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21M.342

Composing for Jazz Orchestra

3-0-9 units. HASS-A · Undergraduate

Explores composition and arrangement for the large jazz ensembles from 1920s foundations to current postmodern practice. Consideration given to a variety of styles and to the interaction of improvisation and composition. Study of works by Basie, Ellington, Evans, Gillespie, Golson, Mingus, Morris, Nelson, Williams, and others. Open rehearsals, workshops, and performances of student compositions by the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra. Limited to 15.

Fall 2008

This class explores composition and arrangement for the large jazz ensemble from 1920s foundations to current postmodern practice. Consideration given to a variety of styles and to the interaction of improvisation and composition. Study of works by Basie, Ellington, Evans, Gillespie, Golson, Mingus, Morris, Nelson, Williams, and others. Open rehearsals, workshops, and performances of student compositions by the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra.

Readings

  • Boras, Tom. Jazz Composition and Arranging . New York, NY: Schirmer, 2004. ISBN: 9780534252618.
    Listed reading
  • Selections in Cerulli, Dom, et al., eds. The Jazz Word . New York, NY: Da Capo Press, 1987 (reprint of 1960). ISBN: 9780306802881.
    Listed reading
  • Delamont, Gordon. Modern Arranging Technique . Delevan, NY: Kendor Music, 1995.
    Listed reading
  • Dobbins, Bill. Jazz Arranging and Composing: A Linear Approach . Rottenburg, Germany: Advance Music, 1986. ISBN: 9783892210061.
    Listed reading
  • Garcia, Russell. The Professional Arranger-Composer . Vols. 2. Hollywood, CA: Criterion Music Corp., 1978 (reprint of 1954). ISBN: 9780910468053 (vol. 1), 9780910468060 (vol. 2).
    Listed reading
  • Lajoie, Steve. Gil Evans & Miles Davis: Historic Collaborations: An Analysis of Selected Gil Evans Works 1957 - 1962 . Rottenburg, Germany: Advance Music, 2003. ISBN: 978389221064.
    Listed reading
  • Longstreth, Everett. Jazz Band Stage Arranging . Stoneham, MA: self-published, 1985.
    Listed reading
  • Miller, Ron. Modal Jazz Composition and Harmony . Vol. 1. Rottenburg, Germany: Advance Music, 1992.
    Listed reading
  • Morris, Butch. “Conduction®” Principles and Artist’s Statement . [The artist’s statement and related materials are available at the Conduction Web site.] ↗
    Listed reading
  • Rattenbury, Ken. Duke Ellington: Jazz Composer . New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1993. ISBN: 9780300055078.
    Listed reading
  • Russo, William. Jazz Composition and Orchestration . Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1997. ISBN: 9780226732084.
    Listed reading
  • ———. Composing for Jazz Orchestra . Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1973. ISBN: 9780226732091.
    Listed reading
  • Schuller, Gunther. Liner notes for Mirage: Avant-Garde and Third Stream Jazz . New World Records 80216, 1977. ( PDF ) ↗
    Listed reading
  • Sturm, Fred. Changes Over Time: The Evolution of Jazz Arranging (with CD). Rottenburg, Germany: Advance Music, 1995.
    Listed reading

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: Permission of instructor U (Spring) Not offered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units. HASS-A

Sources