Richard Eteson
Arranger
Richard started arranging music for voices whilst at Shrewsbury School, winning several school a cappella singing competitions in the process.
In his time singing and touring with The Swingles he wrote arrangements that were performed around the world and recorded on CD by the group.
He has always enjoyed writing arrangements for specific occasions and particular voices - creating something very much tailor-made for the singers.
Arrangements
Concerto Grosso, No.8 “The Christmas Concerto” - Arcangelo Corelli (2003)
8 part a cappella (SSAATTBB)
An a cappella arrangement for The Swingle Singers’s live shows and “Unwrapped” Christmas Album.
Using the principles that the group’s founder Ward Swingle used in his famous arrangement of J.S. Bach’s Badinerie, this vocalisation of a string orchestra piece doesn’t change a note from the original Corelli, but adds a swing feel with vocal percussion.
© 2003 richardetesonmusic
Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks (2004)
8 part a cappella (SSAATTBB)
An a cappella arrangement for The Swingle Singers’s live shows and “Unwrapped” Christmas Album.
This arrangement is a faithful transcription of Johnny Marks’ original song, but with all instruments and drums vocalised.
© all rights reserved by Warner/Chappell Music
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow - Cahn/Styne (2004)
8 part a cappella (SSAATTBB)
An a cappella arrangement for The Swingle Singers’s live shows and “Unwrapped” Christmas Album.
This arrangement is a take on Frank Sinatra’s big band cover of the Sammy Cahn & Julie Styne classic original song. There is even room for a little bit of Vivaldi’s “Winter” too.
© all rights reserved Cherry Lane Music Publishing
Summer Soft - Stevie Wonder (2008)
8 part a cappella (SSAATTBB)
An a cappella arrangement for The Swingle Singers’s album “Ferris Wheels”.
A vocalised transcription of Stevie’s original song featuring a solo for every singer in the group and its production team, plus some slap bass, beatboxing and scat solo.
© all rights reserved Black Bull Music Inc.
Overture to William Tell - Gioachino Rossini (2010)
8 part a cappella (SSAATTBB)
An a cappella arrangement for The Swingle Singers in the McDonald’s “Weather” advertising campaign.
© 2010 The Swingles / richardetesonmusic
not publicly performed
not published
The 12 Days of Christmas - Trad. (2013)
6 part a cappella (AATBBB) + solo
4 part a cappella (TTBB) + solo
An a cappella arrangement of the traditional carol featuring a “solo” part intended for audience participation. The solo part sings what the gift is (e.g. “a partridge in a pear tree") and the vocal group sings the rest (and of course, 5 Gold Rings!).
© 2013 richardetesonmusic
First Performance:
13th Dec 2013 by The Templars in The Reform Club, London
not yet published or recorded
"Mister Robin” (Mr Sandman / Boldly Brave Sir Robin) - Pat Ballard / Neil Innes (2015)
4 part a cappella (ATTB) + solo
An a cappella mashup arrangement using the music of Mr Sandman and Boldly Brave Sir Robin (from Monty Python and The Holy Grail) with entirely new lyrics written by Richard Eteson for The Choirmens’ Dinner at The Temple.
First Performance:
30th November 2015 by The Choirmen of Temple Church at The Inner Temple, London
not yet published or recorded
“Record of Johnny” (This is the Record of John / Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh) - Orlando Gibbons / Abe Olman (2018)
5 part a cappella (SATTB) + trio (SAT) solo
An a cappella mashup arrangement of the Orlando Gibbons anthem and Ward Swingle’s arrangement of Oh Johnny for the retirement of The Verger at The Temple Church. The “solo” trio is in the style of the Andrew’s Sisters.
First Performance:
25th July 2018 by The Temple Singers in The Master’s Garden, The Temple, London
not yet published or recorded
Three Lions - Baddiel/Skinner/Broudie (2018)
4 part a cappella (TTBB)
A very approachable 4 part a cappella arrangement for Barbershop voices of the well known unofficial England football anthem.
© Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd.
First Performance:
3rd July 2018 by Barbershop Incognito at R.H.S. Garden Festival, Hampton Court
not yet published or recorded