What are the advantages to compiled scores?
Compiled scores are a remarkably efficient way to assemble impressive movie scores — typically the score compiler received the film or cue sheet three days to a week before the picture was to be shown and was able to have the film score arranged and the orchestra rehearsed by opening night while still exhibiting the previous film. Mont Alto got an accidental trial-by-fire on this at the 2000 Cinecon convention, when an expected film was cancelled a week before the screening. Susan Hall and I were able to compile a score for a different film in one day, arrange parts for each musician the next, rehearse on a third day, and then present the film “as professionally as if planned for months” (according to a review of the performance in Classic Images).
