Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Orchestration and Arranging (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 4060-01

Course: MUSC 4060-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 11822

Course Description

A course designed to teach the standard combinations of instruments and voices and how to utilize them in varying combinations as an arranger of composer. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): MUSC 3070 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

The text for this course is Instrumentation and Orchestration, 2nd ed., by Alfred Blatter. This text is required and should be kept as a reference throughout your musical careers.

Learning Outcomes


Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • write idiomatically for the standard instruments of the orchestra
  • combine instrumental sounds and timbre for standard ensembles
  • compose and arrange for standard ensembles
  • assemble parts and score on a professional level

Course Requirements


Assignments
will be given in class as concepts are covered, for practical application. Assignments are original compositions or arrangements using the designated combinations of instruments. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. No late assignments will be accepted. The lowest assignment will be dropped. Excused absences will not be deducted, but assignments must be turned in at the next class period. Excused absences include death, death of a family member, or illness. All others need to be excused before the class that will be missed. Family vacations, etc. will not be excused. Assignments may be done on a computer with music software, or by hand. Do not blame the computer for errors. You are responsible for a professional-quality score and parts. If you write by hand, use a ruler for all straight lines. You will be graded on neatness, timeliness and following instructions, idiomatic writing, and aesthetics. The following rubric will be used to grade assignments:

 | Neatness 40 points | Timeliness/Follow Instructions 30 points | Idiomatic 20 points | Aesthetics 10 points | Total(100 pts.)

Exams: 4 exams will be given throughout the semester. They will be administered after each family of instruments is covered. Exam 1 will cover the strings, exam 2, the woodwinds, exam 3, the brass, and exam 4, percussion and keyboards. The fourth exam is the final exam and will be held on April 23 from 7:00-8:50 a.m.  Study guides are available in the Pages tab of Canvas.

The final project is an original orchestra composition or approved arrangement that demonstrates the concepts learned in class. It should be approximately 3 minutes in length and is due on April 14 at the beginning of class. Both score and parts are required.  


Grading Scale:

100-94=A       89.99-87=B+   79.99-77=C+   69.99-67=D+   Under 60=F
93.99-90=A-   86.99-84=B     76.99-74=C     66.99-64=D
                      83.99-80=B–   73.99-79=C–   63.99-60=D–

Course Outline

January

7: Introduction
9: Music Scores
12: More on Score and Parts
14: Title Page/Score Assignment Due.  Intro to String Instruments
16: String Instruments
19: MLK Day - No Class
21: Violin
23: Viola
26: Violin/Viola Duets Due - Performances
28: Finish performances 
30: Violoncellos, Contrabass 

February

2: String Quartets Due - Performances,
4: Finish Performances, Review
6: UMEA - No Class, String Exam on Canvas
9: Intro to Woodwinds 
11: Flute Family
13: Review String Exam, Oboe Family
16: President's Day - No Class 
18: Clarinet Family, 
20:  Bassoon Family
23: Woodwind Quartets Due - Performances
25: Finish performances, Saxophone Family
27: Saxophones

March

2: Introduction to Brass
4: Sax Quartet Due, Performances
6: Finish Performances, Woodwind Exam on Canvas
9-13: Spring Break, No Class
16: Review Woodwind exam, Trumpets
18: Trumpet Fanfare Due - Performances
20: Finish performances, Horns
23: Trombones
25: Tubas/Euphoniums
27: Brass Quartets Due - Performances
30:  Finish performances, Final Project Instructions.

April

1: Brass exam on Canvas 
3: Band Tour-No Class
6: Introduction to Percussion
8: Pitched Percussion
10: Indefinite Pitched Percussion
13: Final Project Due, Piano/Harp, Review
13-16: Final Project Performances During Orchestra - TBA
24: Final Exam, 7:00-8:50 a.m.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 Assignments are due at the beginning of class. No late assignments will be accepted. The lowest assignment will be dropped. Excused absences will not be deducted, but assignments must be turned in at the next class period. Excused absences include death, death of a family member, or illness. All others need to be excused before the class that will be missed. Family vacations, etc. will not be excused.

Failure to take an exam at the given time, without instructor approval, will result in a "0" for the exam. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is necessary to master the concepts of the course and hear your work performed. While it is not a component of the grade, experience has shown that those who do not attend class do not do well.

Course Fees

No course fees are assessed for this course, however, a program fee of $11/credit is assessed for all music credits. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.