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Writing and Scoring for Strings

MUSC X 483.12

This comprehensive workshop in writing music for the string family takes a thorough look at the contemporary and historical use of the strings in both film and concert music composition.

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What you can learn.

Study the use of strings in film scores by John Williams, Bernard Herrman, Thomas Newman, and more
Engage with the scores of concert performers such as Brahms, Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, and more
Examine how film composition has utilized concert music for specific techniques
Engage with guest musician professionals as they explain their instrument of choice
Write a final piece to be recorded by a string quintet

About this course:

This comprehensive workshop in writing music for the string family--violin, viola, cello and double bass--takes a thorough look at the contemporary and historical use of the strings and their usage in both film and concert music composition. The film composers studied include Bernard Herrmann, John Williams, Thomas Newman, Michael Giacchino and Jerry Goldsmith. The concert composers include Johannes Brahms, Maurice Ravel, Leonard Bernstein, Edward Elgar, Igor Stravinsky and John Adams. The course examines how film composition has utilized concert music for specific techniques, as well as for inspiration. Many sessions feature one of the members of the string family, with top professionals from L.A. recording studios demonstrating their respective instruments and playing student compositions. The final project is the writing and subsequent recording of a work for string quintet.

Prerequisites

The ability to read music, knowledge of music notation, and an understanding of the fundamentals of music theory.