Unit A: Tonal Analysis: This unit builds on studies in analysis by applying analytical techniques to more harmonically challenging repertoire from the Romantic period. The bulk of the course will be devoted to familiarising students with the workings of complex chromatic progressions and the examination of structural relations within this context in addition to voice leading and motivic/thematic techniques.
Unit B: Arrangement and Orchestration
Arrangement and Orchestration concerns the study of advanced arrangement for mixed choir divisi, orchestra and chamber ensemble. It includes detailed consideration of instrumentation and harmonic and timbral voicing appropriate for larger instrumental and vocal forces. The study of applicable repertoire by composers of the late nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries is enhanced by the students’ own workings as they further their knowledge of orchestration, arrangement of folk material, and reduction of larger works to chamber ensemble.
Core: Stage 3 (Church Music)
Option: Yes – available in Stage 3 or Stage 4
Unit A: Tonal Analysis
The module will be based mainly on repertoire from the early to mid-Romantic period with an emphasis on advanced harmonic progressions and voice-leading/motivic components.
Unit B: Arrangement and Orchestration
The study of advanced arrangement, handling modality with flair and fluency in choral and orchestral contexts.
Advanced choral writing, incorporating the study of recent choral compositions, and those from the twentieth-century canon.
Instrumentation and detailed study of the function and workings of instruments of the orchestra.
Orchestration and the manipulation of orchestral forces for the creation of successful timbres appropriate for a range of musical settings.
Examination of orchestral scores which demonstrate a wide and effective range of compositional approaches.
Unit A: Tonal Analysis
The unit will be delivered through weekly one-hour lectures. The lectures will equip students with an ability to examine complex harmonic progressions and detect structural divisions within this context.
Peer-to-peer learning through group work (typically 2-3 students), will be an essential component of the course in order to practice applying the techniques learned. Further practice will be obtained through bi-weekly assignments to develop an advanced level of tonal analytical competence in preparation for an analytical project.
Unit B: Arrangement and Orchestration
Characteristic arrangement, instrumentation and orchestration techniques are acquired through the study of repertoire from orchestral and choral composers from the last hundred years. A combination of listening, core study and analysis, exercises in detailed instrumentation, and the practice of creating chamber reductions or orchestral works form the basis of the learning methods, taking place in the context of a weekly 1.5 hour class.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 30 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 70 |