Composition & Arranging

Catalog description

In this course, we will explore approaches to musical composition and the fundamentals of arranging, including the range, transposition, idiomatic techniques of instruments, and styles of ensemble arranging. Our primary text is Richard Sussman and Michael Abene’s Jazz Composition and Arranging in the Digital Age, and a recommended text is Samuel Adler’s The Study of Orchestration, 3rd Edition or any comparable orchestration book. Additional score excerpts and recordings will be supplied. Through written arrangement exercises and class discussion, we will practice the basic skills of composition and arranging that can be applied to your own music projects. Completion of MUSC 1530 is suggested.