Alexander University Announces New Writing For Strings
Online Course
Registration open now, classes begin April 21, 2008
Petersburg, VA (April 9, 2008) - Alexander University’s Professional Orchestration™ Writing For Strings™ Level 1
online course is open for registration with an April 21 start date. To keep classes small only six students are
accepted. Registration ends Sunday April 20. This six week course is taught by composer/educator Stephen Hill.
Writing For Strings is a hands-on course taught by having students write original two-minute pieces and having them played
by a musician. The piece is then checked for playability with input on how to improve their writing. The student’s work is
based on a piece of literature. If a student wants to do film, TV or game composing, the piece is approached like a scene from
a movie. If the student wants to do concert scoring, the piece of literature becomes the “inspiration” for the new musical
composition. In Writing For Strings, the student writes four two-minute compositions, one each for solo violin, viola, cello
and bass.
Using sample libraries, students are also required to do what the industry calls “MIDI mock-ups.” This is an electronic
recording of their piece using sample libraries. By doing this, students also build their recording skills.
To aid students with this new skill demanded by the film and recording sectors of the music business, Alexander University
has teamed with the Vienna Symphonic Library to provide students 13 solo works with MIDI files for each major orchestral
instrument that was created by composer Jay Bacal using the Vienna Instruments library.
By comparison, traditional college classes have students only do exercises that are rarely performed live, if at all. Few colleges
teach “MIDI mock-up” skills.
Professional Orchestration Platinum Learning Package is the required class text. Included is the Professional Orchestration
book, the Professional Mentor workbook, the Strings Position booklet, MP3s of a majority of the book’s 200+ full page/full
score examples, and the 13 MIDI mock-up compositions by composer Jay Bacal. Also included is The Concert Package
created exclusively for Alexander University by eClassical.com. The Concert Package contains an average 20-minute concert
for each solo instrument including harp and percussion. Professional Orchestration has been endorsed by winners of the
Academy, Grammy and Emmy Awards including Bruce Broughton and the late Jerry Goldsmith.
For registration information, visit:
http://www.truespec.com/professional-orchestration-writing-strings-p-922.html
Writing For Strings Level 1 is next taught in January 2009.
About the Instructor
Writing For Strings is taught by composer/educator Stephen Hill. Stephen received his Bachelor of Music in Theory and
Composition (1980) from Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he studied with Dr. W. Francis McBeth.
He earned his Master of Arts in Music Composition (1984) from Cal State University, Los Angeles where he studied privately
with the noted composer, Dr. Byong Kon Kim. Along with his writing, Mr. Hill teaches strings, concert band and jazz
ensemble.
All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. © mtech marketing communications.
Online Course
Registration open now, classes begin April 21, 2008
Petersburg, VA (April 9, 2008) - Alexander University’s Professional Orchestration™ Writing For Strings™ Level 1
online course is open for registration with an April 21 start date. To keep classes small only six students are
accepted. Registration ends Sunday April 20. This six week course is taught by composer/educator Stephen Hill.
Writing For Strings is a hands-on course taught by having students write original two-minute pieces and having them played
by a musician. The piece is then checked for playability with input on how to improve their writing. The student’s work is
based on a piece of literature. If a student wants to do film, TV or game composing, the piece is approached like a scene from
a movie. If the student wants to do concert scoring, the piece of literature becomes the “inspiration” for the new musical
composition. In Writing For Strings, the student writes four two-minute compositions, one each for solo violin, viola, cello
and bass.
Using sample libraries, students are also required to do what the industry calls “MIDI mock-ups.” This is an electronic
recording of their piece using sample libraries. By doing this, students also build their recording skills.
To aid students with this new skill demanded by the film and recording sectors of the music business, Alexander University
has teamed with the Vienna Symphonic Library to provide students 13 solo works with MIDI files for each major orchestral
instrument that was created by composer Jay Bacal using the Vienna Instruments library.
By comparison, traditional college classes have students only do exercises that are rarely performed live, if at all. Few colleges
teach “MIDI mock-up” skills.
Professional Orchestration Platinum Learning Package is the required class text. Included is the Professional Orchestration
book, the Professional Mentor workbook, the Strings Position booklet, MP3s of a majority of the book’s 200+ full page/full
score examples, and the 13 MIDI mock-up compositions by composer Jay Bacal. Also included is The Concert Package
created exclusively for Alexander University by eClassical.com. The Concert Package contains an average 20-minute concert
for each solo instrument including harp and percussion. Professional Orchestration has been endorsed by winners of the
Academy, Grammy and Emmy Awards including Bruce Broughton and the late Jerry Goldsmith.
For registration information, visit:
http://www.truespec.com/professional-orchestration-writing-strings-p-922.html
Writing For Strings Level 1 is next taught in January 2009.
About the Instructor
Writing For Strings is taught by composer/educator Stephen Hill. Stephen received his Bachelor of Music in Theory and
Composition (1980) from Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he studied with Dr. W. Francis McBeth.
He earned his Master of Arts in Music Composition (1984) from Cal State University, Los Angeles where he studied privately
with the noted composer, Dr. Byong Kon Kim. Along with his writing, Mr. Hill teaches strings, concert band and jazz
ensemble.
All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. © mtech marketing communications.
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