MUSIC NOTATION (& ENGRAVING) FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Course Description

“In an age where computers can do it all for us, what need is there for expertise in, or even a working knowledge of, the principles of notation?”

—Elaine Gould, Behind Bars

The 21st century is a perfect time to reinvigorate standard practices of notation from the past several centuries. With notation software allowing composers to effortlessly create music, it is easy to rely on the default output of these programs. However, the default is often not the clearest for musicians and conductors to read.

This colloquium is about learning to notate music in such a way that is easy to read and perform from. This will include looking at aspects of notation (such as a brief history, writing rhythms, and elements of design), as well as topics specific to engraving (such as the line spacing, the layout of the page, part preparation, and score layout, etc.).

This is a student-led colloquium led by Thomas Håkanson under the supervision of Leslie Hogan.

Optional Text

Elaine Gould, Behind Bars, 2011 Edition, Faber Music Ltd.
George Heussenstamm, The Norton Manual of Music Notation, First Edition, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.