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In the late 1990’s, I was offered the opportunity to learn the craft of orchestration through a de facto apprenticeship with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.  Erich Kunzel trained me.  The apprenticeship was invaluable.  
 

Do you need orchestral arrangements?  Let me help you create arrangements that fit like a glove, that embrace and uplift you and will empower you to deliver sizzling performances.

My arrangements are performed hundreds of times per year in venues from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center to the Hollywood Bowl.  I have written for Jefferson Starship, Sara Bareilles, Megan Hilty, Wayne Brady, Michael Feinstein, Betty LaVette, Erich Kunzel, Stephen Reineke, The New York Pops, the National Symphony Orchestra and many more great artists, conductors, and orchestras.  I would love to write arrangements for you.

Featuring
Rhapsody in Blue 2020 Edition 

If you are an artist who wants to enter the world of orchestral pops for the first time, feel free to contact me.  I will answer your questions about the strange, wondrous land of orchestral pops. 

As you approach the decision of which arranger to hire, be sure to choose a very experienced arranger.  Don't trust an inexperienced, discount arranger who may create bland, error-filled arrangements that are a first-rehearsal nightmare.

Jefferson Starship commissioned a 60 minute orchestra show. It was awarded 5 standing ovations at the premiere. Click to learn more.

Let me help you create arrangements that are conductor ready, soloist ready, player ready, library ready, management ready, and most important, audience ready upon delivery.

I am an orchestrator and symphonic pops arranger -- an arranger of music for symphony orchestras, specializing in arrangements for orchestral pops concerts and symphonic pops orchestration.    

The National Symphony Orchestra commissioned an arrangement of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" for a performance with Sara Bareilles at the Kennedy Center in 2013. Click to hear Sara's haunting performance.

My wife, Louise Berens, and I work together as a team creating arrangements.  Louise does initial takedowns and all the music engraving for arrangments.  I arrange and orchestrate the music.  Read Case Study: Jefferson Starship for a detailed explanation of the process we use to create arrangements.

My arrangements and pops orchestrations are performed hundreds of times per year by top orchestras including the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, The New York Pops, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. My charts have been performed on many recordings and nationally broadcast PBS specials.

"Your charts were great."
Lesley Sabol, Director of Popular Programming, Houston Symphony

I arrange, orchestrate, copy, and print scores and parts.  Erich Kunzel, Steven Reineke and Mary Judge (the orchestra's principal librarian) trained me in the method of writing arrangements and preparing scores and parts that evolved at the Cincinnati Pops during the creation of 90+ recordings. 

I recognize the vital importance of producing error-free arrangements -- orchestrations that work the first time at the first rehearsal.  I deliver projects on time and on budget.   

"The program featured a brilliant orchestration of the Weather Report hit 'Birdland' by the CSO's own Tim Berens that was truly orchestral while preserving the sizzle of this jazz fusion hit."
Jesse Rosen, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

Having grown up playing modern popular music and jazz, I developed a knack for translating popular music styles into arrangements that orchestral musicians understand.  My years with Erich Kunzel also taught me that an orchestra's sound can soar above the mountaintops, express lush beauty, or reveal simple truths.

When the rock band Rush received a lifetime achievement award, the National Arts Centre Orchestra commissioned an arrangement of "Tom Sawyer" which was performed for Rush at the ceremony honoring them. Click to hear the performance.

September 1, 2024

To purchase a score and full set of parts for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, visit Berens Pops Library.

© 2002 - 2023, Tim Berens
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