UNT Division of Jazz Studies

General Information
MUJS 3620.001, Jazz Arranging (3 credits, offered only in the spring semester)
Instructor: Akira Sato
Prerequisite: MUJS 3610 with a grade of A or B, or equivalent in proven experience.
Course description: MUJS 3620 completes the two-semester study in jazz arranging required of all jazz majors. The course focuses upon arranging and orchestrating music for the large jazz ensemble. Two major projects are written, performed and recorded. Computer notation is required in all finished product.
Meetings: Class meetings are 11:00 - 11:50 MW, Kenton Hall (Room 282). One-hour labs (required) meet later in the week in Bain Hall rooms 217 or 218; labs are scheduled during the first week of class.
Required text: Introduction to Big Band Arranging , Rutherford - available at the UNT Copy Center located in the Student Union (across from the 2nd-floor entrance to the Bookstore)
Grading in MUJS 3620 is influenced by quality of work, and calculated equally from the two major projects, weekly assignments, and the midterm examination.

The Arranging Continuation Exam for those planning to enroll in MUJS 4610 will be given at the time scheduled for final examination in 3620. Review materials are available online: go to ACE.

PROJECT I
Write an arrangement for large jazz ensemble. (Pre-existing tunes only)
• Intro, head and short ending.
• Melody must move in an idiomatic manner, and breathe properly.
• Changes must reflect the use of add-chord where this device is appropriate.
• Score for 8 brass, 5 sxs, 4 rhythm.
• Scores (transposed) must follow MUJS 3620 text examples.
• Manuscript: individual parts must follow MUJS 3610 formats and standards.
• No ballads, 3/4 or 5/4 tunes; write for a tempo not to exceed qtr = 180.

PROJECT II (to be performed and recorded no later than Wednesday of pre-finals week)
Expand Project I into a full chart for large jazz ensemble.
• Score for the same ensemble as Project I (External form: ABA)
A: Intro, head, ending with climax then with transition to next part.
B: Middle section: develop materials found in "A", and end with the full band scored to climax. There should be an extension to the form at this point.
(B section can consist of one or more of the following:
Solo with bkgds (bgs 2Xo for opt. repeat, bkdgs building to climax)
Soli (1/2 chorus saxes or tbns, followed or preceded by solo or tutte)
Tutte section (1/2 chorus, preceded by solo or soli).
A1: Recapitulation. Use a D.S. and Coda if possible.
• The final ending can be up or down, according to the musical needs of the arrangement.
• After finishing the work for Project II, then make your corrections in Prj I.
• Schedule your writing to get more than one playing, with time for reflection and subtle adjustments between the playings.