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Unit of study_

CMPN1611: Instrumentation and Orchestration

2024 unit information

Instrumentation and Orchestration, enhances students' knowledge of the modern orchestra while reinforcing core musicianship skills. Instrumentation study investigates the technical limitations and expressive potential of individual instruments. Orchestration examines a range of instrumental combinations in diverse styles and ensemble contexts, and requires that students learn best typographic practice and current conventions of notation and score layout. In examining instrumental characteristics the unit will also cover the fundamentals of acoustics and timbre perception, and will demand a thorough grasp of the harmonic series and its broader musical implications. Throughout the course students will be required to present their own arrangements and transcriptions.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
Students enrolling in this unit of study are expected to be able to read and understand instrumental music notation of moderate complexity

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

  • LO1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of composition and arranging for a wide variety of classical acoustic instrumental ensembles.
  • LO2. Understand the musical and physical characteristics of instruments of the modern symphony orchestra.
  • LO3. Appreciate the precepts of good musical notation practice and have practical experience in producing effective music layout.
  • LO4. Better understand the psycho-acoustic implications of instrumental timbre and its relation to the natural harmonic series.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.