University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (TA)
Orchestration Course Description
3-Quarter Sequence
Autumn Quarter 2011
This course will give you a working knowledge of each orchestral instrument for practical applications such as arranging, composing and scoring in general. The course will begin with discussing the peculiarities (methods of sound production, ranges, timbre, etc.) of the various instruments. It will also explore how to make quality decisions in combining these instruments so that they can work together as a unified whole. The first quarter of this course will focus on strings, piano, harp and woodwind instruments.
Winter Quarter 2012
This course will give you a working knowledge of each orchestral instrument for practical applications such as arranging, composing and scoring in general. The course will begin with discussing the peculiarities (methods of sound production, ranges, timbre, etc.) of the various instruments. It will also explore how to make quality decisions in combining these instruments so that they can work together as a unified whole. The second quarter of this course will focus on brass, percussion, and scoring for larger ensembles.
Spring Quarter 2012
This course will focus on orchestration techniques for both standard and nonstandard chamber ensembles. By providing an opportunity for arranging and performing diverse chamber pieces, students will have a practical application of the knowledge and skills learned in the first two quarters of Orchestration. Activities include score study, arranging, performing and listening to chamber music.
Single Semester Course
Orchestration is the art of expressing musical ideas through deployment of the vast array of instrumental forces available in the modern symphony orchestra. The study of orchestration is the systematic acquisition of skills necessary to do this work. In this course, we will:
1. develop basic knowledge of the workings of each instrument organized by families (winds, brass, percussion, and strings). This knowledge will be acquired through information provided by the instructor, readings from textbook, and live demonstrations of the instruments by members of the class and guest performers.
2. develop skill in combining these individual forces using techniques drawn from various historical and contemporary practices. These skills will be learned through a variety of individual orchestration projects, many of which will be performed in class.
3. contextualize these skills through a basic study of orchestration techniques as demonstrated in major works of the literature by composers such as Beethoven, Berlioz, Mahler, Stravinsky, Ravel, Ligeti, and Adams. To provide a context for these skills, we will be engaging in critical listening exercises in addition to studying scores. The critical listening exercises are meant to question and thus strengthen our understanding of what we hear.