Academic Catalogs

MUS A133: Orchestra

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 100400 - Music
Units 1 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lab Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable Yes; Repeat Limit 3
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)
  • OC Active Participation - AA (OC2)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)
  • OCC Arts - AS (OSC1)

Course Description

Rehearsal and performance of music from the standard symphonic orchestral literature. Open to advanced performers of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Regularly scheduled public concerts during the school year. This course may be taken four times. PREREQUISITE: Eligibility based on successful audition. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: MUS 180.C-ID: MUS 180.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Diagnose technical challenges in symphonic literature.
  2. Formulate practice exercises and a practice schedule to address technical challenges.
  3. Perform a public concert as a member of the Orchestra.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Apply orchestra ensemble techniques.
  • 2. Demonstrate familiarity with symphonic literature.
  • 3. Increase skills, background and experience as a performing musician.
  • 4. Sight read symphonic music while following a conductor.
  • 5. Perform with accurate intonation.
  • 6. Demonstrate the ability to follow a conductor including the following techniques; a. Tempo b. Articulation c. Accelerando d. Phrasing e. dynamics

Lecture Content

This is a lab only course.

Lab Content

1. Repertoire overviewa. Themeb. Principal assignmentsc. Evaluation of placementd. Recorded examples of concert repertoire2. Sight readinga. Simple selections progressing to difficultb. Complete selectionsc. Overview of ensemble sound3. Rehearsal techniquea. Rhythmic accuracy as an ensemblei. Examples of rhythmic motifsii. Performance of motifsiii. Vocalizationb. Stylistic elementsi. Unique articulationsii. Stylistic articulationsiii. Notation of articulations1. Variations in notation2. Variations in performance3. Historic contextiv. Types of articulations1. Staccato2. Accent3. Marcato4. Tenuto5. Legatov. performance of articulations4. Ensemble skillsa. Balance pyramidi. Low register instruments1. Dominant2. Brass3. Strings4. Reedsii. Mid register instruments1. Brass2. Strings3. Windsiii. High register instruments1. Brass2. Strings3. Windsiv. Percussion1. Unpitched2. Pitchedb. Dynamicsi. Control of pianissimo phrasesii. Control of forte phrasesiii. Crescendoiv. Diminuendo 5. Ensemble cohesivenessa. Following the conductorb. Downbeatc. Ritardandod. Accelerandoe. Penultimate measure6. Concert preparationa. Performance run throughi. One compositionii. Entire concert

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Group rehearsal and performance, solo rehearsal and performance

Reading Assignments

.

Writing Assignments

Students must demonstrate proficiency in performing symphonic music to the instructors satisfaction to complete the course. This will include ensemble performance, sight reading and technical studies.

Out-of-class Assignments

.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Participation in rehearsals, sectionals, and performance in concerts.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students must demonstrate proficiency in performing symphonic music to the instructors satisfaction to complete the course. This will include ensemble performance, sight reading and technical studies.

Other Resources

1. Music scores will be provided by the instructor.