Course Code
Academic Year
This course provides students with the necessary skills to write and orchestrate in diverse contemporary music styles for ensembles consisting of a rhythm section, a horn section of up to three mixed brass and reed instruments, lead vocal, and up to three background vocalists. Through interactive classroom learning, transcription and analysis of exemplary stylistic models, arranging assignments, and live performance of their arrangements, students gain an understanding of harmonic, melodic, rhythmic, and timbral aspects of, and the ability to arrange in, styles including pop-rock, soul, R&B, funk, and their important subgenres. Functions and stylistic features of rhythm section instruments (electric and acoustic bass, drum set, auxiliary percussion, piano, keyboards, electric and acoustic guitars), horns, and background vocals are examined. In the final project of the semester, students apply this knowledge to the creation of a complete original arrangement of an existing piece of music.