Unit information: Writing for Orchestra in 2021/22

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	Professor. Ellison
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
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

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

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).

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 Faculty 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. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.