Learning to Write and Arrange Music for Orchestra

Overview

During this course, learners will be practically guided through the anatomy of the full symphony orchestra – as well as its variants and extensions – before being supported in the creation of two new pieces of music. The first of these will be an arrangement of an existing piece of music. Self-selected by the learner, this could be taken from a film, a favourite song, a video game, or it could be a piece that they have written. The second of these will be a short piece of music of their own, composed from scratch and developed into a full orchestral score. In support of this, learners will be offered a series of lectures about the technical elements and makeup of the orchestra, from its beginnings to cutting-edge experimental music. Learners will also be instructed in modern editorial standards - learning how to use a range of software packages in support of their creativity, helping them to develop pathways to the performance and recording of their works.

Programme

Through a series of online lectures, seminars and support sessions, learners will cover the following topics:

1. Expectations, Plans, Music Theory, and Software Packages.
2. The Modern Orchestra and its Historical Development.
3. Basics of Arranging: Working from and Developing Short Scores.
4. The Woodwinds and Brass.
5. The Strings and Percussion.
6. Auxiliary Instruments and Modern Musical Colour.
7. Practical Arranging 1.
8. Alternative and Experimental Approaches to the orchestra.
9. Preparing Your Music for Performance, Submission, and More.
10. Practical Arranging 2.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:  

1. Demonstrate the ability to arrange and compose new pieces of music, including the preparation of well-edited, communicative, and professionally usable scores and performance parts (as required).
2. Research and demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of practical arranging techniques - both historical and modern - and evidence their usage in the context of practical, modern musical environments.
3. Clearly and confidently communicate their musical intentions through traditionally-notated sheet music environments (and less-traditional notational context in some cases).
4. Evaluate, analyse, discuss, and justify the technical components of orchestra music (both their music and the music of others), specifically as it relates to the methods and processes behind arranging and composition.

Assessments

1. Composition 1; 350 Words. Composition 1 to include the following: A 5-minute arrangement for standard-sized symphony orchestra. A 250-word commentary. A 100-word reflective note.
2. Composition 2; 750 Words. Composition 2 to include the following: A 5-minute composition for standard-sized symphony orchestra. A 500-word commentary. A 250-word reflective note.

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.