“MUSIC ARRANGING”

MUS 371 ~ Fall Semester 2005

MTWR ~ 3:30 PM to 4:20 PM

Monday,Wednesday & Friday: Computer Lab (304) ~ Tuesday & Thursday: (308)

Dr. Steve Wright, Instructor

COURSE INFORMATION:             One course, required of Music Education Majors

                                                            Students must achieve a minimum grade of C-

                                                            for this course to count in the Music Major or

                                                            Music Minor.  Prerequisite -- MUS 212  (Music Theory IV)

INSTRUCTOR:   Dr. Steve Wright:  FAM 206   E-mail:  swright@gustavus.edu   Phone: 7439

REQUIRED TEXT:   White, Gary    Instrumental Arranging  

                                       MakeMusic:  Finale OR Print Music

                                                Other References (on reserve in the Music Library):

                                                Black & Gerou -- Essential Dictionary of ORCHESTRATION

                                                Cacavas, J. -- The Art of Writing Music

                                                Kennan, K. -- The Technique of Orchestration

                                                Burton, S. D. -- Orchestration

                                                Ades, H. -- Choral Arranging

                                                Rimsky-Korsakoff, N. -- Principles of Orchestration

                                                Piston, W. -- Orchestration

                                                Miller, G -- Method for Orchestra Arranging

REQUIRED MATERIALS:   Home Directory at GAC, music paper (TBA) + 3-ring binder.

                                                  (Other materials as required TBA)

COURSE CONTENT:   [Gustavus Catalog Description]

371. MUSIC ARRANGING AND TRANSCRIPTION (1 course)

Vocal ensembles and the instruments of the band and orchestra are studied through analysis, score-reading, and listening for the purpose of writing and arranging for various musical groups. Projects in scoring, transcription and arranging for several ensembles are completed. Required of all majors seeking music education licensure. Prerequisite: MUS-212. Fall semester.

Special emphasis will be given to development of skills in orchestration/transcription (the scoring of a piece of music without significant alteration of melodic and harmonic content) and arranging (the re-orchestration and re-composition of an existing melody or composition, with significant alterations to the original work).  In the process, emphasis will be placed on learning practical ranges, transpositions and mechanical limitations of instruments and voice, standard combinations of instruments/voices, tonal characteristics and working with various styles of music.  Students will study practical techniques of score layout and traditional music copying, as well as computer notation and playback utilizing Finale.

The arranging/orchestration student will develop competencies in the following:

            MANUAL & COMPUTER NOTATION PRACTICES

 *(1/4)   ORCHESTRATION & INSTRUMENTATION (Range, Capabilities & Characteristics)

                        Brass

                        Woodwinds

                        Strings

                        Percussion

                        Keyboards

                        Voice

                        Electronic instruments

                        (* = approximate portion of semester’s work)

 *(1/4)   TRANSCRIPTION  (Study & Projects)                       

                        Picking music

                        Adaption for particular ensembles

 *(1/2)   ARRANGING  (Study & Projects)

                        Orchestra

                        Wind Ensemble  (Concert Band ~ Wind Orchestra)

                        Choir

                        Jazz Ensemble

                        Marching Band

                        Small & Specialized Ensembles:

                                    String

                                    Woodwind

                                    Brass

                                    Vocal

                                    Percussion

                                    Mixed ensembles

                                    Jazz/Pop groups

                                    Solo with Piano

                                    Duets, Trios, etc.

                        Electronic instruments (synthesizers, sequencing, digital recording, etc. as schedule allows)

            COMPUTER NOTATION & SCORING

FINALE & COMPUTER LAB:        Introduction to Finale and associated techniques will be

                                                            studied in the computer lab on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

                                                            As the semester progresses and arranging projects are

                                                            developed in the lab, we will use the projection system

                                                            and sound playback to collectively study and discuss both

                                                            student and professional arrangements. 

STUDENT OUTCOMES FOR MUSIC ARRANGING:

The student will learn and be able to recognize practical instrumental ranges and transposition on parts and scores.

The student will manually extract parts & properly notate them for various groups.

The student will orchestrate various examples for each instrumental/vocal group.

The student will understand the technical and musical capabilities of student groups at different skill levels and ages.

The student will study & recognize printed & audio examples of various groups.

The student will complete a final arranging and/or orchestration project.

CLASS MEETINGS:

Monday:  Finale instruction & analysis and discussion of student/professional

                        orchestrations and arrangements.

Tuesday:   Lectures and discussion of arranging and orchestration techniques.

Wednesday:   Finale instruction & analysis and discussion of student/professional

                        orchestrations and arrangements.

Thursday:   Further discussion, analysis and short quizzes.

Friday:   Lab session ~ self directed

COURSE TIME & ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS:

The student should expect to spend 5-10 hours per week outside of class time working on assignments.  To attain mastery of new skills, additional time is almost surely required.

Students shall notify the instructor in advance if they must miss a class.  The student is expected to be at every class session on time.  An attendance record is kept.  It is unlikely that the required work will be successfully completed unless regular attendance is maintained.  Excessive absence (more than two unexcused absences) may result in a lowering of the student’s grade at the discretion of the instructor.

The student is responsible for obtaining and completing assignments in a timely fashion that were missed due to an absence.

EXAMINATIONS & QUIZZES:

There will be regular quizzes and projects.  Quizzes may be made-up at the discretion of the instructor.  The missed quiz or exam must be made up within one week from the date of the original quiz/exam, otherwise the grade will be recorded as an F.  Note: some quizzes may be unannounced.

At this writing, the student should anticipate two possible tests -- at approximately the fourth week of the semester and at midterm.  An individual arranging/orchestration project will serve as a “final test”.  There is no anticipated final exam.

GRADING (approximate percentages):

Daily work/Class participation:         25%

Quizzes:                                              15%

Written Exams (2):                              20%

Final Project:                                       40%

Every effort will be made to ensure the student’s competency in basic orchestration and arranging fundamentals and techniques, as well as development of skills in the use of computer notation.  These are “measureable” skills and at the discretion of the instructor, “make-up” exercises and/or quizzes may be allowed to make sure that the student has a thorough grasp of basic techniques. 

The Final Project will be tailored to each student’s individual skills and interests.  For example, a saxophonist may choose to do a jazz arrangement;  a vocalist, a choral transcription;  a violinist, a string quartet piece; and so on.  This Project will represent both the student’s newly acquired arranging/orchestration skills AND will be a chance to assess their creative abilities.  We will attempt to perform these pieces with a representative Gustavus ensemble.  The Final Project will utilize Finale for both score and parts.

INSTRUCTOR’S COMMENT:

The teacher’s goal of this course is to provide the student with skills, techniques and a sense of creativity, so in the pursuit of a career in music and/or music education, they will have confidence and the ability to arrange music for a wide variety of ensembles if called on to do so. 

To Contact me:

Campus Phone:  7439  (leave message)  Office:  FAM 206

Cell Phone:  (612) 298-2020

 • E-mail:  swright@gustavus.edu •