Outline

Overview

The study of advanced orchestration and instrumentation techniques of the 20th and 21stcenturies and application of these to orchestration Task and a major orchestration assignment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CMPN1611
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students should be competent in score writing and fundamental knowledge of instruments and orchestration while also having composition experience
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Gerard Brophy, gerard.brophy@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Major orchestration Orchestration of Debussy's Danseuses de Delphe, Prelude Nr. 1, Book 1.	70%	STUVAC Due date: 12 Nov 2023 at 23:59	3'33
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short orchestration task 1 String orchestration of Scriabin's Prelude Nr. 2, 5 Preludes Op. 74	15%	Week 04 Due date: 27 Aug 2023 at 23:59	17 bars
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short orchestration task 2 Woodwind ensemble orchestration of Szymanowski's Etude 5, Etudes Op. 33	15%	Week 07 Due date: 17 Sep 2023 at 23:59	13 bars
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.
Distinction	75 - 84	Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential.
Credit	65 - 74	Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.
Pass	50 - 64	Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.
Fail	0 - 49	Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	General introduction, historical contexts and a discussion of orchestral colour focusing on Brophy's Colour red...your mouth...heart. Additional resources include works such as Penderecki's St Luke Passion, Ravel's Alborada del Gracioso Op. 43c and Schoenberg's Five Pieces Op. 16 among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Strings with a particular focus on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Additional resources include excerpts from works by Bartok, Debussy, Mahler, Mussorgsky, Strauss, Stravinsky, Vaughan Williams. New uses and extended techniques: Excerpts discussed include works by Bartok, Khachaturian, Ligeti, Lutoslawski, Messiaen, Prokofiev, Sciarrino, Shostakovich, Szymanowski, Takemitsu and Xenakis among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Winds with a particular focus on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Additional resources include excerpts selected from works by Bartok, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky. New roles and extended techniques: Excerpts discussed include works by Ambrosini, Andriessen, Berio, Miho Hazama, Holliger, Ligeti, Messiaen, Hermeto Pascoal, Reich, Sciarrino and Shostakovich among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Brass with a particular focus on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. New roles and extended techniques: Excerpts discussed include works by Andriessen, Bartok, Copland, Fischer, Stravinsky and Xenakis among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Percussion: New roles and extended techniques: Excerpts selected from works by Brophy, Ishii, N'Diaye Rose, Reich, Takemitsu and Xenakis among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Guitar, Harp, Piano: Excerpts selected from works by Balakirev, Britten, Brouwer, Debussy, Henze, Houghton, Kapustin, Ligeti, Ravel, Salzedo, Villa-Lobos and Walton among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	The Voice: Excerpts selected from works by Ligeti, Mozart, Penderecki, Ravel, Schoenberg, Sciarrino, Stravinsky and Tallis among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Build-ups and massive moments: Excerpts selected from works by Bartok, Berg, Berio, Messiaen, Ravel, Rautavaara, Sciarrino, Strauss and Stravinsky among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Dreamscapes, Transparency and Magical Textures: Excerpts selected from Bartok, Berg, Debussy, Holst, Kancheli, Ravel, Rimsky-Korsakov, Schoenberg, Sciarrino and Szymanowski among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Non-Western Instruments I: Excerpts including instruments from Armenia, China, Indian sub-continent, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Non-Western Instruments II: Excerpts including instruments from Armenia, China, Indian sub-continent, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Back to the Future: Summary and overview: Excerpts selected from works by Bjork, Bons, Brophy, Bussotti, Donatoni, Feldman, Miho Hazama, Maderna, Hermeto Pascoal and Joni Mitchell among others.	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. to cultivate a more profound appreciation of the historical perspective of the art of orchestration.
LO2. to further explore the nuances and intricacies of orchestral, chamber and solo instruments and, as a consequence, to develop a deeper, more discerning understanding of the advanced concepts of instrumentation and orchestration.
LO3. to expand and broaden the knowledge of instruments and thus optimise the range of expressive and timbral options.
LO4. through the examination and analysis of a broad range of instrumental and orchestral textures, to acquire a higher and richer level of instrumental expertise.
LO5. to develop an appreciation and understanding of a range of non-Western instruments and to become adept at incorporating these exciting new expressive possibilities into the fabric of future works.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The breadth and scope of this unit have been widened since it was last taught.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CMPN3620: Advanced Instrumentation/Orchestration

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links