Module MUSI2541: Orchestration

Department: Music

MUSI2541: Orchestration

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To equip students with skills in arrangement and orchestration.

Content

• Students are provided with an introduction to orchestration techniques and the arrangement of piano pieces. The sections of the symphony orchestra (strings, woodwind, brass and percussion) are studied. The layout of scores and notational conventions is examined. Historical examples are analysed: some may be from the Classical period but the main focus is on the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Practical workshops may be given on an ad hoc basis.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the capabilities of individual instruments and their historical and modern function within the orchestra. Students will also study how specific syntactical and expressive factors motivate scoring decisions.

• The development of instrumental writing and scoring in an orchestral context.
• Effective time management and the ability to work to deadlines.
• Professional presentation skills.

• The development of problem-solving issues of a practical nature in the craft of orchestration, taking into account the possibilities of individual instruments and their use in various compositional contexts.

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

• Lectures, usually incorporating small-scale practical exercises, cover: technical matters regarding idiomatic instrumental writing; important aspects of notation and presentation; analysis of exemplary orchestral works; comparisons between piano music (and music for piano duet) and orchestral versions; and analysis of piano source material.
• Group tutorials provide opportunities for practising the skills discussed in the lectures, especially regarding idiomatic instrumental writing and professional standards of notation.
• The module builds towards a summative project consisting of an arrangement (normally for standard modern symphony orchestra) of source material (usually a piano piece), together with a short commentary in which students can present additional context and detail regarding their creative process, e.g., their decisions about form and contrast, and regarding their analysis of exemplary pieces.
• Independent study of set texts and scores. Students who have yet to cultivate score-reading are advised to acquaint themselves with as many scores as possible before the module begins. The work of Ravel is a good starting point. Many scores are available in the University Library but most well-known works that are out of copyright, as well as works by neglected composers, can be found on IMSLP.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students are given formative assignments related to the type of work they prepare for their summative assessment. At least one formative assignment will involve orchestrating piano music for full orchestra in a historically informed manner.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.