To develop the techniques and strategies required to write music for large ensembles.
To give students the technical skills and aesthetic approaches to write orchestral music in a variety of stylistic modes.
To develop mastery of techniques required to transform and manipulate musical materials – melodic, harmonic, rhythmic – to fit various stylistic imperatives.
To develop self-critical skills.

(LO1) Demonstrate critical skills in analysing orchestration strategies found in existing music.

(LO2) Demonstrate clarity and competency in notating their own orchestrations.

(LO3) Orchestrate music by strategically manipulating and transforming melodic, harmonic, and textural materials.

(LO4) Demonstrate mastery of idiomatic writing for orchestral instruments individually and in combination.

(S1) Time and project management - Project management.

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Following instructions/protocols/procedures.

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking.

Lecture topics include: reading large orchestral scores, loudness and balance, voicing chords, orchestrating simultaneous elements, strategising continuity of orchestration, designing accompaniment, working with the string section, and transforming existing materials to fit various moods.

This course will use the Adler orchestration textbook available through the reading list. Different chapters of the Adler text will be assigned each week. In addition, various supplementary study resources will be posted on Canvas.

Seminars: non-assessed assignments will be posted on Canvas for students to complete. Students will then be asked to submit their work in advance of seminar, and student submissions will be anonymised and critiqued in seminar.

The majority of teaching will be delivered face-to-face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on-campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures are organized thematically and cover the core content of the module.
Schedule directed student hours: 24
Unscheduled directed student hours: 113
Attendance recorded: Yes
Self-Directed Learning involves studying materials posted on CANVAS: reading texts, listening to music, studying supplied scores.

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Seminars provide small-group discussions on practical topics from lecture. Students will receive non-assessed assignments in advance to check comprehension of critical topics and techniques.
Schedule directed student hours: 12
Unscheduled directed student hours: 0
Attendance recorded: Yes