For advanced students, this two-semester course is oriented to developing a personal style of composition and arranging that goes beyond the song form. It includes intensive analysis of recordings and scores - both jazz and 20th-century classical - writing assignments, sophisticated compositional techniques, and end-of-semester writing projects that are performed by top New York professionals. The fall semester emphasizes small groups (2-5 horns and rhythm section) and the spring semester focuses on big band and other large ensembles.