Orchestration

Department of Music, School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music

College of Arts and Law

Details

Code 23580

Level of study Third/Final year

Credit value 20

Semester 2011/12: fortnightly in 1 and 22012/13: possibly as in 2011/12; possibly weekly in one

Pre-requisite modules 1023451

Module description

The module aims to provide students with facility in orchestrating Classical and Romantic music; to sharpen the ear and improve command of harmony and counterpoint, musical notation, calligraphy, and the presentation of scores and parts. The module begins with basic techniques of scoring for strings, woodwind and brass, and moves to the scoring of Classical and Romantic music for symphony orchestra¿up to, and including, Debussy. It is hoped that the students in the group will be sufficiently numerous and diverse to allow their written work to be played, heard and discussed. Examples of instrumental scoring by a range of composers will be examined in class of prescribed for private study.

Teaching and learning methods

Ten two-hour classes. Tutor provides introduction to the various musical instruments and their use in orchestras and ensembles. Students score selected pieces of Classical and Romantic music for appropriate orchestras and ensembles. Assessment by coursework (50%) and final assignment (50%).