MUS 314 : Orchestration

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A continuation and expansion of the topics addressed in MUS 214. Studies will be broadened to include a stronger emphasis on orchestration, including technique and repertoire.

Course Overview

The study of symphonic orchestration including the ranges and characteristics of the core instruments within each instrumental section. The primary aim of this course is to develop technical and aesthetic aspects of writing for a range of musical instruments in an orchestral context, specifically transcribing, reducing and arranging notated music for large ensembles. Repertoire examined in this course will cover a broad range of sonic possibilities, encouraging creative approaches to orchestral imagination and perception.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 214

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop capacity for transcribing and arranging extant musical ideas between distinct instrumental forces (Capability 3.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  2. Enhance student's aesthetic decision-making in transcribing and arranging that utilises idiomatic technical and colour characteristics for the variety of studied musical instruments (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 8.1)
  3. Expand knowledge of orchestral repertoire across several periods of the Western musical canon including 21st Century. (Capability 1.2 and 6.1)
  4. Learn and apply processes for approaching new and unfamiliar instruments. (Capability 3.2, 4.1 and 8.2)
  5. Analyse and evaluate a range of technical and aesthetic approaches. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Pre Task - Module 1 5% Individual Coursework
Assignments - Module 1 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments - Module 2 25% Individual Coursework
Assignments - Module 3 25% Individual Coursework
Assignments - Module 4 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Pre Task - Module 1
Assignments - Module 1
Assignments - Module 2
Assignments - Module 3
Assignments - Module 4

Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specied on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate before the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalized 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Lecture
• Instrumental methodology, techniques and notation
• Applied research practices 

 Reading
• Instrumental methodology, techniques and notation
• Study of relevant repertoire 

Group Discussion
• Questions to lecturer and feedback to group (In class-workshop)
• Teacher and student led work

Consultation
• In office time for individual or small group of students to seek counsel on projects

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures,48 hours of technical and repertoire study, 78 hours of work on assignments and class preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at certain scheduled activities including to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings where university camera-equipped rooms are used, or otherwise to the best of a teachers' ability to provide. Other learning activities including office hours will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All course readings are available via Reading Lists on Canvas, added week to week. Other Materials including scores and recordings also on Canvas and in class.

Computer access for use of ProTools/Logic/Max: Students enrolled in MUS 314 will receive access to 250-215/216 (Composition Studios 1&2) during the hours of 7.30am-11.00pm weekdays and 8.00am-6.00pm weekends. Access cards should be automatically enabled by week 4 of semester. Students who experience difficulty with obtaining access to the composition studio should contact the NICAI Student Centre, Building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 2. 

Computer access for use of Sibelius: Faculty computers are available both at the School of Music Composition Studio 2, 250-215, 6 Symonds St, and at the Kenneth Meyers Centre, 820-118, 74 Shortland St. Additional computers are located in the Architecture building 421, 26 Symonds St, Level 5, Room 521. 

Remember, save your work frequently and always back up!

Use of Canvas is primarily for resources and submitting assignments. 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

This year's course will aim to provide appropriate audio examples of all class content, where available. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/10/2023 08:36 a.m.