Curricula

Objectives

Harmony:
You can write homophonic and polyphonic musical texture in the periods of Romanticism to the present.

Arrangement:
You know the most used instruments and their uses and compasses, also in different combinations. You have the basic skills to write transcriptions, instrumentations and arrangements for different ensembles.

In this course you learn to create new musical content by composing or arranging according to a given musical style and according to the principles of the time period. You learn how to use a tool for distant learning. In this course you also learn at least one music notation program. You are able to save, use and share online notation documents as part of paperless notation library.

Content

Harmony:
The basic structures of Western Music. Main tools are counterpoint and harmony. The course is divided into two parts: a) 19th Century harmony and b) 20th Century harmony.

Arrangement:
Most usual instruments and their knowledge and uses in different combinations. One half of the course is for the general instrumental knowledge and practising, and the other half for the actual arranging. In this course you also get to know a musical notation program (f.ex. MuseScore, Finale or Sibelius) and the program is also used to make the arrangements.

Time and location

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Learning materials and recommended literature

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Teaching methods

Lectures, group work and different learning assignments. Also distant learning methods.

Practical training and working life connections

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Exam dates and retake possibilities

Harmony: Consists of two parts, of which some are done with learning assignments or sample works and some with exams.The timing for these are December and May.
Arrangement: Different sample arrengements, that are done during the whole school year.

International connections

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Alternative completion methods

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Student workload

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Content scheduling

Harmony: a) 4-part harmony in Romantic style period (September to December), b) 20th (21st) Century style writing (January to May)
Arrangement: The whole school year. At least one of the sample arrangements should be done with a notation program.

Further information for students

Continuous feedback and self-evaluation. Also feedback from exams and assignments.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Harmony:
1:
You can write only very basic harmony, but there are difficulties in many areas.
2:
You know the basics of harmony. You can write texture with both these techniques, staying in a certain style period at the same time. You have some flaws in details and also in bigger context.

Arrangement:
1:
The basics of arranging is not under your control. Challenging to get assignments done.
2:
You know the basic things of arranging, but doing a little more difficult assignments is challenging. All you arrangements are not practical in terms of performing.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Harmony:
3:
You can write music in different styles without bigger problems. You can use your knowhow in different situations.
4:
Besides the Good (3) knowledge, you know how the written musical work would sound and you also have most of the means to achieve this.

Arrangement:
3:
You have the necessary arranging skills. You are able to use different techniques. Your works performable.
4:
Besides the Good (3) skills, your use of them is versatile. You can invent your own solutions to problematic situations. You have self-initiative in improving your knowledge.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Harmony:
5:
You have quite advanced knowhow of music writing in different styles. You also can use it fluently and creatively. You can write fluently also in exceptional and problematic cases of harmony and counterpoint. Almost flawless writing.

Arrangement:
5:
You have the skills and knowledge of arranging also in bigger compositional textures. You can invent solutions to many different problems creatively. You can get information through different channels. Your sample works are natural and easily performed in practice.

Prerequisites

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Further information

The course consists of two different parts: Harmony (3 credits) and Arrangement (6 credits).