Introduction to Composition and Orchestration for Media Composers

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of composition and orchestration from the perspective of the media composer. Students learn compositional tools, musical gestures, and basic principles of orchestration within a cinematic scoring context. The course also examines different ensemble sizes, the standard orchestral seating chart, and the differences between writing for soloists and sections. Students learn the core concepts of writing for visuals in order to best support a dramatic narrative. These techniques include form, rhythm, leitmotif and thematic development, ostinatos, modulations, modes, and a broadening of one’s harmonic vocabulary.

By integrating the orchestral tradition with modern media scoring conventions and music notation software, students learn foundational subjects such as dynamic curves, woodwind and brass doublers, and score and parts formatting. Through score reading and analysis, the course will stress a strong grasp of music notation.

Students will gain a toolkit of effective composition techniques in melodic development and transformation, harmony and voice leading, and musical texture. The course will guide them through the fundamentals of orchestration to the preparation of a full score to industry standards in the software program Dorico. In addition, students are introduced to varying combinations of acoustic instruments and instrument families.

This course meets for two hours with an additional 90-minute required seminar. Students are introduced to varying combinations of acoustic instruments and instrument families during the required 90-minute combined seminar each week.