Module: Orchestration & Contemporary Composition

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Orchestration & Contemporary Composition
Module Code	MPA1065 (ITS: MC401)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module explores key concepts and techniques in orchestration, contemporary composition, and music technology through practical tasks and creative composition. Students will gain an understanding of orchestral instruments, performance techniques, instrumental sections, and important repertoire. They will use music analysis to identify the melodic, harmonic, and bass functions of piano scores, and will distribute these to the appropriate orchestral instruments/sections in their artistic orchestration. Students will develop their music technology skills as they manipulate recordings to create compositions of Musique concrète. They will perform and analyse Minimalist works to identify their key compositional techniques. They will use these techniques to compose a work for symphony orchestra as the culmination of their current study in composition.

Learning Outcomes

1. Display an understanding and appreciation of key concepts and techniques in orchestration, contemporary composition, and music technology.
2. Compose short exercises in relevant forms and textures
3. Utilise literacy, performance and compositional skills appropriate to the level
4. Present and manipulate relevant composition work in appropriate notation software
5. Adapt the acquired compositional, performance, literacy and technological skills to the contexts of teaching and research.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture on course content
Assignment Completion	48	Weekly compositional tasks appropriate to course stage
Independent Study	53	Reading, music, listening, score study
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11176	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Seán Doherty	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Contemporary Techniques	50%	Week 6
Assignment	Orchestration	50%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Orchestration
Study of orchestration in a range of repertoire; laying out a score; transcription from short score to open score; instrumental ranges,

combinations, and orchestrating for specific ensembles.

Original composition in Contemporary Style
New forms and new techniques; minimalist styles; electronic media.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Sevsay, E: 2013, The Cambridge Guide to Orchestration, Cambridge University Press., Cambridge,
Cope, D.: 1997, Techniques of the Contemporary Composer, Schirmer/ Cengage Learning, New York,
Gould, E.: 2011, Behind Bars: The Definitive Guide to Music Notation, Faber Music., London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

website: MuseScore Resources, http://www.musescore.org/
website: Online Scores, http://www.imslp.org/
Website: Open Music Theory, Orchestration, https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/part/orchestration/