Music  358A
Orchestration

Spring Semester, 2010
Tuesday / Thursday, 1:30-2:50, Craig Hall 114

Dr. R. Duhaime
Craig Hall 111, ext. 2464
Office Hours:  by appointment

General Information
As a first course in orchestration, the course will deal with both the theoretical and practical topics of writing and arranging for instruments.  Written exercises will progress from characteristic parts for each of the instrumental members of the modern orchestra in homogeneous ensembles to more complex scorings for heterogeneous groups of various sizes.  Considerable time will also be spent examining, hearing, and commenting on orchestration excerpts drawn from a variety of historical and geographical contexts.  Performances of student projects will be scheduled as time and resources permit.

Texts
Kennan, The Technique of Orchestration, sixth edition, with accompanying workbook

Attendance
Class will meet on a regular basis:
          Tuesday, 1:30-2:50 p.m.          Craig Hall 114
          Thursday, 1:30-2:50 p.m.         Craig Hall 114

Additional (evening) meetings may be arranged, both to address individual questions over student projects as well as to allow for demonstrations and performances by guest lecturers and performers.  In particular, when dealing with string topics, keep Thursday at 11:00 a.m. clear for work with the chamber orchestra.

N.B.  Everyone will be expected to contribute to and participate in each class session, with readings, listenings, and exercises to be completed prior to each session.  Attendance is therefore mandatory to receive credit for each session, with any missed session requiring immediate consultation with the instructor to arrange for the completion of any missed work.

Grading
Semester grades will be determined from the following:
          Orchestration assignments                   33.3%
          Class preparation and participation      33.3%
          Written exams                                     33.3%
A semester average of 70% is required for credit in the S/D/U system.

Academic Integrity
Students are encouraged (and expected) to seek advice from classmates, the instructor, and extra-course authorities on daily written assignments and exercises.  Students will routinely be involved in critiquing each other's work, an activity that should continue outside of class sessions.  All final versions of written work, including exams, are expected to be completed by individual students.

For additional information, please contact:
Dr. Ricky Duhaime: rduhaime@austincollege.edu