Music Arranging

Dennis Enns, BMus., ARCT E-mail: thepianoguy@shaw.ca

Fall 2015 Phone: 604-789-9004
3 credit hours Class Days _________
Class time(s)________
The mission of Columbia Bible College is to equip people for a life of
discipleship, ministry, and leadership in service to the church and community.

Course Description
A guided study course in arranging music for varied settings. Basic areas covered will be
musical styles, forms, and techniques for worship band, instrumental or choral arranging.
Although all these areas will be discussed and analyzed, the student will be required to
focus on worship band or choral/instrumental arrangement and produce a piece of
significant merit as a final project. Further topics may include orchestration for winds/
strings/brasses/percussion, instrumental writing techniques and choral styles and voicing.

Prerequisite - Contemporary Music Theory III & Keyboard Lab II & Applied Music.

Objectives
1. to increase knowledge of music styles
2. to expand musical understanding, horizons and appreciation
3. to develop confidence in using theoretical knowledge and applying it in a practical
setting.
4. to develop skills in arranging music for a church setting.

Upon satisfactory completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of:
- Music styles: Gospel, Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, Latin, Celtic and Jazz
- Techniques for worship bands
- Instrumental and/or choral arranging
- Orchestration
- Instrumental writing techniques
- Choral styles and voicing
2. Demonstrate ability to:
- Arrange music in a variety of musical styles
- Communicate arrangement to a choral or band setting
- Orchestrate music for a small instrumental section
Course Textbooks
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Course Requirements
1) Class attendance. 13 hours
2) Weekly Class Assignments... 26 hours
3) Midterm Exam... 2 hours
4) Final Exam. 2 hours
5) Final Project. 47 hours

Total Hours.80-90 hours

Marks will be based on:

1. Weekly written assignments. Students are expected to spend an average of 2 hours per
week on assignment outside of class.
- Ongoing 40%
2. Midterm and Final Exams
- Midterm exam week.. 10%
- Final exam week. 20%

3. Final Project
The student will be expected to arrange and perform music of significant length and
depth. The musical arrangement should include elements that have been worked on
through the semester. It should demonstrate variety in style and good orchestrations. The
student will be expected to present the finished project in a worship setting and submit a
videotape or audio tape of the performance.
- Final exam week.... 50%

Mark Distribution:
Weekly Assignments 40% As assigned in class
Midterm Exam 10% Midterm exam week
Final Exam 20% Last lesson of semester
Project 30% As assigned in class

Course Outline (subject to change)

September: Class 1 - Review of Contemporary Theory III

 Class 2 - Instrumental and/or Choral Arranging Basics
Class 3 - Instrumental Writing Techniques
October: Class 4 - Orchestration
Class 5 - Choral Styles and Voicing
Class 6 - Musical Style: Pop, Rock
Class 7 - Musical Style: Country, Folk
Class 8 Musical Style: Classical
November: Class 9 - Musical Style: Gospel
Class 10 - Musical Style: Jazz
Class 11 Musical Style : Jazz Continued
Class 12 - Musical Style: Celtic
December Class 13 - Musical Style: Latin
Class 14 Musical Style : Electronic / Modern

Academic Policies
For all CBC Academic Policies please refer to the Academic Manual on the CBC
website.
Students are expected to be informed about these policies, particularly the following:

Attendance Policy

Late Assignment Policy

AcademicIntegrity

GradingGrid

Special Instructions
- Only one unexcused absence is allowed which carried a 2% loss on student's semester
grade. After 2 absences, your letter grade will be reduced one step per absence (e.g. B- to
C) and the Registrar will be informed. After 3 unexcused absences the student will no
longer be able to pass the course and will receive a Withdrawn Failing mark but be able
to continue the lessons as a audit.

- Students are responsible to advise the instructor about excused absences (max = ONE;
e.g. illness, athletics game, ministry team commitment or Academic Dean-approved field
trip). For any illness, the student should: contact the instructor at his/her office
(telephone message at CBC or email) the day of the absence. The instructor must be
informed the day of the absence for it to be considered as an excused absence. For games
and other commitments the instructor must be informed before the lesson date. It is the
student's responsibility to be familiar with the Class Participation Policy outlined in the
Student Handbook.
Selected Bibliography
Cacavas, John. Music Arranging and Orchestration. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publishing, c.
1985. Wright, Rayburn. Inside the Score: A detailed Analysis of 8 Classic Jazz Ensemble
Charts. Delvan, NY : Kendor Music, c. 1982.

Sebesky , Don. The Contemporary Arranger: Definitive Edition. Van Nuys , CA: Alfred
Publishing Co., Inc., c. 1994-

Nestico, Sammy. The Complete Arranger Revised Edition. Winnepeg, MB: Fernwood
Music CO., c. 2007.

Pease, Ted and Pullig, Ken. Modern Jazz Voicings, Arranging for small and medium
Ensembles. Boston, MA: Berklee Press, c. 2001.

Mantooth, Frank. Voicings for Jazz Keyboard. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Corp., c.
1986.

Felts, Randy. Reharmonization Techniques. Boston, MA. Berklee Press. C. 2002.