CW211 ADVANCED ENSEMBLE WRITING

Fall 2017

Instructor: ________________________________________

Mailbox: __________ Phone: _____________

Office: ____________ Office hours: __________________

Course Chair: Andrea Pejrolo

Course Assistant Chair:

Course Description: A course providing instruction in advanced small group writing concepts, including:
sophisticated rhythm section scoring and groove writing, including writing for auxiliary percussion;
an introduction to writing for voices and strings; background writing for horns, strings, and voices;
manipulation of elements of large-scale form and structure; creation of complex, layered textures; and
hybrid writing techniques involving sequencing and live players. In addition, the course will focus
heavily on score and part preparation.

Course Objectives: Students who complete CW211 will be able to:

1) Write an extended, multi-chorus arrangement for vocals, horns, and rhythm section that
successfully balances elements of content and form.
2) Write idiomatically for the contemporary rhythm section (including multiple percussion, keyboard
and guitar parts) in a wide variety of styles and grooves.
3) Write idiomatically for voice in contemporary popular styles.
4) Create effective backgrounds using horns, strings, and voices.
5) Balance foreground and background elements and create contemporary and complex textures.
6) Successfully combine sequences and live players.
7) Create professional quality scores and parts.

Required Textbooks: Arranging 1 by Bob Doezema

Arranging 2 by Bob Freedman and Ted Pease
Modern Jazz Voicings by Ted Pease and Ken Pullig
Music Notation: Score and Part Preparation by Matthew Nicholl and Richard
Grudzinski

Homework and Quizzes: Weekly assignments will be made as appropriate to course content and
pacing. Outside reading of text material. Quizzes will be given at the discretion of the
instructor.

Exams: None.

Projects: Midterm and final projects consisting of arrangements for rhythm section, horns, and
vocals are required. Specific details and due dates will be announced by the instructor.

Grading: Grading of homework and projects will be based on evidence of the student's
understanding of the material. Primary concern is with accuracy and specificity of notation
and proper utilization of the instruments covered in the course. Attention will also be given
to the degree of compliance with the details of project assignments.
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General Grading Criteria:

A (90-100) Superior; demonstrates mastery of course material.

B (80-89) Good; demonstrates above-average comprehension of course material.
C (70-79) Average; demonstrates adequate comprehension of course material.
D (60-69) Below Average; demonstrates poor, but passable awareness of course material.
F (below 60) Not Passing; demonstrates insufficient assimilation of course material.

Final Grade Determination: Your final grade will be determined by considering the following
components at the indicated weights:

30% Homework
30% Midterm project
40% Final project
Demonstrated understanding of writing concepts and techniques and clarity of notation
constitute the primary criteria for grading.

Attendance Policy: Prompt and regular class attendance is mandatory. Absence and lateness will
affect both your grade and your comprehension of course material. Up to three unexcused
absences will result in a 10% reduction of your grade. More than three unexcused absences
will result in a grade of F for the course. Also, unexcused lateness of more than 10 minutes
will count as an absence.

Topics missed during a class are the responsibility of the student. The instructor is not
obligated to make up the lecture with a student individually.

Texting, cellphone use, and web surfing is not allowed in class for any reason other than
class-related activities. Enforcement of this policy is at the discretion of the instructor.

Deadline for Course Withdrawal: You may withdraw from this class by completing a Student-
Initiated Withdrawal from a Class form at the Office of the Registrar. The withdrawal form
must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar before the end of the 9th week of classes in
Fall and Spring semesters, or the end of the 8th week in the 12-week Summer Session. If
you submit the withdrawal form by the deadline, you will receive a grade of W for the
class. Withdrawing from a class cannot be done after the deadline. For the Fall 2017
semester, the deadline for course withdrawal is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9.

The instructor will not withdraw you from the class for any reason (including absence) or submit
the form for you. It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course.

If you withdraw from this class, you continue to be financially responsible for the class and are not
eligible for a tuition refund or replacement course. Please be aware that withdrawing from
a class may affect scholarship, financial aid, and/or international student visa status. If you
receive financial aid or veterans benefits, your eligibility for aid may be reduced by
withdrawing. If you are an international student, you may jeopardize your F-1 visa status.

In case of doubt about your status and options, ask the instructor, department chair and/or the
Counseling & Advising Center.

The leadership, faculty, and staff members of the Contemporary Writing and Production
Department are anxious to help ensure that the educational needs of all Berklee students are
being met. Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of
a disability is urged to contact Disability Services in the Counseling and Advising Center
(CAC) to privately discuss his/her specific needs. For more information please
visit http://www.berklee.edu/counseling/specialservices.html, the greeting counter in the
CAC, which is located in the 939 Boylston Street building, or call 617-747-2310.
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Berklee College of Music is a diverse community composed of individuals with different life
experiences, viewpoints, belief systems, and identities. A welcoming and inclusive culture is
essential to maintaining the colleges role as a leader in music education and Berklee highly
values the dynamic environment that results when students, faculty, administrators, and
staff from diverse backgrounds come together to learn, live, and work. The Equity Policy
and Process prohibits and addresses sexual misconduct, as well as other forms of
discrimination and/or harassment based on legally protected characteristics and
provisions covered under Title IX of federal law. If you have concerns about a possible
violation of the colleges Equity Policy, please contact Dr. Christopher Kandus-Fisher
at ckandusfisher@berklee.edu. For additional information regarding the Unified Equity
Policy and Process, please consult the Unified Equity Policy Website, which has the most up
to date information and resources at www.berklee.edu/equity.

Course Outline
1. Advanced rhythm scoring functions
a. Rhythmic integration
b. Harmonic reinforcement
c. Solo and soli scoring techniques
d. Integrating the rhythm section with the winds, strings, and voices
e. Combining different grooves, both simultaneously and sequentially
f. Notation for the rhythm section instruments, including percussion

2. Writing for voice

a. Lead vocals: range, timbre, vocal type, etc.
b. Picking the key
c. Vocal combinations for background vocal groups
d. Introduction to background vocal writing
e. Vocal notation

3. Background writing
a. Background vs. foreground writing
b. Use and re-use vs. presentation and development of new material
c. Backgrounds and form

4. Writing for the horn section

a. Review of horn ranges, transposition, clefs, etc.
b. Review of voicing techniques for horns
c. Horn combinations in contemporary popular styles

5. Writing for woodwinds

a. Instruments, ranges, clefs, etc.
b. Introduction to woodwind scoring techniques
c. Woodwind and horn combinations

6. Basic production techniques

a. Sequencer pre-production
b. Introduction to recording strings, horns, and vocals
c. Simple mixing and signal processing concepts
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7. Score and part preparation

a. System layout
b. Page layout
c. Preparing the score by hand vs. by computer
d. Creating the score
e. Extracting the parts
f. Printing the score and parts

Projects

1. A short arrangement of a tune for rhythm section, four horns, and lead vocals.
2. A long arrangement of a tune for rhythm section (with auxiliary percussion), six horns (including
woodwinds), and lead and background vocals.

Score and part proficiency: Through the preparation of the score and parts for the third project, students will
demonstrate preparation typical of professional writers in the industry. The proficiency is pass/fail.
Students will submit the score and parts and make revisions as necessary until the materials meet a
level of quality set by the department. If necessary, students will continue working on the proficiency
after the semester of 211 has ended. The quality of the score and parts will be a component of the
grade of project 3 (as it is or should be in all classes in the concentrate), but students who do not
pass the proficiency before the end of the semester will be able to complete 211 and receive a final
grade that reflects the totality of their work in the course. The proficiency will be a part of the
graduation requirements and be handled much the same way as the completion of the graduation
portfolio.