Unit information: Writing for Orchestra in 2015/16

Unit name	Writing for Orchestra
Unit code	MUSI20141
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Louis Johnson
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	MUSI10051: Practical Studies in Instrumentation and Conducting
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Music
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing this unit will be able to:

1. demonstrate a basic working knowledge of all the main orchestral instruments (including 1.1 range, 1.2 dynamic profile, 1.3 technical limitations)
2. arrange passages in appropriate style, using given exemplars
3. lay out pages of score in a professional manner

Teaching Information

Seminars and Tutorials

Assessment Information

Portfolio of short exercises (50%) Successful attainment of outcome (3) will enable the student to demonstrate (1.1 and 1.3).

Project (50%) Successful attainment of outcome (2) will enable the student to demonstrate (1 and 2).

Reading and References

• Adler, Samuel: The Study of Orchestration (W. W. Norton & Co.; 3rd Revised edition 2002)

• Berlioz, Hector/Strauss, Richard: Treatise on Instrumentation (Dover, 1991)

• Blatter, Alfred: Instrumentation and Orchestration (Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc; 2 edition 1997)