Orchestration Home

CALENDAR
Spring 2009
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Date
Class Content
Assignment Due
Thursday,
January 22
Introduction. Project options and expectations. Orchestral modeling. Slatkin rehearsal discussion. DSO concerts.  
Tuesday,
January 27
No class due to weather.  
Thursday,
January 29
Orchestral template discussion. Principles that guide layout and notation. Score order and abbreviations. Download and print pages 1 and 2 of the Finale Full Orchestral Template, study it, and for purposes of class discussion, make written notes about how you would improve upon this template.
Tuesday,
February 3
Writing for strings. Compose one or two pages of music for violin, preferably music that might be included in your Orchestral Reading Final Project. Notate the music carefully, turn in one copy and make five copies to share with the class next week.
Thursday,
February 5
Writing for strings. Download the three Bibliography Templates to your own computer. Complete the Bibliography Project as stated in the Syllabus. Submit all three completed lists to Dr. McTee via e-mail. To facilitate future compilation, do not change the formatting of the template files if possible.
Tuesday,
February 10
Composing responsibly. Spatial notation for large ensembles: problems and solutions. URLs and books.
 Be prepared to share information about a few of your favorite URLs or books with the class. Download and print this document: Spatial Meters. Please bring it to class.
Thursday,
February 12
Ranges and registers for winds & brass. Importance of "registral strength" in achieving good balance. "The timbre, strength, and texture of every segment of each instrument's range becomes crucial when you are creating color combinations that will characterize the music to be played." Sam Adler. Be prepared to share information about a few of your favorite URLs or books with the class. Ranges and Registers Project. Winds. Ranges and Registers Project. Brass.
Tuesday,
February 17
Abbreviations. Orchestral Analysis Project. Ranges and Registers Project. Strings.
Thursday,
February 19

What is poor orchestration? Orchestral Analysis Project.

 Ranges and Registers Project. Final. Orchestral Score Template Project. First draft.
Tuesday,
February 24
Parts template discussion. Principles that guide layout and notation. Orchestral Score Template Project. Final. E-mail request for full or chamber orchestra to Sarah.
Thursday,
February 26
Orchestral Analysis Project. Orchestral Part Template Project. First draft.
Tuesday,
March 3
Finale help session. Orchestral Part Template Project. Final.
Thursday,
March 5
ETHEL is comprised of four world-class, Juilliard-trained composer/musicians: Cornelius Dufallo (violin), Ralph Farris (viola), Dorothy Lawson (cello), and Mary Rowell (violin). Described as "the fiercest string quartet this side of hell," and "the most bad-ass quartet around," ETHEL has performed over 300 shows in ten different countries as a favorite at countless festivals and venues around the globe. Meet in the MEIT at 10:30 if possible for a special seminar for composers by ETHEL.
Tuesday,
March 10
Orchestral Analysis Project.  
Thursday,
March 12
Orchestral Analysis Project. Rehearsal Attendance Projects.
Tuesday,
March 17
Spring Break.  
Thursday,
March 19
Spring Break.  
Tuesday,
March 24
Orchestral Analysis Project.  
Thursday,
March 26
Master class. Bring drafts of your pieces for comment.
Tuesday,
March 31
Finale help session. Bring digital notation questions.
Thursday,
April 2
Jon Nelson will talk about his works for orchestra. Be prepared to ask questions.
Tuesday,
April 7
Master class. Guest conductor, David Itkin. Be prepared to ask questions. Bring drafts of your pieces for comment.
Thursday,
April 9
Master class. Bring drafts of your pieces for comment.
Tuesday,
April 14
Orchestral Analysis Projects. Three, completed, bound scores for the Orchestral Reading Final Project, one for the conductor, one for Dr. McTee, and one for yourself. The title page of the score should include your phone number(s) and e-mail address.
Thursday,
April 16
Orchestral Analysis Projects.  
Tuesday,
April 21
Orchestral Analysis Projects.  
Thursday,
April 23
Orchestral Analysis Project.  
Tuesday,
April 28
Sort parts. Completed parts for the Orchestral Reading Final Project.
Thursday,
April 30
Orchestral contracts. The business side of writing for orchestra.  
Friday,
May 1
Orchestra readings. Chamber Orchestra, 12:15 - 1:05 pm. Symphony Orchestra, 2:15 - 4:05 pm. Chamber Orchestra: Hauser, Bautista and Lee. Full Orchestra: Bukaty, Forrest, Jackson, Shirey, Taycher, and Fieldsteel.
Tuesday,
May 5
Post-readings evaluations.  
Thursday,
May 7
Post-readings evaluations. Orchestral Model Project (optional).
Finals Week
No final exam.