Units / ATS3819
ATS3819 · Orchestration and arranging
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 3Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
In this unit you will examine issues associated with the arrangement, score preparation and orchestration of works from a range of musical traditions. You will learn to orchestrate excerpts from select works and investigate idiomatic considerations. In-class performance workshops provide you with practical experience and feedback.
Areas of study: Composition and music technology Music performance
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Analytical Exercise | Exercise | 20% | — |
| 2 | Practice Portfolio | Portfolio | 20% | — |
| 3 | Musical Score | Artefact | 30% | — |
| 4 | Musical Score | Artefact | 30% | — |
Within semester assessment: 100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
prohibitions
- ATS3899 — Jazz arranging: Contemporary arranging techniques for small groups to large ensembles
Learning outcomes
- critically evaluate and discuss various orchestration and arranging techniques from written scores and audio examples;
- critically analyse and explain various orchestration and arranging techniques and methodologies as informed by historical practices;
- apply orchestration and arranging concepts to the formulation and development of your own musical works/arrangements.
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Workshops | 12 hours |
| Tutorials | 24 hours |
| Lectures | 12 hours |
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