Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module MUSI2541: ORCHESTRATION

Department: Music

MUSI2541: ORCHESTRATION

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • A-Level in Music

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To equip students with skills in arrangement and orchestration.
  • to introduce students to historical and contemporary techniques of scoring for various instrumental media.

Content

  • An introduction to orchestration techniques and the arrangement of piano pieces.
  • Historical overviews are given through the study of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern techniques, up to the present.
  • The study of the sections of the orchestra is provided, including strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
  • The layout of scores and notational conventions is examined, as is the preparation of parts when and if relevant.
  • Practical workshops are given on an ad hoc basis to try out and comment upon orchestration exercises.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should know how to arrange for each section of the orchestra independently, as interacting ensembles, and as a whole orchestra.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • They should be competent in orchestrating in historical styles, from the eighteenth century to the present.
  • These skills should be able to be transferred to work of almost any kind in which orchestration of a practical kind is required, e.g. composition.
Key Skills:

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The teaching, learning and assessment procedures ensure ongoing constructive criticism of work, and lead to greater confidence in work submitted.
  • The frequent formative work is especially important in providing regular feedback.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 1 per week 1 hour 22 ■
Tutorials 3 1 per term 1 hour 3 ■
Preparation and Reading 175
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Takeaway Paper Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
takeaway paper 100%
Component: Takeaway Paper Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
takeaway paper 100%

Formative Assessment:

Weekly exercises plus preparation for and participation within tutorials.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University