MUSC 4031

Mon and Wed, 10am-10:50am

Fall Semester 2005

NB08 (”Combo Room”)

Prof. John Gunther

E-mail: guntherj@colorado.edu

Office: C-131

Office hours: Mon. - Thurs. 11-12pm

Class website address: TBA

Phone: 303-735-1492

Course Objective:

In this course you will learn to arrange music for a variety of small jazz and contemporary ensembles.

You will learn the ranges and transpositions of standard instruments used and how to notate a score and individual parts. Form, texture, thematic development, voicing, and counterpoint will also be discussed. Use of notation software such as “Sibelius” or “Finale” is encouraged.

Course requirements: Attendance at all classes [Class begins at 10am sharp]

Completion of all class assignments on time

Class Notebook

You will be required to keep a notebook during class. Here you will make note of information given during lectures and of assignments. A spiral notebook of staff paper is suggested as much of the course notes will be musical examples. Class notebooks are due at end of each semester

Text: “Jazz Composition and Arranging” T.Boras

(Available at CU Bookstore)

Class grade determined by: 40% Midterm/ Final 20% Note book

20% Weekly assignments 20% Class participation/attendance

The following grading scale will be used:

93-100             A                     74-77               C                     

90-92               A-                    70-73               C-

88-89               B+                    68-69               D+

84-87               B                      64-67               D

80-83               B-                    60-63               D-

78-79               C+                    below 60          F

Attendance and grading policy

Attendance, promptness, and participation are crucial to your success in this course. Excessive tardiness (more than 3 instances) will impact your final grade. For each 3 unexcused absences, your grade will be lowered one letter grade. Only the instructor will decide what constitutes an excused or unexcused absence. The instructor is not responsible for re-lecturing material missed because of an absence.

Week 1: 8/22 Auditions - Class will not meet

8/24 Basics of notation and score layout, jazz arranging

READING: Chap. 1

TEST: “Get to know you test”

ASSIGNMENT: Write out melody with different transpositions & notation considerations

Week 2: 8/29 Form, Transcription, Reading review

8/31 READING: “Line Concepts” Chap. 2

ASSIGNMENT: Write single line over given changes

Week 3: 9/5 Blues Basic form and variations

9/7 READING: “...reharmonization” Chap 3

ASSIGNMENT: Write a blues melody over basic blues form, write a solo line with it in lead sheet style

Week 4: 9/12 Perform blues in class

Reharmonizing a blues; Variations on a blues [form, meter, harmony]

9/14 Reharmonization cont.

READING: “Bass Motion & Bass Lines” Chap. 4

ASSIGNMENT: Compose a blues with variations on form, meter and/or harmony.

Week 5: 9/19 Perform blues in class

Writing for the rhythm section; Piano trio, etc. :

9/21 Writing for rhythm cont.

READING: “Writing for rhythm section, horns...” Chap. 5

ASSIGNMENT: Write an arrangement of a standard “tune” for piano trio. Should have notated bass parts; Utilize variations of form, meter and/or harmony

Week 6: 9/26 Play arrangements,

Arranging for two horns & rhythm section

9/28 READING: “Basics of Voicings” Chap. 6

ASSIGNMENT: Compose original melody over a standard tune utilizing reharm, notated bass, etc.; Two Horns plus rhythm section

Week 7: 10/3 Arranging for two horns cont.

10/5 READING: “Melodic Analysis...” Chap. 7

ASSIGNMENT: Arrangement for two horns

Week 8: 10/10 Arranging for three horns

READING: “Counterpoint...” Chap. 8

10/12 MIDTERM [break on 13 -14]

Week 9: 10/17 Arranging for three horns cont.

10/19 “ “

Week 10: 10/24 Arranging for 4 horns

10/26 “ “

Week 11: 10/31 Four Horns

11/2 “ “

Week 12: 11/7 Five Horns [sax section]

11/9 Final project assignment

Week 13: 11/14 Rhythm as Compositional element

11/16 “ “ “

Week 14: 11/21 Texture as compositional element

11/23 “ “ “

Week 15: 11/28 Catch up, loose ends, review

11/30 “ “ “

Week 16: 12/5 Finals review

12/7 Notebooks due

Week 17: FINAL Tuesday, Dec. 13th, from 10:30am to 1pm

____________________________________________________

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to

me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may

be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on

documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and

www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every

effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of

religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or

required attendance. In this class, {{insert your procedures here}}

See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate

learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards

may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to

treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom

discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their

students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are

especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with

differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender

variance, and nationalities. See polices at

http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at

http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for

knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution.

Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic

dishonesty, fabrication, lying, or bribery.