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Course Syllabus

MUSC 4130 Commercial Arranging

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: MUSC 3120
  • Semesters Offered: Fall
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2025
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 18

Course Description

This course focuses on the practical application of skills learned in Music Theory I-IV as they apply to creating musical arrangements. Assignments will cover topics that lead to the creation of a full arrangement for studio orchestra or jazz ensemble. Topics of study will include the ranges and of instruments and voices, arrangement planning and options, melodic paraphrase, harmonization of melody, approaches to various parts of an arrangement, writing for each section, and strategies for full band harmonization.

Justification

Arranging courses are typically required of music composition majors throughout the state of Utah and are a standard part of music major degrees at most colleges and universities accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Courses in commercial arranging are also typically found in commercial music programs throughout the United States.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to arrange for a designated instrumentation, with a specific task (including harmonizing a melody, varying a melody, composing and harmonizing an introduction, solo background, interlude, ending, or some other element of an arrangement). These arrangements will be created using digital notation software.
  2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of contemporary instrumental and vocal styles as well as all musical terms associated with these styles.
  3. Students will demonstrate proficiency in a variety of compositional techniques through composition of short works that are easily understood and playable by other musicians.
  4. Students will demonstrate the ability to complete an arrangement, comprising assembly, editing and preparation of parts and a score.
  5. Students will be able to analyze commercial repertoire, explaining the musical elements of each piece, such as dynamics, articulation, range, timbre, texture, rhythm, etc.

Course Content

Course topics will include the ranges and of instruments and voices, arrangement planning and options, melodic paraphrase, harmonization of melody, approaches to various parts of an arrangement (including introduction, main melody, interludes, solo backgrounds, full ensemble writing, endings), writing for each section (woodwinds/saxophones, brass, rhythm/percussion instruments, strings, voices), and strategies for full band harmonization.