This course is designed to introduce the basic skills and concepts required for musical arranging and original composition, both of which will be studied on an independent basis in MTH 393, should you choose to continue pursuing the composition/arranging emphasis.
Classes will be taught as a combination of lecture and seminar. Generally speaking, the first day of the week will tend toward lecture, involving various examples of arrangements and compositions, examination of musical scores. The second class of the week will tend toward a seminar, in which you will share your efforts with the entire class. In a course such as this, we will frequently be exposing the results of our personal creativity to the light of criticism. It bears repeating that our comments to one another should be constructive, tactful, and well-considered. Similarly, when receiving critique, our reaction should be to take things in stride. Any negative comments are not aimed at you, but at the improvement of the craft which we all seek to develop. Considerate behavior on the parts of both the giver and receiver of critique will provide for a more relaxed and comfortable environment for all.
In addition to smaller assignments, two principal projects will be completed for the term, each of which will be introduced and discussed in class.
An arrangement of a previously composed tune or song in the public domain in lieu of a midterm.