The ability to arrange or compose for different combinations of instruments is a valuable skill for all musicians. This course will introduce the basic skills necessary for this and will be of interest both to composers and performers of all levels of ability and experience. The course will include discussion of examples of good writing for specific combinations of instruments linked to practical exercises in arranging for a wide range of ensembles from small combinations of instruments to full orchestra. There will also be an opportunity to apply these skills to original compositions, if preferred.
Practical Orchestration
This is an In-person course which requires your attendance to the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
Course starts: 25 Jan 2024
Week 1: Introduction and overview
Week 2: Writing for Stringed Instruments I
Week 3: Writing for Stringed Instruments II
Week 4: Writing for Wind Instruments I
Week 5: Writing for Wind Instruments II
Week 6: Writing for Percussion
Week 7: Writing for Small orchestra / ensemble
Week 8: Writing for Full orchestra I
Week 9: Writing for Full Orchestra II
Week 10: Catch- up and Conclusions
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Availability of titles on the reading list (below) can be checked on SOLO, the library catalogue.
Preparatory reading
- The Study of Orchestration / Adler, S
- Workbook for The Study of Orchestration / Adler, S
- Orchestral Technique / Jacob, G
Certification
Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.
To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from between January 1st and July 31st after the current academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £257.00 |
| Take this course for CATs points | £10.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Tutor
Dr Peter Copley
Peter Copley D.Phil, MA, B.mus is a composer, cellist and pianist. He is a visiting lecturer at OUDCE, the University of Sussex and for the Open University, where he has been a Research Associate for the music faculty.
Course aims
To encourage musical arranging and / or composition and, in particular, to teach the necessary skills associated with the craft and technique of writing / arranging for different combinations of instruments.
Course Objectives:
- To introduce students to the basic characteristics of a wide range of instruments.
- To teach students the necessary skills to arrange or compose music for these instruments.
- To teach students to notate their music adequately for practical performance.
Teaching methods
Short lectures with musical examples and workshopping / discussion of students' arrangements and compositions
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course students will be expected to:
- have an understanding of the basic characteristics of a wide range of instruments;
- be able to arrange or compose idiomatically for these instruments;
- be able to notate their music adequately for practical performance.
Assessment methods
Five orchestrations / arrangements or short original compositions will be selected from exercises set during the term.
Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form
Application
To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).
Level and demands
Basic musical literacy and the ability to follow a score are minimum requirements.
Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.