Unit information: Writing for Orchestra in 2023/24

Unit name	Writing for Orchestra
Unit code	MUSI20141
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Kostis Tsioulakis
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	Department of Music
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit introduces students to the essential techniques of orchestral writing. We will begin by studying the capabilities of the individual instruments, section by section, using practical demonstrations wherever possible. We will then learn to blend instruments within their family groups and eventually to combine these groups into full orchestral textures. Examples used will be drawn mainly from Classical and Romantic orchestral literature, together with some from the early twentieth century.

Aims:

This unit will:

• introduce students to the techniques of orchestral writing

• give students an awareness of the range and capabilities of the various orchestral departments

• provide students with the ability to blend and balance instrumental colours in an orchestral context.

Your learning on this unit

Students successfully completing this unit will be able to:

1. demonstrate a broad knowledge of all the main orchestral instruments and recognise their range, dynamic profile, and technical limitations
2. summarise and demonstrate a crticial understanding of the essential principles of practical and effective combinations of the instruments in an orchestral context
3. Illustrate their understanding by arranging passages in an appropriate style, using given examples
4. design and lay out pages of score in a professional manner

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures and self-directed exercises.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you 'or summative tasks (formative):

None

Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted):

Two short exercises [0%,Required for Credit] ([ILOs 1 and 4]

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Project [100%] (ILOs 1-4)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MUSI20141).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.