MUS-457-christian.kim-2026-02-18-08-59-45

Jazz Arranging

MUS 457 (2 crs.)

FALL 2026

Prerequisites: MUS 257

Course Details

Meeting Day/Time: by arrangement

Meeting Location: KIM 341

 

Instructor Contact Information

Instructor: Christian Kim (christiankim@wsu.edu)

Instructor Office Hours: T/W/R 2-4 pm

 

Course Description

This course offers advanced techniques in arranging, orchestration, theory, and form analysis for jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s. Jazz instrumentation ranging from small ensembles to large orchestras will be discussed

 

Course Materials 

No Textbook is required

All materials will be provided

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 

Course Learning Outcomes

(students will be able to:)

 Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes Assessment of the Learning Outcomes
  • Demonstrate a solid understanding of the conventions of jazz notation, spacing, and score layout.
 Lecture Homework and Project
  • Demonstrate a solid command of transpositions and ranges for standard jazz instruments.
 Lecture and Reading Session Reading Session and Project
  • Develop a strong understanding of the principles of scoring for standard jazz instruments.

Weekly Lesson

 Weekly Assignment
  • Gain proficiency in block scoring techniques used in jazz compositions and arrangements.

Weekly Lesson

 Weekly Assignment and Project
  • Gain proficiency in scoring techniques for rhythm section instruments.

Lecture and Reading Session

 Reading Session and Project
  • Develop an appreciation for the musical considerations involved in scoring for student jazz ensembles.

Lecture and Weekly Lesson

 Project

 

Assignment Descriptions
Melody and Accompaniment: Develop an understanding of the effective ranges of melodic instruments and orchestrate accordingly, taking into consideration each instrument’s most resonant and characteristic register. Harmonize the melody by scoring the accompanying instruments with attention to voice leading, incorporating extensions, tensions, and upper-structure harmonies to enrich the harmonic palette while maintaining clarity and balance.

Block Voicing Techniques: Apply saxophone quartet and quintet orchestration (2 altos, 2 tenors, and 1 baritone) to harmonize a melody using homorhythmic texture. The first phase will focus on realizing harmonization through keyboard-style block voicing techniques. The second phase will transfer these voicings to a saxophone quartet setting. The third phase will expand the orchestration to a full saxophone quintet.

Sax Soli Project: Use saxophone quartet/quintet orchestration (2 altos, 2 tenors, and 1 baritone) to harmonize a written improvisation in a homorhythmic style. In the first phase, students will compose a single-line improvised solo based on given chords. In the second phase, the solo line will be harmonized using keyboard block voicing techniques. In the third phase, the harmonization will be orchestrated for saxophone quintet, with attention to idiomatic voicing and ensemble balance.

Form in Jazz Arranging: Analyze two major jazz big band charts provided by the instructor. Examine the harmonic and structural differences between the head-in and head-out sections, as well as the characteristics of the sax soli section. Compare and contrast the functions of the introduction and interlude. Based on this analysis, design an original formal structure that demonstrates an understanding of large-ensemble jazz arranging conventions.

Big Band Arranging: Create an arrangement of a selected piece that includes an introduction, head-in section, and one soli section, applying the voicing, orchestration, and formal concepts studied throughout the course.

Course Schedule
Dates Lesson Topic Assignment Assessment

Week 1
[dates]

 Introduction to Jazz Arranging   Weekly Assignment   Assignment
Week 2
[dates]		 Scoring Melody and Accompaniment   Weekly Assignment   Assignment
Week 3
[dates]		 Scoring Melody and Accompaniment (continued)   Project   Project
Week 4
[dates]
 Performance of Melody and Accompaniment Project   Reading Session

 

Reading Session Preparation
Week 5
[dates]
 Block Voicing Techniques (sax soli, etc.)   Project   Project
Week 6
[dates]
 Block Voicing Techniques (continued)   Continued   Continued
Week 7
[dates]
 Block Voicing Techniques (continued)   Continued   Continued
Week 8
[dates]
  Performance of Sax Soli Project  Project I    Project I
Week 9
[dates]
  Scoring for Big Band   Weekly Assignment    Weekly Assignment
Week 10
[dates]
  Scoring for Big Band (continued)   Presentation    Presentation
Week 11
[dates]		 Performance of Big Band Project   Project II    Project II
Week 12
[dates]
  Form in Jazz Arranging   Weekly Assignment    Weekly Assignment
Week 13
[dates]
  Form in Jazz Arranging (continued)   Project III    Project III
Week 14
[dates]
  Form in Jazz Arranging (continued)   Project III    Project III
Week 15
[dates]
 Final Projects Evaluation  Written Review   Written Review

 

 

Expectations for Student Effort 

Students must make every effort to attend all class sessions. Class sessions will discuss reading assignments, then spend time utilizing notation software to understand lecture materials. Please check Canvas for specific instruction and deadlines for all assessments.

 

Grading

Assignment Breakdown
Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) Points Percent of Overall Grade
Weekly Presentation 100 pts 10%
Weekly Assignments 100 pts 10%
Written Review 100 pts 10%
Original Arrangement
(Projects)

600 pts

(200 pts x 3)

 60%
Attendance 100 pts  10%

 

Grading Schema
Grade Percent Grade Percent
A

93-100

 C 73-76.99
A-  90-92.99 C- 70-72.99
B+ 87-89.99 D+ 67-69.99
B 83-86.99 D 60-66.99
B- 80-82.99 F 0-59.99
C+ 77-79.99  

 

Attendance and Make-Up Policy 

This is a weekly one-on-one meeting with your instructor. Please make sure to make every effort to attend the meeting. 

You may reschedule a lesson if your instructor is available; however, you must provide at least 48 hours’ notice.

 

Academic Integrity Statement

You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:

-Fail the Assignment

-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards

-Have the right to appeal my decision

-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished

If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.

If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.

 

Public Domain This course content is offered under a Public Domain license. Content in this course can be considered under this license unless otherwise noted.