Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
MUP 285
UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA
Approved by Department: November 4, 2003
COURSE DESCRIPTION
University Orchestra will rehearse and perform the instrumental music literature of the 18th, 19th and 20th
centuries, including genres such as the overture, suite symphony, concerto, as well as music from ballet. In
addition, there will be opportunities to experience various forms of vocal literature, such as oratorio,
cantata, opera, mass, as well as music from musical theatre. Formal concerts will take place each semester,
with additional performances such as children’s concerts and musical theatre productions.
One semester hour credit
COURSE RATIONALE
Musical performing organizations provide opportunities for students to develop their technical and
interpretive skills by exposing them to various styles of music literature. The actual performance of music
also allows students to develop a greater sensitivity to and understanding of the elements, techniques, and
stylistic concepts of the musical score. Students will develop an aesthetic and intellectual awareness through
the rehearsal and performance experience.
The artistic and academic values experienced by students belonging to a musical performing organization
are commensurate with the artistic and academic values of studio courses in other art areas. This equation is
valid since the studio course format involves creative and interpretive aesthetic applications that elicit
psycho-motor responses--the very type of creative and interpretive responses realized by the participants of
a musical performing organization. Participation in a musical organization, with its academic and artistic
orientation, is analogous to the curricular orientation of laboratory, practicum, and studio courses.
The artistic and academic expertise demanded of faculty directors, and the continuing year long programs
that culminate in public concerts, serve to exemplify and strengthen the curricular status that should be
accorded performing organizations.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To develop, through preparation and performance of music repertoire, the following skills, attitudes, and
understandings:
1. SKILLS: Instrumental production and articulation of musical sounds, in an expressive manner that is
appropriate to the style and character of the music literature being rehearsed or performed.
2. ATTITUDES: Participation in a musical ensemble will allow for artistic growth, personal expression, and
a broadening of musical and artistic sophistication. Through public performances, the relationship between
university and community will be enhanced.
3. UNDERSTANDINGS: Through rehearsal and performance, student musicians will experience the
relationship of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form, as well as the significance of music from various
historical periods. In addition, student musicians will recognize the place that fine music literature occupies
in contemporary culture.
COURSE OUTLINE
A. Organizational and tonal aspects of the orchestra
1. Balance and blend of string, woodwind, brass and percussion sections
2. Integration of an individual performer’s capabilities with the ensemble
3. Placement of musicians for most effective performance
B. Orchestra literature
1. Types
a. Overture
b. Suite
c. Symphony
d. Ballet
e. Concerto
f. Musical Theatre
g. Orchestra with Choir (Cantata, Oratorio, Mass, etc)
2. Styles
a. Baroque
b. Classical
c. Romantic
d. Impressionistic
e. Expressionistic
f. Jazz
g. Contemporary
C. Development of Musicianship
1. Tone quality
a. Intonation
2. Articulation
a. Bowings
b. Tonguing
3. Rhythm
a. Playing as an ensemble
b. Percussion considerations
4. Expression
a. Dynamics
b. Musical style and character
D. Requirements of orchestral membership
1. Individual contribution to rehearsals and performance
a. Regular attendance
2. Individual contribution to the organization
a. Committee work
b. Creative planning
c. Promotion
ASSESSMENT
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives will be based
upon the following:
1. Regular performance in individual lessons/rehearsals through oral and written critiques, with
respect to preparation, technical advancement, general musicianship, and repertoire learned,
among others.
2. Attendance at performance labs and on-campus concerts and performances.
3. Quality of performance in studio master classes, performance labs, student recitals, and
ensemble concerts.
4. Performance in end-of-semester jury for private applied courses. A panel of faculty members
will prepare adjudication sheets of the student’s jury including grades. The student’s teacher will
compile the information and determine a final semester grade. The jury sheets will be kept in the
student’s permanent record in the music office.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Primary resources will be the music literature selected to be rehearsed and performed each semester.
Additional resources are as follows:
Bamberger, Carl. The Conductor’s Art. New York: Columbia Press, 1989.
Berger, Melvin. The Anchor Guide to Orchestral Masterpieces. New York: Anchor
Books, published by Doubleday, 1995.
Colwell, Richard J. and Thomas Goolsby. The Teaching of Instrumental Music.
2nd Edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentic Hall, 1991.
Downs, Philip G. Classical Music. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1992.
Green, Elizabeth A.H. The Modern Conductor. 6th Edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 1996.
Kennan, Kent and Donald Grantham. The Technique of Orchestration. 5th Edition
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996.
Kuhn, Wolfgang E. Instrumental Music: Principles and Methods of Instruction. Boston: Allyn and Bacon,
Inc., 1962.
Ott, Leonard. Orchestration and Orchestral Style of Major Symphonic Works.
Edwin Mellon Press, 1997.
Ulrich, Homer. Symphonic Music. New York: Columbia University Press, 1990.
Ulrich, Homer. Chamber Music. Reprint Service Corp., 1993.