The Glockenspiel only has a 2 and a half octave range...which you've managed to exceed.
-Your Trumpet tends to get up there, you're asking a lot in that ending...
-ONLY keyboard instruments can do rolled chords. That last measure is trash, basically.
-Your Violin II part is not going to happen. Triple stops aren't easy, and there aren't very many that are possible. You can't just honk out every chord as a triple stop... I guarantee that isn't going to be played.
-Is that pizz. part in the 1st violin part supposed to be there? *sees the arco* oh... 'cus I can't hold a plucked note for 5 beats...
-There are 81 extra measures. This is not acceptable!

nit-picky things:
-The organ has measures of rests that are notated weird(1&9).
-The flute's grace notes should be beamed together.
-Why does the organ have three staves? I don't play or write for the organ, and didn't count it against you, but is that normal?
-Key changes should have double bars.
-Measure 106 the flute & trumpet have a half note and an 8th rest. This makes no sense. (Measure 90 for the horn)
-Generally musicians don't like to read double sharps/flats. That doesn't mean they're bad, just try to avoid their excessive use.
(My guess is Clanker37)

Score: 12/40 and that's being generous.

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Oceanic museum-Waltz

1) Orchestration: 6. For the most part, things worked. There are problems, though. (See "Final Comments")
2) Preservation: 9. It is clear that you have done the Ocean Museum theme. No question about it.
3) Creativity: 5. It seemed a bit too average to me...I dunno... It didn't leave an impression; It's almost like I completely forget it once the piece is over...
4) Criteria: 9. Not perfect, but damn close to it. You have "Waltzified" it.

Final Comments: You had some orchestration issues:
-You need to put the number of instruments that are playing on a staff on the 1st page. (ex. Flutes 1&2, Horns 1-4). This is usually required. (helps gauge how many players you need)
-I'd recommend combining the triangle staff with the cymbal. It's common to do that for percussion parts and saves you paper.
-The Clarinet and Oboe tend to get up there. Just sayn'.
-Low flute parts won't be heard over the band-remember that.
-Key changes should have double bars.
-Fermatas need to be written in EVERY part. What happens when you print and pass out the parts? Only one person will know what you're doing, lol.
-Your piano part is hard-and it should be. Just keep it playable, though. Measures that look like 46 scare me...
-The 1st note in measure 90 is too low for viola. Ain't happenin.
-You have written your contrabass part too low. Their biggest string is E1, and on some occasions C1(and on fewer occasions, low B0). Yours is frequently down there, which isn't a problem, but all of those Bb's and A's aren't possible. (which is a problem)
(My guess is dahans)
Score: 29/40

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Curly's Swing

1) Orchestration: 4. I'm a fan of the big band! Nice choice! However, you have crucial orchestration issues, which I will list in the "Final Comments" section.
2) Preservation: 9. You did fantastic! I can hear the original just fine. The ONLY reason you didn't get a 10 was because you didn't incorporate that last section of the song(My favorite part!). But don't change your piece just because of that-it's fine the way it is.
3) Creativity: 8. Very creative little jazz waltz! I liked how you fit the rhythms into 3/4. I absolutely loved the little trumpet solo! Nice song choice and well execution. 10 would have been awarded if everything wasn't a soli!
4) Criteria: 8. You have succeeded in waltzifying it, and stealing my heart! <3

Final Comments: Orchestration issues:
- Every melodic part was a soli-where are the harmonies? You always have all four saxes/trombones/trumpets playing in unison...
- Your score is...odd(PDF). It should say Alto sax 1, Trumpet in Bb 3, not just Alto Saxophone Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Tenor Saxophone. (And why are the Trumpets names written bigger?)
-Usually I prefer to keep the original key signature of a piece, but this song would have been an exception... I would much prefer to read this in an easier key! I like my E's to be either natural or flat! Lol.
-I would recommend writing a fourth trombone(bass) and a guitar part. These are common for big bands.
-A few nit-picky things: Page numbers go at the top, you need a solid double bar line at the end, at times the bass guitar line collides with the copyright info, Title page seems more like just the missing top of page 1 than an actual title page, and I would write the last measure for piano with one fermata over the tremolo-two can cause confusion.
(My guess is insaneuntherain)
Score: 29/40

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Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz

1) Orchestration: 10. Obviously you know your shit, which makes my job a hell of a lot easier. The instrumentation choices were fine and the orchestration was executed well. I'd recommend raising some of the tuba's part a bit at times, but I don't think it was too much of a problem. It all seems playable.
2) Preservation: 8. You've preserved the original pieces almost too well, which actually ended up hurting you elsewhere in the judging.
3) Creativity: 2. You set the piece up pretty well in the program notes, but it wasn't that fun to listen to. Out of the 772 measures, you only needed probably 350 of them. Catch my drift? You don't need to repeat every little part of the piece just because that's how the original went. For example: parts like 98-114. Did you really need to honk out that rhythm all six times? And if so, did you have to keep it the same rhythm? The answer to that riddle is no: this is an arrangement contest, not a transcription contest. State the melody and then entertain me with it. This is where I think you didn't do too well. I was not entertained.
4) Criteria: 3. It doesn't sound like a waltz to me. All I hear is a familiar song, shoved into 3/4 time. Where's the waltz feel? Where's the dotted quarter-eighth-quarter, "Waltzy" rhythm? To me it felt like just a piece in 3/4.

Final Comments: It was too long and didn't keep my(the audience's)attention. I often felt like I was waiting for the next song to enter rather that listening to what was musically going on.
(My guess is MaestroUGC)
Score: 23/40

Quote from: Judgror_CI'm done.  Here it is -




172314 "Waltz of the Faeries"
1)   Orchestration: 4 -  It would have been nice to have other instruments, but just piano also works.  You did some nice chord changes (love the bit of dissonance) but you didn't really do anything outside of chord changes and the two note groups.

2)   Preservation: 8 -  You keep the melody and rhythm exactly the same, but you left out the beautiful arpeggios in favor of the two note groups, which would be worth a point.

3)   Creativity: 4 - Sorry for the low score, but I really feel that it was not very creative.  Every beat becomes a whole bar, which is easy to do, and then you replaced the arpeggios with two note groups, which was not overly creative since not much happened to the two note groups.  I like how you added the ending though. 

4)   Criteria: 9 - You met the technical criteria well enough, except for the beginning.   

Other Comments:  I like the dissonance in your chords, and your ending.  If you could've been just a bit creative I would've given you a better score. 


280268 "Waltz on the Rails"

1)   Orchestration: 6 – Pure strings, and no percussion, which might be because you don't know how to note percussion score (I don't know how either!)  Though, I feel it would've been better with percussion.  Of course, you added pizzicato, which the .mus score would not translate into sound.  Also, the melody was not very apparent at the beginning.  The strings you did nice though.  I feel like this might be a 3.5 instead of a 3, but don't want to complicate things.

2)   Preservation: 9 – You keep the melody almost the same, and the rhythm was changed, but that's not bad.  Also you didn't preserve the original mood – maybe you should've set the tempo faster.  However the mood might also have been affected by the no pizzicato, annoyance on Finale's part. 

3)   Creativity: 7 – The strings are good together, and the rhythm was adapted nicely. I think you had nice variation.
 
4)   Criteria: 10 – Yep.
 
Other Comments:  I think you did a good job on this one.  The only complaint is lack of percussive sounds and the resulting change of mood.  Gotta hate Finale for the pizzicato. 

005601 "Oceanic Museum – Waltz"

1)   Orchestration: 10 – Full range of instruments.  You made excellent use of most all of them.  Piano is beautiful.  It sounds kind of like a concerto.

2)   Preservation: 9 – You preserve the melody fair enough, and though you sometimes divert to another melody of your own making, that's not bad at all and I think you included just the right amount of original melody and your own things. 

3)   Creativity: 10 – no doubt about it.  Good orchestral score, nice use of the piano, I think it's awesome. 

4)   Criteria: 10 – Do you even need to ask?

Other Comments:  All around excellent entry.  No complaints at all.  Your use of brilliance, the top little flute things, and the piano, is very impressive.  Good job. One of the best entries.


006286 "Mad Monster Waltz"

1)   Orchestration: 8 – You used good orchestration, but you didn't have too many super-creative things.  I think it's good, but a little more "flair" would be nice.  I think you used three threads, the melody, the middle accompanying notes, and the bass.  I would have added one or two more, such as ones for embellishments or inner melodies. 

2)   Preservation: 7 – You didn't include some of the inner/in-this-case-outer melodies, but otherwise it's fine.
 
3)   Creativity: 7 – not too creative.  As far as I can hear there wasn't much more than what was already in the score, and some in the score you left out.  Sorry, but I'm an honest judgror!  Not that the others aren't.

4)   Criteria: 10 – of course. 

Other comments:   Not much.  I think you did good, but not good enough to be the best.

 
330994 "Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz"

1)   Orchestration: 10 – Fantastic orchestration,  pretty creative, and very symphonic.  Nice use of percussion,

2)   Preservation: 8 – To be honest, I didn't flip through the YouTube videos very much, but it seems alright from the couple of videos I've seen. 

3)   Creativity: 8 – I think you could've been a bit more creative in the bass line.  Also, while the score is itself deep, there isn't a lot of creative flair, which I guess is a setback for people arranging in this style.  It was still a good amount creative, but with preservation an issue, there isn't much melodic creativity you can indulge in, so again, a setback. 

4)   Criteria: 10 – Hm.....

Other comments:  I think this is one of the best arrangements I've seen in this competition.  If this doesn't win, I think it still deserves a prize, for the mostly deep score and a fair amount of creativity.  Great work!


206457 "Curly Swing"

1)   Orchestration: 7 – not a big orchestration, but for this jazzy-typish piece I thinkt here's not much else we can add.  It would've been hard to add other instruments, but I think it's possible. 

2)   Preservation: 8 – Melody is the same, rhythm is changed.  I don't think it sounds as good as the original, but it's still good, and you preserved it fairly well.

3)   Creativity: 8 – Good creativity with the melody, and decent with the instruments. 

4)   Criteria: 10 – yeah....

Other comments:  You did great, I think it's perfect for the style of piece this is.  The only thing holding it back is that it's not very "big," as in a big long piece with slightly virtuosic elements, even with the jazzy style.




My favorite is the Oceanic Museum - Waltz. 

Quote from: Judgror_DCurly's Swing

1) Orchestration: 10 (Definitely fits the jazzy style of the original, with appropriate instruments.)
2) Preservation: 10 (It sounds like every note from the original has been included.)
3) Creativity: 9 (Added riffs on the trumpets and saxes give it some originality, but pretty basic.)
4) Criteria: 10 (Jazz waltz--I see no problem here.)

Great overall feel; would perfectly suit a jazz dance.

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Mushroom Kingdom Folk Waltz

1) Orchestration: 10 (Nice use of different styles of instruments for each section of the medley.)
2) Preservation: 10 (Nicely done, with excellent expansion on the original instruments.)
3) Creativity: 10 (Reading this arranger's text file really showed how much thought was put into this. Not to mention the above instrument expansion.)
4)Criteria: 10 (It's a waltz...that's all the criteria there is.)

The first time I heard this, I thought, "wow." Great job to...ID No. 330994!

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Mad Monster Waltz

1) Orchestration: 7 (Great creepy feeling, but some instruments are questionable for the feel. Also sounds a bit too close to the original.)
2) Preservation: 10 (As said before, pretty close to the original.)
3) Creativity: 5 (Not much expansion from the original, if any.)
4) Criteria: 10 (It's in 3/4...)

More could've been done on this arrangement, but it's good nonetheless.

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Oceanic Museum-Waltz

1) Orchestration: 9 (Very waltz-y and relaxing, like it should be, plus it's more than the original. Although I object a little to the piano solos thrown in at random.)
2) Preservation: 10 (Nicely preserved and very recognizable.)
3) Creativity: 10 (Nice breaks from the original theme.)
4) Criteria: 9 (Only making it 9 because the first few measures of the original are in 3/4.)

I have a pretty good idea who made this one...::)

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Waltz on the Rails

1) Orchestration: 8 (Eh...it could be a bit more full. A string quartet isn't quite enough for this piece's feel in my opinion.)
2) Preservation: 10 (Nicely done with the conversion from 4/4 to 3/4.)
3) Creativity: 10 (Although I may object, he did pretty well with just a string quartet.)
4) Criteria: 10 (Can't this category be a bit harder to judge?)

Love the original, and 280268 did very well converting it.

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Waltz of the Faeries

1) Orchestration: 9 (It's just for piano (downside), but it retains the magical feel of the original.)
2) Preservation: 8 (Main melody is nicely kept, but the left-hand alternating chords just don't sound right.)
3) Creativity: 8 (Left hand chords as stated before, but that's just about it.)
10) Criteria: 10 (For obvious reasons.)

Is it just me, or does this remind me of World 3 from Super Mario Bros. 3?

I've even compiled it into an Excel sheet for you. Here you go!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61044072/AC2/ArrContest2Scores.xls

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Thank you all for participating, on some level! Discussion about future rounds can take place in the Brainstorming Topic.
Dahans can contact me to claim the prize.

And now: The epilogue that nobody reads!

***
Toadsworth lifts his conductor's baton, and turns towards the orchestra gathered on the podium. The strings of Slateport Philharmony begin playing a version of the city museum's anthem, which itself was based on a melody from an advert for cruises with the SS Anne. To the tune of salty sea and calm waves, the video game characters dance into the evening. Happy belated new year, video game characters!

You may now discuss.

Alright. Third place. Pretty nice.

Damn. Congratz, Dahans!

Great job everyone!

Maestro deserves a higher place than 4th imo. The point margins between each place were fairly small though, so I guess it really just boiled down to popular vote :/

I can't believe that there are so many 10/10's in the judging. I only gave out 1 perfect rating in one of the categories, out of ALL of the pieces. Were things that perfect, judgrors? 6/10 is above average, 8's and 9's are fantastic, but 10/10 should be perfect(meaning flawless)...

On top of the list of things to fix for an eventual next round - more well-defined "criteria" scoring. Most of the judgrors gave close to straight 10s all over.

As well as bonus points for creative titles. We should implement that somehow, so that not everything ends up being named "X Polka" or something similiar.

Thanks a lot! I am really proud of myself right now, I think I did quite a good job! Thanks for supporting me :).

Eh Maestro was robbed, deserved way better than he got.

Also in response to one of the judgrors, the lack of percussion in waltz on the rails didn't detract at all, and Olimar definitely knows how to notate it. It sounded fantastic the way it was.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on March 31, 2012, 07:11:51 PMAlso in response to one of the judgrors, the lack of percussion in waltz on the rails didn't detract at all, and Olimar definitely knows how to notate it. It sounded fantastic the way it was.

This. And generally string quartets don't have percussion...

Yes! I exceeded my expectations! :D

Hmm, Fourth, damn. I knew Dahans was going to be my toughest competition, my hat's off to you. Just wondering, how were the votes tallied? I saw some of the judgrors gave a score for each criteria, one gave a general average for each arrangement, one gave a grand total. Factor in the popular vote and...?

It seems length was my main problem, which I assumed it would be. I guess I stuck a little too close to Strauss in form I guess, oh well.

The popular vote was added in "Mario Kart" style, with the piece with the most votes getting 10 points, the second got 8, and so on. I thought I had explained it in my post, but oh well. I don't think the results would have been different if the votes were applied directly, giving one point each.

Congrats, Dahans! :D And good job to everyone else who entered.

thnx maestro and nebbles, cant wait for the next round ^^

Ok, I see. Well, other than what I think was a loaded panel (10's for everyone!), we now know what we are doing if we do this again. Seriously, I mean yeah, there was a great amount of quality presented here, but ithink we have a case where people didn't quite realize what was asked of the contestants once they saw the final products. If we do this again, I think it should be around May/June, when we are out for summer, or most of us anyway.

Yes, some of the scores are a bit too high... Can you guess which judgror I am?

I'm thinking either C or D, most likely D. Or A, but most likely D, or not.

It's whichever one complained about the percussion thing

I think popular vote and general laziness did me in.

Quote from: Clanker37 on March 31, 2012, 07:48:59 PMYes! I exceeded my expectations! :D

... .__.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on April 01, 2012, 08:33:15 PM... .__.

Is that even possible?

Yeah, I tanked on the popular vote as well, but I can't complain, I voted for Dahans as well.

wow you have voted for me? That is a real honor for me, thanks a lot.

I thought yours was the best, plus I wasn't going to vote for myself.

Quote from: SlowPokemon on April 01, 2012, 08:33:15 PM... .__.

I expected to be so bad that Cobra would look at it and be like "WTF if this shit?" and reject me :3

Quote from: Clanker37 on April 02, 2012, 12:49:33 AMI expected to be so bad that Cobra would look at it and be like "WTF if this shit?" and reject me :3

Wow. Maybe raise the bar?

Cobra had no say in what was submitted, he just compiled and redirected the arrangements to the judges.

Quote from: Cobraroll on April 01, 2012, 01:39:34 AMThe popular vote was added in "Mario Kart" style, with the piece with the most votes getting 10 points, the second got 8, and so on. I thought I had explained it in my post, but oh well. I don't think the results would have been different if the votes were applied directly, giving one point each.

Sounds like maybe a rubric style scoring could be used next time, it might help with the scores being too close to full points. Not to be really mean, but if something is 1/5 of your expectations, you should just give them that...

Based on that I would totally edit my judging. I just don't want to hurt peoples' feelings.

The point of being a judge is to assign a score based entirely on what was presented, not on what that might implicate. I think only one person actually did that this time around.

Lol, did anyone else notice that Maestro and I kept our names in the file info?

Quote from: MaestroUGC on April 02, 2012, 07:40:27 PMThe point of being a judge is to assign a score based entirely on what was presented, not on what that might implicate. I think only one person actually did that this time around.

who?

Quote from: Olimar12345 on March 31, 2012, 02:33:32 PMI only gave out 1 perfect rating in one of the categories, out of ALL of the pieces.

Who indeed...

I don't know, my initial expectations were pretty low.  I didn't expect this community to be so talented.

^we aren't...

Quote from: SlowPokemon on April 04, 2012, 07:47:01 AM^we aren't...

That's a dirty lie.

You all are amazing.

Well done, Dahans! Awesome job there, and to everyone else! You all did a fabulous job! :D

thank you ^^ my opponents were really tough.

Links are borked for me. Repost?