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Knowing theory is not the same as being able to score. Structured, graded orchestration practice — starting with four-part Bach chorales and building to full orchestral scoring. Each assignment comes with a master’s solution so you can compare your choices against a professional standard.
Orchestration Assignments — progressive scoring practice
Take a four-part Bach chorale and score it for string quartet. Focus on idiomatic string voicing, bowings, and register choices.
Score a harmonic passage for woodwind choir, exploring unison doublings, octave pairings, and the characteristic color of each combination.
Take a piano piece and expand it into a full orchestral score. Decide which instrument carries the melody, which sustains the harmony, and where the color changes.
Compose and orchestrate an original movement for full orchestra. Graded on voice leading, balance, idiomatic writing, and structural coherence.
Four-part Bach chorales, then string quartet voicings. The foundation of clean part-writing before adding wind and brass color.
Woodwind choir doublings, brass chorale balance, and mixed-family texture. Each assignment targets a different orchestration problem.
Take a piano piece and orchestrate it — then take an orchestral passage and distill it. The two directions every orchestrator must master.
A full capstone: original composition for orchestra, graded on voice leading, balance, idiomatic writing, and structural coherence.
All orchestration assignments are included in the Gradus curriculum.