Music 470 - Orchestration & Arranging Spring Semester 2018

What is this class about?
This course emphasizes music scoring and arranging using the instruments of the modern symphony orchestra and the traditional wind ensemble. Each family of instruments will be examined individually with a focus on established techniques for traditional scoring.  Proper methods of music notation in producing scores and parts are covered including use of computer software for music notation. "Finale" is the music notation software that will be used in class. All assignments will be prepared for submission either "by hand" or using Finale (.MUSX) files. Arranging will be discussed only in the sense of writing effective idiomatic transcriptions of piano music for orchestral instruments.  The role of MIDI (electronic) orchestration is gaining in importance in the realm of commercial music and relevant techniques will be discussed in class.

What materials will I need?
In addition to the text,  paper, manuscript paper and a binder for handouts and note taking is suggested. You may want to have on hand a USB "thumb" drive or a FireWire hard drive to back up your work.  In addition, all computers are connected to campus servers for file transfer and backup.   You will be assigned a computer where you may store pojects in a student files folder in the "Projects HD" Folder.  Your Finale projects will be submitted electronically on Blackboard and/or in the drop-off folder on the server in CO 374. Some materials will be delivered also through the Blackboard account. "Finale" (.musx) files are the acceptable notation file format. "Sibelius" is NOT supported in the MIDI Lab.

Headphones. Note that the university does not provide headphones for use in CO 374. We suggest that you purchase the "open ear" type of phones. This will allow you to hear your instructor in the room while listening to the computer or keyboard. You will need a 1/4" headphone adaptor to plug into the mixer unit in the lab. We are recommending Audio Technical ATH-M2X headphones. These may be available in the bookstore (about $30). The following link link will give you more information. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ATHM2X/

Will we use Blackboard in this class?
Yes. A Blackboard account has been established for this course.  This is a site for online resources that can assist you in learning material for this class.  All electronic assignments are to be posted on Blackboard. You will receive a grade and feedback on the assignment on the site. Blackboard will serve as your “gradebook.” You can refer to your progress at any time. Assignments, handouts and quizzes will be posted on this site.  In order to locate the class you must first log on to Blackboard. To access the site, click the Blackboard link on Western's homepage or you can type the web address https://wcu.blackboard.com/ into the URL box of your web browser. The Blackboard home page will load. You will be prompted for a username and a password.  Blackboard requires you to login using your Catamount email account username (everything before @). Your password is your MyWCU password (PIN). A list of classes available to you on Blackbard will appear. Select the course title (Orchestration and Arranging) from your list. The 470 homepage will load. The site links should be self-explanatory.  To access quizzes, click the "Assessment" button, and then click the assigned quiz link.  Assignments are listed as well. Email or call me if you have problems! Help is available through IT services on campus at the contact information below.

The direct number for the Blackboard 24/7 Support Hotline:  1-866-374-8144
IT Services Helpdesk 828- 227-7487, Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Toll free 866-WCU-7ITS

After Hours (5:00pm – 8:00am) weekdays, holidays, and weekends
IT Services Helpdesk 828- 227-7487, option 1
toll free 866-WCU-7ITS, option 1

What is expected of me ?
The effectiveness of this class is dependent on the sharing of ideas and musical skills among ourselves.  Some of the class assignments and projects will be performed by members of the class in laboratory experiences. Therefore attendance and participation are important and will amount to 10% of your final grade.  

Western Carolina University expects students to recognize the positive effect on academic success of class attendance and participation. All undergraduates are expected to attend all meetings of the courses in which they are enrolled; any absence is incurred at the student’s own risk.

All absences must be documented.  If you are absent for any reason, please let me know about it IN WRITING (preferable by e-mail).  Any field trip consent forms must be presented to me BEFORE the event.  You are responsible for the material covered during the missed class time, excused or not.  University policy permits that after two unexcused absences your letter grade may be lowered by a full letter grade per absence. (For more information about attendance, please refer to the WCU Undergraduate Catalog.)

Punctuality is a courtesy.  It also represents a professional attitude about your work.  Students arriving late to class will not be allowed to take any quiz in progress and will be graded accordingly. Please be on time.

In addition to reading assignments, there will be a worksheet or project assigned for almost all class sessions. A complete list of the readings and assignment timetables are included in the Class Schedule link. Timeliness in completion of assignments is very important. A late assignment will be lowered by a letter grade from the earned grade. Assignments a week late will NOT be accepted.

Listening and score examination are critical to becoming a skilled orchestrator.  Many of your assignments will include these activities.  Listening quizzes covering assigned material will be given at regular intervals. Scores and CDs of assigned listening and the musical examples in the Adler text are on reserve in your classrrom, CO 374. Selected excerpts are posted on Blackboard.

Material will be presented in class in addition to the assigned reading material, so careful attention to note taking applies.

Assigned listening:
Excerpts from the companion CDs from "Orchestration" by Samual Adler, and selected works below:

ORCHESTRA
Benjamin Britten, "Variations on a Theme of Purcell" (Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra)
Samual Barder, Adagio for Strings
Mussorgsky/Ravel, Pictures at an Exhibition (selected movements)
Johnann Sebastian Bach, "Brandenburg" Concerto in F
Franz Joesep Haydn, Concerto for Trumpet in Eb
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart," Eine Kleine Nachtmusick"
Ludwig Van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3
Richard Wagner, "Siegfried Idyll"
Gustave Holst, "Mars, the Bringer of War" from The Planets
P. I. Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker Suite, (selected movements)
Igor Stravinsky, "Le Sacre du Printemps" ("The Rite of Spring") -excerpt
Sergei Prokofiev, Symphony No. 1 "Classical"
Aaron Copland, Red Pony Suite
Krystof Penderecki, "Threnody to the Victims of Hirosim"
John Adams, "A Short Ride in a Fast Machine"
Bruce Frazier, "Fanfare and Filigree," Cues from "Dracula," "Tarzan of the Apes" or other recent works

WIND ENSEMBLE
Johnan DeMeij, "Hobbits" from Symphony No. 1 for Band
Philip Sparke, "Dance Movements"
Adam Gorb, "Away Day"
Frank Ticheli, "Vesuvius"
Dan Welcher, "Zion "
Joseph Schwanter, "And the Mountains Also Rising..."

Will there be special projects?
A series of projects covering a variety of orchestration and notation skills will be assigned during the semester.

Scoring Projects:  Small ensemble scoring.   A selected composition will be scored by you and may be performed by faculty and student guests or instrumentalists in our class.  Each family group of instruments will be represented: strings, woodwind quintet, woodwind choir, brass quintet, brass choir, and mixed percussion.

Final Scoring Project: Scoring for Wind Ensemble.   This is a major project and amounts to 20% of the final grade. A selected composition will be scored for and performed by members of the WCU Wind Ensemble. The session will be audio recorded. An electronic copy of the score and a digital audio file of the recording will be prepared for inclusion in your Education Briefcase. For details about the schedule for this project, see project handout.

Instrument Demonstration. Each student will give a brief demonstration of their major instrument to other members of the orchestration class. The presentation will include a discussion of the construction and parts of the instrument, key, range and registral characteristics, basic fingering scheme, considerations for idiomatic writing for the instrument, and any ancilliary equipment such as reeds, mutes, etc. Please consult your textbook for information as needed. A handout or electronic file of the major points of the presentation may be prepared by the student and used in support of the demonstration. This file will be converted to a portable electronic format (PDF, web page, etc.) and may be included in your Education Briefcase. Presentations may be shared by students of like instruments. The due date of this project will vary depending upon when in the semester your instrument family is listed as assigned textbook reading. Please consult the Class Schedule for details.

Will there be quizzes and exams?
Yes.  Quizzes and worksheets covering assigned reading and listening will be given regularly throughout the semester.  Each assigned reading will have a corresponding quiz in Blackboard. In addition, a final exam coverering the semester material will be given. The final will include instrument transpositions and ranges and a short scoring exercise for Wind Ensemble. Some quizzes and handouts are posted on the Blackboard site.

Cell phone/Electronic Device Policy:
Electronic devices are to be turned off and put away before class begins, unless the instructor has been notified ahead of time that you have a reasonable expectation of receiving an emergency call.  Text messaging is not permitted at any time during class. Using a laptop computer during class for an unrelated activity (i.e. email, Facebook, games, etc.) is not permitted. The instructor reserves the right to reduce your course average by 5% per incident.

CourseEval:
The CourseEval web evaluation links will be active during the last month of classes. Please take advantage of this opportunity to give us your feedback on the class.

Academic Honesty Policy:
Western Carolina University, a community of scholarship, is also a community of honor. Faculty, staff, administrators, and students work together to achieve the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense at WCU because it threatens the quality of scholarship and defrauds those who depend on knowledge and integrity. Academic dishonesty includes the following:
A. Cheating. Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
B. Fabrication. Intentional falsification or invention of information or citation in an academic exercise.
C. Plagiarism. Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of someone else as one’s own in an academic exercise.
D. Facilitation of Academic Dishonesty. Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help someone else to commit an act of academic dishonesty, such as knowingly allowing another to copy information during an examination or other academic exercise.
For specific information on procedures for cases involving allegations of academic dishonesty, see relevant sections in the Students Handbook and the Student Success website under Student Community Ethics.

Office of Disability Services:
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions.  Students who require reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and/or medical condition and provide current diagnostic documentation to the Office of Disability Services.  All information is confidential.  Please contact the Office of Disability Services at (828) 227-3886 or come by Suite 135 Killian Annex for an appointment.

Student Support Services:
Student Support Services provides support to students who are either first-generation, low-income or those who have disclosed a disability with: academic advising, mentoring, one-on-one tutorial support, and workshops focused on career, financial aid and graduate school preparation. You may contact SSS at (828) 227-7127 or email sssprogram@wcu.edu for more information. SSS is located in the Killian Annex, room 138.

Writing and Learning Common (WaLC):
Electronic format (with hyperlinks):
The Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC), located in BELK 207, provides free small-group course tutoring, one-on-one writing tutoring and academic skills consultations, and online writing and learning resources for all students.  All tutoring sessions take place in the WaLC or in designated classrooms on campus. To schedule tutoring appointments, log in to TutorTrac from the WaLC homepage (walc.wcu.edu) or call 828-227-2274. Distance students and students taking classes at Biltmore Park are encouraged to use Smarthinking and the WaLC’s online resources. Students may also take advantage of writing tutoring offered at the Biltmore Park campus on certain days of the week; call 828-227-2274 or log in to TutorTrac and select “Biltmore Park Writing Tutoring” for availabilities.

The Mathematics Tutoring Center: (455 Stillwell, http://mathlab.wcu.edu, 227-3830) provides tutoring in all lower-division math and many CS courses, help with mathematical concepts in other disciplines, and workshops on study skills specific to mathematics courses. Tutoring is available on a drop-in basis, 9-5 and 6-9 pm Monday-Thursday, and 9-5 on Friday or by appointment.

Academic Calendar: includes dates for all breaks, university closures, final exams, etc.  The academic calendar can be found at:  http://www.wcu.edu/academics/campus-academic-resources/registrars-office/academic-calendar.asp.

SYLLABUS STATEMENT (Please complete the survey in the Blackboard link for this class during the 1st week of class.)

I have read the syllabus for MUS 470 and am aware of the requirements and policies for this course.

Please print your complete name _____________________________________________

ID # ____________________

Sign ___________________________________________________________________

Date ____________________

| Class Schedule | Return to 470 Menu Page | Return to Dr. Frazier's Home Page |