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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: ā€œ70 Years of Popular Musicā€, published by IMP. One volume per decade. Link to ā€œThe Fortiesā€ onwards.

Series: ā€œ100 Years of Popular Musicā€, published by IMP. One volume per decade. Link to ā€œVol.1 The 40sā€.

ā€œ90 Golden Years of Irving Berlinā€, published by IMP.

ā€œThe Rodgers and Hammerstein Collectionā€, published by Hal Leonard.

ā€œThe Andrew Lloyd Webber Sheet Music Collectionā€, published by Hal Leonard.

ā€œThe Best Broadway Songs Everā€, 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