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.

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Masterclasses Are Here!

Learn from Berklee’s acclaimed instructors over the course of one live session for only $99.

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 June 30
  • 12 Weeks / 4 Weeks
  • 5-10 Hours Per Week
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
OCWPR-103
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.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-250
Gain a broad overview of counterpoint and the art of writing lines that support both the melody and the overall structure of a composition.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
OCWPR-260
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.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
OMPRD-295
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.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-220
Enhance your compositional skills by exploring repertoire from the Romantic and post-Romantic eras. You’ll engage with diverse course materials and actively participate in hands-on projects to complete four original compositions developed to professional standards.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-330
In Chromatic Writing and Analysis, you will craft innovative compositions, expand your artistic voice by analyzing chromatic music from concert repertoire, film scores, and dramatic music, and have your projects performed by live musicians.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
OCWPR-397
Learn to create electronic music in a variety of styles such as drum and bass, glitch, dub, trance, downtempo, house, and techno.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
OCWPR-398
Building on Composing and Producing Electronic Music 1, gain the skills to identify, appreciate, and utilize new musical styles and techniques.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-367
Develop a unique compositional voice to write music through the study of modern twentieth century compositional techniques.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-350
Developing Your Creativity as a Composer focuses on the student developing their own creative instincts in music composition through experimental practices, musical puzzles, enabling constraints, and other non-conventional approaches to writing music.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
OCWPR-365
Learn to write and apply traditional orchestration techniques to both sampled performances and live orchestral performances.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
OCWPR-366
Learn advanced orchestration strategies and approaches to writing for full orchestra, including both a live orchestra and sampled MIDI mockups.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-485
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.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-492
Learn the fundamental music approaches and skills that professional composers use to create interactive scores for games.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,245
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-490
Learn to write music in the style of big budget Hollywood productions and gain a recipe book for writing for film and TV.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-491
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.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,245
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
OCOMP-493
Add depth and flavor to compositions in any genre by studying the characteristics of a wide array of world music compositional techniques.
3-Credit Tuition: $1,545

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 June 30
  • 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 by May 5 for June 30 semester start:
    • $75 application fee waived
    • Apply in as little time as 15 minutes
    • Get a decision within 1 week
  • 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.
120 Credits
Refine your compositional voice while mastering the craft of composition in order to pursue your career in the music industry.
45 of 120 Credits
This major is geared specifically for new and entering students who are not yet ready to declare their major.

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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