The course is taught jointly every two years to all students on the bachelor programmes in composition and orchestra/wind orchestra conducting.
The course provides the students with insight and skill in basic instrumentation and orchestration techniques from the 18th to the 20th century and introduces them to the instruments’ characteristics and mode of operation, e.g. through demonstrations.
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, the student is expected to
- possess basic knowledge of the orchestra medium, including the characteristics and mode of operation of each instrument
- demonstrate knowledge of scoring and orchestration techniques
Contents
The course covers
- classical orchestration (Mozart to Beethoven)
- romantic orchestration (Berlioz to Wagner)
- Norwegian/Nordic orchestration
- the Russian tradition (Rimsky-Korsakov to Stravinsky)
- the 20th century (Debussy to Berio)
A detailed timetable and repertoire schedule will be issued at the start of the semester.
Structure
The course is taught jointly to first and second-year students on the bachelor programmes in composition and orchestra/band conducting every two years. It is taught as a combination of seminars, lectures and performance assignments. Activities include score study and orchestration of piano reductions / short scores and transcriptions.
For a summary of indicative workload and structure, please see the description of the programme of study.
The students are automatically registered for tuition/supervision and assessment in the subject in line with the progression set out in the individual education plan.
Course requirements
1. Attendance is mandatory during performances, discussions and evaluations of own and others' assignments.
2. Work portfolio – the student should compile a portfolio containing the following:
- Instrumentation assignments relating to the topics described under “Contents” (normally two-three assignments).
- A written analysis of an own-choice work, composer or style taken from the repertoire covered on the course. The analysis should include note examples or refer to relevant scores (scope: approx. 2,000 words).
- A summary of the orchestral repertoire the student has studied during the course (at least 8 works). The summary should include information about relevant working methods for each work, e.g. recordings, concerts, articles and rehearsals reviewed during the course.
- Reading list of 200–400 pages, approved by the course coordinator.
Deadline: The coursework must be submitted by deadlines set by the course tutor (normally one week after it has been issued). The portfolio must have been completed and approved by the course tutor by 20 May in the second semester of the course.
Final assessment
All course requirements must be met before the student can be given a final assessment.
The assessment is based on the learning objectives for the course. The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis by two internal examiners in the form of an evaluation of the exam portfolio. The final assessment will emphasise the overall impression of the contents of the exam portfolio.
Exam portfolio
Exam portfolio – the student should compile an exam portfolio containing the following:
- Two instrumentation assignments linked to different topics are listed under “Contents”.
- A summary of the orchestral repertoire the student has studied during the course (at least 8 works). The summary should include information about relevant working methods for each work, e.g. recordings, concerts, articles and rehearsals reviewed during the course.
Deadline: The exam portfolio should be submitted digitally to the examinations office by 1 June in the second semester of the course.
New assessment
In the case of re-assessment, the same procedures apply.
Reading list
Scope: 200–300 pages taken from the following core literature:
- Adler: ”The Study of Orchestration ” (2002)
- Berlioz/Strauss: ”Treatise on Instrumentation” (Dover Books on Music, 1948/-91)
- Piston: ”Orchestration” (1955)
- Rimsky-Korsakov: ”Principles of Orchestration” (Dover Publications Inc., 1964)
An itemised list of chapters from the above-mentioned books and other articles will be issued at the start of each topic.