Orchestration

Become a Better Orchestrator and Composer with Berklee

Develop your music orchestration, film scoring, songwriting, and music notation skills and become a more marketable orchestrator and/or composer drawing on the most up-to-date tools.

Courses

Courses are best for students who are looking to meet a specific need, or simply want to get started with Berklee Online. No application necessary.

  • Next semester starts April 1
  • 12 Weeks
  • 5-10 Hours Per Week
OCWPR-101
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
Create great-looking sheet music quickly and easily with the powerful Finale music notation software, and learn techniques to maximize speed, control, and accuracy.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCWPR-103
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
Learn to use Sibelius to create lead sheets, scores, and parts, as well as how to enter and format notation so it conforms to current music publishing standards.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCOMP-285
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Develop a unique compositional voice to write music through the study of modern twentieth century compositional techniques.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCOMP-250
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Gain a broad overview of counterpoint and the art of writing lines that support both the melody and the overall structure of a composition.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCWPR-260
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
After a quick overview of the media industry today, students will learn the technical and aesthetic challenges in this highly competitive field. They will analyze and spot a film score and become better storytellers through various writing exercises.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OMPRD-295
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Gain a solid foundation of sound production and engineering skills that will prepare you to work at a game development company or as a freelancer.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCWPR-397
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Learn to create electronic music in a variety of styles such as drum and bass, glitch, dub, trance, downtempo, house, and techno.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCWPR-398
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Building on Contemporary Techniques in Music Composition 1, gain the skills to identify, appreciate, and utilize new musical styles and techniques.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCOMP-385
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Gain a solid knowledge of modern instrumental writing and competence using twentieth century techniques in composition. In addition, you will gain enhanced listening skills to identify and appreciate new musical styles, and be capable of implementing these skills in your writing, enriching your capacity to express yourself in this intellectually stimulating musical idiom.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCWPR-365
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Learn to write and apply traditional orchestration techniques to both sampled performances and live orchestral performances.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCWPR-366
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Learn advanced orchestration strategies and approaches to writing for full orchestra, including both a live orchestra and sampled MIDI mockups.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCOMP-492
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Learn the fundamental music approaches and skills that professional composers use to create interactive scores for games.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCOMP-490
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Learn to write music in the style of big budget Hollywood productions and gain a recipe book for writing for film and TV.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCOMP-491
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Analyze specific genres of film and TV music in terms of melody, harmony, and orchestration, and form a template that you can apply to your own writing.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OCOMP-493
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Add depth and flavor to compositions in any genre by studying the characteristics of a wide array of world music compositional techniques.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290

Certificates

Gain the professional credentials and marketable skills you need to succeed in your specific area of the music industry. Certificates range from foundational-skill building to graduate-level. No application necessary.

  • Next semester starts April 1
  • 3-18 Months
  • 5-10 Hours Per Week
Advanced Professional
8 Courses · 24 Credits
This customizable program allows you to earn an Advanced Professional Certificate in General Music Studies by choosing eight courses from any interest area.
Advanced Professional
9 Courses · 27 Credits
Become a more marketable composer with in depth instruction of orchestration, where you’ll learn placement techniques that will help your music find a home.
Professional
5 Courses · 15 Credits
Study the classics as well as contemporary films and learn how to compose scores that will both complement the visuals and elicit strong emotions from viewers.
Professional
4 Courses · 12 Credits
This customizable program allows you to earn a Professional Certificate in General Music Studies by choosing four courses from any interest area.

Degree Programs

Degree programs are the most affordable and flexible option for earning your music degree from Berklee College of Music. They are the best option for students who want a music education degree and the full Berklee experience.

  • Apply for June 24 semester start.
    • Get a decision within 2 weeks
  • Master's Degree: 1-3 Years
    Bachelor's Degree: 2-4 Years
  • 5-10 Hours Per Week
36 Credits
Expand your knowledge and skills in four areas critical to advancing a career in the music industry: music business, music production and technology, songwriting, and film scoring.
120 Credits
Gain the practical skills to compose, arrange, and orchestrate effective dramatic music for visual media, including film, TV, and interactive media.
120 Credits
“Build your own” music major by selecting coursework from a number of disciplines that align with your personal career goals.
45 of 120 Credits
This major is geared specifically for new and entering students who are not yet ready to declare their major.

New! Masterclasses

With Berklee Online’s new Masterclasses, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from Berklee's acclaimed instructors over the course of one live session for only $99.

Get Access to Free Handbooks

Gain access to real course content from Berklee Online's 12-week, instructor-led online courses. From foundational concepts to advanced techniques, these free handbooks cover a variety of topics, all designed to provide you with marketable skills in music.

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