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Music 470 - Orchestration & Arranging
Scoring Project for Wind Ensemble

FINAL PROJECT: Scoring for Wind Ensemble.
A selected composition will be scored for and performed by members of the WCU Wind Ensemble.
This is a major project and amounts to 20% of the final grade.
The session will be audio recorded and an electronic copy of the score and a digital audio file of the recording will be prepared for inclusion in a portfolio.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018
4:00-5:45 PM, setup at 3:45 PM in the Band Room (NOTE: this time and date is subject to change)

Project Timetable

March 19	Compositions for scoring are assigned, or alternate compositions submitted for approval. Orchestrations of 19th and 20th century character pieces for the piano, choral octavos and chorales are examples of typical projects. The average project length is 32-64 measures lasting about TWO minutes. The objective is a Band and Orchestra grade 3 level of difficulty. Choose a key that best compliments the instruments: C, F, Bb, Eb or their relative minors are typical.
March 19 to April 20	A MIDI or "Finale" draft of the score, pencil sketch, structural diagram or other analysis of the music may be reviewed. A 30 minute appointment with Dr. Frazier for review is recommended.
April 20	COMPLETED FULL SCORE is due for approval! ("Finale" file)
April 20- 27	Parts are extracted. Scores and parts are printed and bound. Please NOTE: All scores must be approved BEFORE PRINTING!
Sunday, April 29	OPEN LAB in CO374, if needed. The lab will be open in the evening hours. Assistants will be available for help with printing parts and scores including binding.
April 30	Regular class meeting. We will make final preparations for the session. The parts and scores will be given to the librarians and the music placed in performance order in the folders for distribution at the session. It is your responsibility to get your music to the librarians before the class is over.
Wednesday, May 2	PERFORMANCE DAY. Regular class meeting to complete preparations for the session. The performance will be in the band room, 4:00-5:45 PM, Setup will begin at 3:45. Books will be distributed and the class will start promptly at 4:00. Each student will have about 6 mins to perform the project. All 470 students are required to attend. Band members will perform except when their piece is being played. If you have a class conflict, please alert Dr. Frazier ahead of time so your piece can be scheduled at the most convenient time. Help for setup for the session and reset after the session is needed.
May 4	LAST CLASS. We will collate scores and parts from the session, read evaluations, listen to recordings and discuss the final exam.
Wednesday, May 9 (Final Exam) 8:30 - 11:00 AM	The exam will cover transposition and instrument ranges, and a short hand-written orchestration for wind ensemble, 8:30-11:00 AM, Coulter 374

Instrumentation:
This is the required ensemble for scoring. Many parts are doubled or tripled so appropriate number of part copies will be required.
Please use the Finale Wind Ensemble template we created in class for this project.

Woodwinds	Brass	Percussion
flutes, piccolo (5 players) oboe, bassoon (2 players each) 3 Bb clarinets (9 players), Bb bass clarinet (1-2 players) 2 Eb alto saxes (2-3 players), Bb tenor sax, Eb baritone sax	3 Bb trumpets (6 players) 4 horns in F 3-4 trombones (2-3 ten, 1 bass) euphonium (in bass clef, 2 players) tuba (2 players)	4-5 players on a variety of instruments to include: Timpani, mallet (orchestra bells, xylophone, vibes, crotales, chimes, etc.), 2-3 auxilliary (snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, etc.) You must specify any additional instruments that you need, such as Eb soprano clarinet, English horn, soprano sax, etc., before performance day.

Considerations:

1. This activity mirrors a real-life recording session. Preparation for the session is critical. Each orchestrator will have approximately SIX minutes for the project to be read through and recorded.

2. On performance day, the players will be provided with a "book" containing parts from all the orchestrators, placed in performance order (alphabetical by orchestrator). A list of the compositions will be included with the music. There will be no time during the session to pass out parts! You are responsible for getting your parts in the books BEFORE performance day. There will be 3-4 librarians assigned to organize the folders by instrument family (woodwinds, brass, percussion, scores).

3. There must be a enough parts for each STAND of performers. For instance, 3 trumpet parts distributed to 6 players: two 1st, two 2nds, & two 3rds.

4. Provide TWO copies of your score after final approval: one for the session conductor (Dr. Underwood or other faculty member) and one for the "booth" (you and Dr. Frazier). The scores will be 8.5 x 14 inch legal size paper printed on both sides. Both copies of the score must be bound. Spiral bound is best, but taped or in a 3-ring binder that facilitates easy page turns is acceptable. No stapled scores!

5. The parts will be printed on 8.5x11 letter size paper. Multiple-page parts are to be taped.

6. Plan for page turns. Parts longer than two pages must allow time to turn at the end of the first or second page.

7. Percussion instruments needed for your project must be specified ahead of time. The list is due with the score approval. A percussion score must be provided as well as individual parts.

8. Solos or difficult parts may be given to selected performers to prepare ahead of time. Plan ahead. You want the best reading of your music possible.

9. Proof your work! Errors in transposition or copying and wrong notes will slow the process and may results in an unsatisfactory performance (recording) of your work.

10. Key. It is very likely that the key of the original will NOT be the best key for your orchestration. Suggested keys are Eb, Bb, F and C major, or their relative minors. Avoid modulations, especially by half-step. The objective is a Grade III peice that can be easily sightread by the Wind Ensemble.

11. Range. Check the written range of each part to be certain you have not extended its limits. Be careful not to write too high for F horn and tuba, and too low for piccolo, flute, oboe and sax. Remember the lowest written note for the saxophone family is Bb3 (Bb small).

12. Tempo. Tempo and/or metronome markings are vital for the conductor to interpret your composition and must be included.

13. Dynamics. A dynamic marking MUST be written in each part every time the instrument enters or reenters after rest.

14. Articulation. Slurs and articulation markings are vital in determining the true character or flavor of the music.

15. Phrasing. Wind instrumentalists must breathe. Plan and indicate where all phrases begin and end.

16. Refer to the "Guidelines for Scoring" handout for more detailed information and suggestions.