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AmusTCL* Diploma Resources and Courses

*Associate of Music, Trinity College London

The links to books on this page are sponsored by Amazon.

For more information about taking a Diploma in Music Theory please click here

Syllabus

Candidates sitting the AmusTCL (2021-2024 syllabus) should choose five questions from the exam paper, with at least one question from section A, and one from section B.

Section A

  • Lutheran (Bach) Chorale
  • Classical Orchestration
  • Early Romantic Piano Composition
  • 20th Century Popular Song Composition (Piano)
  • 20th Century Melodic Composition (Solo instrument)

Section B

  • Bartok – Concerto for Orchestra
  • Beethoven – Piano Trio Op.97
  • Handel – Water Music
  • Monteverdi – Orfeo (Acts 1-3)
  • Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker (Act 2)

AmusTCL Course Material by MyMusicTheory

Bach Chorales

PDFs

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Learn how to write Bach-style chorales. Includes practice questions.

Classical Orchestration

PDFs

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Classical Orchestration. Includes practice questions.

20th c. Composition

PDFs

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20thC Melodic Composition. Includes practice questions.

Suggested Study List

AmusTCL Study Guide (Section A) (Published by Trinity College London)

Writing About Music

Wingell, R.: Writing About Music – an Introductory Guide

Herbert, T.: Music in Words – A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music

Creme, P. and Lea, M.: Writing at University – A Guide for Students

General Background Reading

Hurd, M.: An Outline History of European Music

A. Butterworth: Harmony in Practice

Taylor, E.: The AB Guide to Music Theory Part 2

Pratt, G.: The Dynamics of Harmony – Principles and Practice

Harper-Scott, J and Samson, J.: An Introduction to Music Studies

Bach Chorales

J.S. Bach: 371 Harmonised Chorales

Classical Orchestration

Carse, A.: The History of Orchestration

Jacob, G.: Orchestral Technique – A Manual for Students

Palmer, K.: Orchestration (Teach Yourself Books)

(Video) Techniques of Orchestration Part 1 | How To Orchestrate a Chord by Rick Beato

Composition (Romantic Keyboard, 20th Century Pop Song Composition & Modern Solo Instrumental Composition)

Schoenberg, A.: The Fundamentals of Music Composition (General techniques, not restricted to Schoeberg’s own style)

Popular Song (Piano Arrangement)

Series: “70 Years of Popular Music”, published by IMP. One volume per decade. Link to “The Forties” onwards.

Series: “100 Years of Popular Music”, published by IMP. One volume per decade. Link to “Vol.1 The 40s”.

90 Golden Years of Irving Berlin”, published by IMP.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein Collection”, published by Hal Leonard.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Sheet Music Collection”, published by Hal Leonard.

The Best Broadway Songs Ever”, published by Hal Leonard. This book is also available to loan in digital format from: https://archive.org/details/bestbroadwaysong0000unse/page/4/mode/2up

Set Works Study Scores and Other Books

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Bartok

Concerto for Orchestra score

Cooper, D.: Concerto for Orchestra Study Handbook

Beethoven

Piano Trio Op.97 score

Handel

Water Music score

Burrows, D.: The Cambridge Companion to Handel

Hogwood, C.: Water Music Study Handbook

Monteverdi

Orfeo score

Whenham, H.: Orfeo Study Handbook

Tchaikovsky

The Nutcracker score

Warrack, J.: Tchaikovsky Ballet Music Handbook