Kyle McFarland
Music 1010
 Born February 27, 1981, in Los Angeles,
CA.
 Primarily focused on theatrical arts.
 In 7th grade performed first solo
(S’wonderful)
• Though Groban would later become an amazing
singer/songwriter, his dream was to become an actor.
• After seventh grade, Groban transferred to Bridges Academy.
• Bridges was a high end preparatory school for highly gifted
students.
• Groban was able to attend morning classes from 9:00am to
1:00pm, followed by theater class.
• After some time at Bridges, Josh Groban transferred to Angeles
County High School for the Arts, located on the California State
University, Los Angeles campus.
• This school specializes in the training of music, theater, visual
arts and dance
• Groban graduated from ACHSA in 1999.
• Following his graduation from ACHSA in 1999 Groban
attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, PA.
• However, four months into his first semester Groban was offered
a recording contract and withdrew from his classes to pursue a
career in music.
• At the age of seventeen, Josh Groban was introduced to David
Foster and Brian Avnet.
• David Foster was a prominent composer, singer-songwriter and
arranger.
• David Foster was behind some of the biggest hits of the time.
• Foster worked with Celine Dion, Prince, Michael Jackson and
tons more!
• Foster hired Groban to be a rehearsal singer for 1999
Grammy Awards.
• Following this performance, Groban received a guest spot on
the Rosie O’Donnell show.
• Groban lands role in season finale of Ally McBeal show as
Malcolm Wyatt.
• After many requests his character is brought back for the next
season.
• Groban was offered a record deal through 143 records.
• 143 Records is a sub-label of Warner Bros. Run by David
Foster and Brian Avnet.
• Within a year of release, Josh Groban’s self titled debut album
was double-platinum
• Although Groban was an amazing pop singer, Foster pushed
Groban to focus more on a classical musician.
• Sang at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in
Salt Lake City, UT.
• In 2002 performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in
Norway.
• Performed at the Vatican with other world renowned artists.
• Groban has donated and performed for many charitable
events.
• VH1’s Save the Music
• Tsunami Aid
• The Hear Foundation Gala
• In 2007 donated $150,000 to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
to fund music education programs.
• Groban’s second album “Closer” reached number one on the
billboard charts within two months.
• Second album was both written and produced by David Foster.
• Regarding his third album, Groban states "I am fortunate
enough to have had many really big moments in my career. I
think the mistake a lot of people in my position make is to
always search for the next big thing. I am looking forward to
playing some small theaters. I'm looking forward to writing
more. I want to delve further into my acting career and explore
some of the film and TV opportunities that I haven't had time
for. My outlook is to expect the unexpected. And when the next
step comes, I'm prepared to take it.”*
• November of 2010, Groban’s fourth album, “Illuminations,” was
released
• Displays more original songs than on previous albums
• Regarding the album Groban says it was inspired by by
“specific situations that I've had where love has existed and
ultimately failed.”*
• Set to release in July of 2011, Groban will co-star in a comedy
film with Emma Stone and Steve Carell.
• At age 29 Josh Groban has released five hit albums
• Sung with the worlds finest musicians
• Impacted the lives of thousands of young musicians
• Demonstrated generosity to many great causes
• With no end in sight, Groban’s career seems to be sky
rocketing, with his pop/rock and classical inspired works of
many different styles and languages, Groban has made his
presence as an amazing musician known throughout the world.
Josh Groban
• Written and composed by Josh Groban and Dan Wilson
(semisonic)
• Arrangement by David Campbell
• released in November of 2010
• Produced by Rick Rubin
• Piano and vocals: Josh Groban
• Guitar: Matt Sweeney and Smokey Hormel on guitar
• Written by Josh Groban
• Groban explains, "It came from a trip to Walter Reed Hospital
in DC, where I was talking to soldiers. Theirs is a struggle we
ignore as a country - the veterans who come home and fight
battles for rest of their lives.“*
• Released November 2010
• Produced by Rick Rubin
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My favorite piece of music by Groban
Lyrics by Josh Groban and John Ondrasik
Music by Josh Groban and De Vries
Arranged by Mona Rejino
• Groban stated, "I was half asleep on the couch ... I was just out
of a relationship, I had just finished the whole experience of
'Closer' and the tour, and there were a lot of decisions about
my future that had to be made, all by myself. I got up, sat at
the piano and wanted to write a melody that represented that
journey and the loneliness of that feeling -- with the assurance
that answers would come. It came to me in the flick of an eye.”*
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0.00 Intro: The song starts in the key of C in 4/4 time. It starts with a beautiful piano intro that sets the
melody for the rest of the song, this continues for 1 ¾ measures before singing begins.
0.07 Verse 1:Vocalist (Josh Groban) begins singing, in the bass 2 or baritone range. The vocals follow
the melody of the piano, which is still playing a loop of the intro.
0.34 Chorus 1: The chorus begins with a mezzo-forte intro. One beat later, an acoustic guitar enters
with a soft plucking that really stands out from, but at the same time, compliments the melody of the
piano. Throughout this part of the chorus, vocals are in the 2nd tenor range; there is very little
crescendo or decrescendo.
1.44 Verse 2:The second verse begins with an amplification of the cello/violins, then focusing back on
the vocalist singing a baritone range, not really increasing or decreasing in pitch. In the second verse,
the guitar becomes more noticeable, as does the orchestra.
2.11 Chorus 1
2.38 Chorus 2:
The second chorus begins, again with mezzo-forte vocals singing in falsetto. The
orchestra and piano are also playing much louder, while the vocals transition back and forth between
falsetto and full voice. The melody and vocals transition between mezzo-piano while the guitar is
playing a beautiful, rich melody mixed in with the piano and orchestra then back into mezzo-forte.
3.32 Coda:
The second chorus decrescendos into the piano, orchestra and guitar playing the
melody. Vocalist sings at falsetto for a couple measures, then with all accompaniment decrescendos
into silence.
3.54 Ends:
Silence
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0.00 Intro: This song begins with an ensemble of horns and a bass drum playing a very slow, sweeping melody. The melody is
carried by the horns and the drum is played every fourth beat. Towards the end of the intro, the horns hold their last note and
decrescendo into the first verse.
0.34 Verse 1: The first verse begins with the decrescendo of the horns in the intro, and introduces a new melody carried by a
piano for one half measure until vocals begin. Vocalist enters singing in the baritone range, singing in the volume of pianissimo,
with the piano playing a reoccurring loop of five or six notes.
1.02 Verse 2:Verse two begins with the same horn ensemble as the intro with an added orchestral accompaniment playing
slightly louder than the horns. Vocals begin, following a single beat of the bass drum. Vocals mimic the same melody and volume
of the first verse- the only difference is the addition of the orchestra and drum: the drum is now playing every second beat. The
second verse continues, and the vocals and accompaniment crescendos into the chorus.
1:45 Chorus: Chorus begins with vocalist volume of forte, the accompaniment of horns, orchestra and drum crescendo into the
introduction of a snare drum. Now both the snare and bass drum have a heavier marcato. The snare drum is playing a military
march styled theme.
2.31 Verse 3: Following the introduction of the snare drum, a synthesized soprano choir is introduced playing an ascending scale
with the only other accompaniment being the piano playing the same reoccurring five or six note loop with a faint orchestra in
the back. The orchestra crescendos, becoming the more prominent melody with violins playing a faster paced accompaniment to
the melody. Both the vocals and accompaniment crescendo to mezzo-forte.
2:58 Chorus: Chorus begins similarly to the previous chorus, with vocals singing forte in the second tenor range, and the
accompaniment playing mezzo-forte. The snare drum is still carrying a military beat. At 3:25 the chorus is lengthened and a
choir is added, with a mixture of both men and women singing in all voice parts.
3:51 Coda: Main vocalist (Josh Groban) is continuing chorus slowly and crescendos into fortissimo. Continues singing an altered
chorus, in forte with the accompaniment also forte. The accompaniment starting at mezzo-forte builds to fortissimo, vocalist
crescendos into fortissimo and holds this for a few beats, then vocals end. Accompaniment continues after vocals end, then
decrescendos from forte to silence.
4.44 End: Silence
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0:00 Intro:
Song begins with piano playing in the key of E sharp in ¾ time. Piano continues for nine
measures, playing softly (pianissimo). At the end of each measure, a faint electric guitar playing pianissimo.
0:22 Verse 1:
Vocals begin in the low second tenor range at a volume of mezzo-piano, with the same piano
accompaniment as the intro playing at the same volume level. At 0:47 the piano becomes more noticeable as the first
verse continues.
1:12 Chorus:
The chorus begins with vocalist singing at a volume of mezzo-forte in falsetto, and then
transitioning back into full voice. Also introduced in the beginning of the chorus at 1:12 is the use of a cymbal to
transition into a group of violins. The vocals continue to transition between falsetto and full voice, while maintaining a
mezzo-forte volume.
1:53 Verse 2:
Being introduced in the beginning of the second verse is a beat carried by a drum set, with the
guitar, piano, and violins continuing to carry the melody. Vocals remain constant at the volume level of mezzo-piano,
then crescendos into the second chorus.
2:19 Chorus:
Chorus begins the same as the previous chorus, with mezzo-forte, falsetto vocals and a mezzoforte accompaniment. The chorus is rich, soothing and very relaxing. At 2:55 both the vocals and the accompaniment
crescendo into fortissimo.
3:10 Instrumental:
Following the second chorus, the song breaks into a short instrumental focusing mainly on the
orchestra, piano, drums and the vocalist holding a series of notes in the background. This part of the song is very
dramatic, the accompaniment crescendos, while the vocals soar in the background, this continues until 3:42 when the
chorus begins again.
3:42 Chorus:
After the powerful instrumental crescendos into the chorus, the vocalist is singing at a volume
of fortissimo for a few more measures.
4:17 Coda:
The previous chorus decrescendos to the piano volume level, and the coda continues at this
volume level. The only accompaniment remaining is the piano and violins playing softly at a volume of mezzo-piano.
Vocalist repeats the first verse, and decrescendos until all you hear is the piano decrescendo into silence.
5:08 End: six seconds of silence.
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josh groban. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 05, 2011, from www.joshgroban.com
music notes. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 05, 2011, from www.musicnote.com
song facts. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 05, 2011, from www.songfacts.com
wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 04, 2011, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Groban
• Photo Sources:
• Slide 1: http://www.marrasmusic.com/
• Slide 4: http://www.merinews.com/article/musical-theatre-right-mix-of-masala-andmusic/15751337.shtml
• Slide 7: http://copiousnotes.typepad.com/weblog/2008/02/pavarotti-gramm.html
• Slide 8: http://w3.villagelife.com/entertainment/painter-turns-town-center-coffee-shopinto-art-studio/
• Slide 9: http://rateyourmusic.com/label/143_records/
• Slide 12: http://joshgrobanvolod.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/josh-groban_studioalbums/
• Slide 14: http://www.joshgroban.com/media/gallery/113
• Slide 17: http://www.flickr.com/photos/myunghan/4552188527/