Music Theory IV

Dr. Avner Dorman ā€¢ Gettysburg College ā€¢ Spring 2026

Set Class Composition Project

Set Class Composition Project

A four-step project guiding you from choosing a set class to completing a notated piece for live performance. Work through each step in order ā€” each builds directly on the last.

Ensemble

Winds
  • 1 Flute (or Piccolo)
  • 4 Clarinets (up to 3 Bass Cl., Contrabass Cl., or Eā™­ Cl.)
  • 1 Saxophone (Alto or Soprano)
  • 1 Trumpet
  • 1 Horn
  • 1 Trombone
Voices & Strings
  • 3 Sopranos
  • 2 Altos
  • 2 Tenors (or Tenor + Baritone)
  • 2 Violins
  • 1 Contrabass or Electric Bass
Rhythm & Harmony
  • 2 Percussion (no snare drum rolls)
  • Guitar
  • 2 Pianists (one piano)
1

Choose Your Set Class

šŸ“… Due March 23, 2026

Get started by selecting the harmonic material for your piece.

  • From the List of Set Classes, choose a trichord or tetrachord you like.
  • Write it out in set class notation (e.g., sc(037)) and provide its IC vector.
  • Write a short paragraph explaining what you like about this set class.
  • On manuscript paper, write out all members of the set class as chords ā€” all transpositions and inversions of the prime form. Play around with voicing these chords.
2

Build Your Melodic Material

šŸ“… Due March 25, 2026

Develop the motivic building blocks for your piece.

  • Continue working with the set class you chose in Step 1.
  • On manuscript paper, write out at least 12 melodic combinations of your set class. These will be the motivic basis for your piece.
  • Choose temporal devices you would like to use in your piece ā€” list them (e.g., hemiola, bi-rhythm, maximally even rhythms, etc.).
3

Draft the Rhythmic Structure & Add Pitches

šŸ“… Due March 27, 2026

Shape the temporal architecture of your piece, then populate it with pitch material.

  • List the temporal devices you will use in your piece (e.g., hemiola, bi-rhythm, maximally even rhythms, etc.).
  • Write out a purely rhythmic version of your piece. You can add contour and dynamics if you'd like. Your piece needs to have at least 16 measures (in 4/4) or an equivalent length.
  • When the rhythmic version is ready, start adding pitches. Choose them from your previously prepared melodic material.
  • The identity of your set class should remain audible throughout ā€” listeners should be able to hear it as the piece's harmonic foundation. Overlapping instances of the set class is fine, but avoid muddying the texture to the point where the set class can no longer be heard.
4

Finalize & Submit Score

šŸ“… Due March 30, 2026

Polish your score and submit the final files.

  • Enter your complete piece into MuseScore, Dorico, or copy it neatly by hand.
  • Score for the ensemble instruments you are using (see ensemble list above).
  • Add performance markings: dynamics, articulations, tempo, expression markings.
  • Upload a score PDF to Moodle.
5

Parts Ready for Distribution

šŸ“… Due April 3, 2026

Prepare individual parts so performers can rehearse.

  • Extract individual parts from your score (one PDF per instrument/voice).
  • Check part layout: page turns, cues, clear notation.
  • Upload all parts to Moodle by Thursday April 3.
šŸŽµ

Performance

šŸŽ¶ April 10, 2026

In-class performance of all compositions.

  • Pieces will be performed in class by the ensemble.
  • Attend and listen attentively to your classmates' work.

Tools & Calculators

Normal Form Calculator
Enter any pitch-class set and find its normal form step by step.
Open Tool
Set Class Analyzer
Compute prime form, identify the set class, and explore related sets.
Open Tool
Interval Class Vector Calculator
Calculate the IC vector for any pitch-class set.
Open Tool
MTA PC-Set Calculator
External tool for normal form, prime form, IC vector, and set relationships.
Open Tool ā†—
Pulse Lab
Explore and audition Euclidean rhythms, polyrhythms, and temporal devices.
Open Tool ā†—