Cinematic Orchestration Essentials
A beginner-friendly course that helps you turn simple ideas into breathtaking, realistic-sounding orchestral music — inspired by composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer.
also available as bundle:
A Beginner Friendly On-Demand Course:
Cinematic Orchestration Essentials
Total Value: 259 €
Your Price: 199 €
VAT calculated at checkout if applicable.
or split into 3 monthly payments of 66 €
🎬 8+ Hours In-Depth Training
🎵 15+ Project Files & PDFs
♾️ Lifetime Access
🛡️ 30 Day Money-Back (i)
you will learn how to...
1
combine orchestral instruments effectively and make every section serve a purpose.
2
avoid beginner orchestration mistakes and make your music sound more realistic.
3
choose the tools & gear you actually need and how to get the most out of them.
4
make a simple sample library sound like a breathtaking orchestral production.
5
mix and master orchestral music to express what you really want.
from sketch to cinematic score
In a hands-on mockup, mix & master workshop, we will transform a simple sketch into a full orchestral score, step by step. This is the piece we’ll transform during the course:
sketch
orchestrate
polish
sketch
orchestrate
polish
this course is for you if:
you're new to orchestral composition (0–3 years) and don't know where to start.
you struggle to get your orchestral music sound more realistic.
you have lots of musical ideas but struggle to turn them into a convincing orchestration.
you always second guess your orchestration decisions.
this course is not for you if:
you’re not willing to take an honest look at your orchestration and refine it
you're looking for a quick fix or magic bullet
you’re just interested in buying new libraries instead of learning how to use what you already have
Course Curriculum
13 Chapters · 90+ Lessons · 8+ hours of in depth video tutorials
Introduction
🎥 Welcome • 4 min
🎥 Meet your Instructor • 2 min
🎥 Before we start • 3 min
📄 Monthly Giveaway
History of Cinematic Music
🎥 Why Film Music Orchestration • 2 min
🎥 Histroy of Orchestral Film Music • 5 min
📝 End of Chapter Quiz
Instrumentation
🎥 Introduction • 2 min
🎥 Strings • 14 min
🎥 Brasses • 17 min
🎥 Woodwinds • 16 min
🎥 Percussion • 18 min
📝 End of Chapter Quiz
Gear & Setup
🎥 Introduction • 1 min
🎥 DAW & PC • 5 min
🎥 MIDI CC & Channels • 5 min
🎥 MIDI Controller • 3 min
🎥 Workflow • 2 min
🎥 Shortcuts (Free YouTube Video)
🎥 Cubase Features (Free YouTube Video)
🎥 The Synchron Prime Orchestra • 2 min
📝 End of Chapter Quiz
Template Knowledge
🎥 What’s a Template? • 2 min
🎥 Articulations & Keyswitches • 3 min
🎥 Two ways to setup your Template • 2 min
🎥 Three types of Templates • 8 min
🎥 My Template Journey • 4 min
🎥 Building vs Buying a Template • 3 min
📝 End of Chapter Quiz
Template Building
The lessons in this chapter are publicly available on my YouTube channel. They are included here to provide a seamless and complete learning experience.
🎥 Build your Template • 1 min
🎥 1 – Project Setup • 1 min
🎥 2 – Adding First Tracks • 4 min
🎥 3 – Adding Tracks & Track Order • 2 min
🎥 4 – Articulation Switching • 8 min
🎥 5 – Keyswitching • 6 min
🎥 6 – Integrating other Libraries • 3 min
🎥 7 – Volume & Gain Staging • 4 min
🎥 8 – Group Tracks • 4 min
🎥 9 – The Solo Trick • 2 min
🎥 10 – Track Delay • 4 min
🎥 11 – Reference Tracks • 2 min
🎥 12 – Mic Positions • 1 min
🎥 13 – Saving & Using Templates • 3 min (not on YouTube)
Orchestration
🎥 Introduction • 2 min
🎥 The 2 Worlds of Orchestration • 5 min
🎥 The 6 Orchestral Functions • 2 min
📝 Bonus Quiz
🎥 1 – Melody • 13 min
🎥 2 – Melody Support • 21 min
🎥 3 – Harmony • 21 min
🎥 4 – Rhythm • 18 min
🎥 5 – Countermelody • 13 min
🎥 6 – Color • 17 min
📝 End of Chapter Quiz
10 Orchestration Case Studies
🎥 Introduction • 2 min
🎥 The Throne Room ― John Williams • 7 min
🎥 Seven Years in Tibet ― John Williams • 5 min
🎥 The Avengers ― Alan Silvestri • 7 min
🎥 Time ― Hans Zimmer • 9 min
🎥 Arrival to the earth ― Steve Jablonsky • 8 min
🎥 Now We Are Free ― Hans Zimmer • 6 min
🎥 Battle of the Pelennor Fields ― Howard Shore • 6 min
🎥 Alice’s Theme ― Danny Elfman • 5 min
🎥 Across the Stars ― John Williams • 7 min
🎥 American Prometheus ― Ludwig Göransson • 8 min
10 Orchestration Blueprints
🎥 10 Orchestration Blueprints Introduction • 1 min
🎥 7 Orchestration Blueprints • 30 min (YouTube Video)
Orchestration & Mockup Workshop
🎥 1 – Sketch & Structure • 5 min
🎥 2 – Melody • 3 min
🎥 3 – Melody Support • 5 min
🎥 4 – Harmony • 13 min
🎥 5 – Rhythm • 4 min
🎥 6 – More Melody Support • 4 min
🎥 7 – Colors & Transitions • 4 min
🎥 8 – More of All + Workflow & Mockup • 17 min
🎥 9 – Layering & Runs • 4 min
🎥 10 – Intro & Outro • 10 min
🎥 11 – Last Touches • 14 min
Mix & Master Workshop
🎥 1 – Mix Preperation • 2 min
🎥 2 – Placement & Gain • 7 min
🎥 3 – Reverb for Long Articulations • 11 min
🎥 4 – Reverb for Shorts & Solo • 8 min
🎥 5 – Equalizer • 13 min
🎥 6 – Compression • 7 min
🎥 7 – Main Out Automation • 1 min
🎥 8 – Mastering • 9 min
🎥 9 – Mixing pt1 • 6 min
🎥 10 – Mics & Mixing pt2 • 7 min
🎥 Final Result • 3 min
Final Thoughts
🎥 Final Thoughts • 7 min
Resources
📥 Project Files
- CUBASE-FILE – Template (Stock Plugins Version)
- CUBASE-FILE – Template (Paid Plugins Version)
- CUBASE-FILE – Workshop (Final Result)
- CUBASE-FILE – 7 Orchestral Colors
- CUBASE-FILE – 10 Orchestration Blueprints
- CUBASE-FILE – Various Clips
- LOGIC-FILE – Workshop (Final Result)
- LOGIC-FILE – Template
📥 PDFs
- PDF – Orchestral Instrument Ranges Cheatshee
- PDF – 10 Orchestration Blueprints (incl. Audio & Midi)
- PDF – Streaming Services LUFS Test of Cinematic Music
- PDF – 7 Orchestral Doublings (incl. Audio)
- PDF – The 6 Orchestral Functions Checklist
- PDF – Leos Shortcuts
- PDF –Handwritten Notes
📥 Other
- OTHER – Workshop Final Result (Audio Stems)
- OTHER – Workshop Final Result (Midi File)
- OTHER – String Rhythms (Midi Files)
- OTHER – Leos Shortcut File
📄 Gear Recommendations
📄 VSL EDU & Cubase Discount
📄 Appendix: Terminology
free preview clips
from the chapter on harmony
from the chapter on rhythm
you will get...
✔️ 8+ hours of on-demand video training
✔️ Templates, cheatsheets & blueprints worth 60€
✔️ All cubase project files and audio stems to follow along
✔️ All my PDF resources
✔️ Feedback from me & other composers in my Discord community
✔️ Guaranteed lifetime access to all course materials
✔️ Beautiful (slightly illegible) handwritten notes
✔️ FREE Bonuses
wait, did you say free bonuses? 🎁
Yes. I’ve partnered up with some of my favorite music software brands — I literally still can’t believe they agreed — to include a bunch of free bonuses. They perfectly complement the course:
💸
exclusive VSL discount:
30% off any library for 1 year
💰
exclusive Steinberg deal:
10% off Cubase
🎁
chance to win orchestral sample libraries
total value:
Course 199 €
+ Templates 30 €
+ Cheatsheet 10 €
+ Blueprint 20 €
-------------------------
Value 259 €
your price: 199 €
VAT calculated at checkout if applicable.
or split into 3 monthly payments of 66 €
what others say about my course
"Leo uses the simplest of means to present the complex structures of DAW-based orchestral composition in such a way that even professional composers find it extremely captivating and enlightening. Every detail of the production, no matter how small – from historical components to comparative references from current international works – is explained and analysed in clear sequences. A must-have for every professional, a stroke of luck for every beginner."
"Leos course is very well produced and structured. It makes complex concepts easy to understand, allowing anyone with an interest in film scoring — regardless of prior experience — to follow along comfortably. Well done!!!"
"Leo has a clear and highly structured way of making orchestration simple without dumbing it down. This course builds the kind of foundation cinematic composers actually need. And btw — the pen and paper thing is really cool!"
"I didn’t know the first thing about orchestration, but I watched a few of Leo’s videos on YouTube and they gave me the confidence to sign up for his course. I’m learning a great deal thanks to the way he explains things, and I hope to put it into practice soon."
"It's safe to say that I would class myself as a beginner composer and this course was perfect for me! The course's key take away for me was the different orchestration techniques being used practically with resources to support the knowledge being shared. On top of this the insights and techniques used for mixing and mastering helped me produce music which sounded clear. "
"Absolutely awesome! I learned a lot and you are such a great coach! Especially the little tricks for supporting tracks made it for me.
I really enjoyed watching the course and asking questions."
"Despite my background in music theory and pop/rock arranging, this course revealed key insights I had been missing. It enabled me to finally build a solid Rockband–Orchestra hybrid template and quickly create a convincing mock-up that came close to my reference."
"This course is extremely useful for beginners like me. It contains all the necessary knowledge in one place so you don’t have to scavenge through YouTube and collect bits and pieces of information like I did in the past. I bought far more expensive courses with way less information than you can find here. Highly recommended if you are interested in learning orchestral music and need a clear explanation and learning path. "
"During the course, I realized that I’m actually not a beginner anymore, but already at a more advanced level. Many of the topics were already familiar to me. That said, I don’t regret taking the course at all, I was still able to learn quite a bit. I’m not classically or musically trained, so I’m missing many fundamental skills. Those fundamentals are exactly what I was able to learn or deepen here. That doesn’t mean I suddenly compose better or more beautifully, but it has significantly sped up my workflow, because this new foundational knowledge helps me reach my goals faster. Some things were, of course, completely new to me as well. And last but not least, the course also gave me additional inspiration."
"As a composer taking my first steps in professional work, I can say that Leo has managed to combine a truly accessible language with a profound and valuable foundation. He takes you by the hand and guides you from the beginning! But don't be fooled, there's enough knowledge here for a long time, with many techniques to make your orchestration incredible, mixing that with life experiences and analyses of great works. And I loved the pens and notepad!"
"This course got me started!
I have wanted to do some Orchestral composition for some time but felt overwhelmed to get started with anything other than a few chords across all the strings sections. Now I have an approach (framework) to guide me. Thank you Leo."
"My experience with this course is that Leo explains everything in a very understandable and down-to-earth way, and that there is so much value for a very affordable price.
I sincerely recommend it!"
"The course visuals are excellent, w/ good articulation and explanation of technical terms, as well as giving an understanding of orchestral section(s) sweetspots and so much more about technical details. Leo uses handwritten tables to explain rather complex themes in abstract way, greatly appreciated by me. Used examples of scoring legends like John Williams, Hans Zimmer and others foster deeper understanding of practical implementation of explained theoretical part. Overall a great building block for scoring beginners and intermediate. Looking forward to further courses on detail themes."
"Watching this course come together, I was struck by how clearly Leo communicates ideas that often intimidate new composers. He has a gift for making complex musical ideas feel accessible without ever oversimplifying them."
buy today, start anytime.
Total Value: 259 €
Your Price: 199 €
VAT calculated at checkout if applicable.
or split into 3 monthly payments of 66 €
learn in an easy, hands-on way (no score-reading required!)
how you'll learn 🙌
We will cover orchestral theory and practice in a clear, visual way. Even the more complex parts become simple and easy to follow. And yes, at times I’ll explain things the old-school way, with pen and paper (notes btw as PDF included, haha) 😊
But we don’t just talk about concepts. We apply them.
From instrumentation and orchestration to analyzing famous film scores, all the way to a complete hands-on composition, mockup, mixing, and mastering workshop (btw. with all project files included!).
This course is built entirely around working in the piano roll. You don’t need to read sheet music, and you won’t be required to learn traditional score reading. Everything is demonstrated directly inside the DAW.
🤝 How it actually works
Once you’re enrolled, you’ll get access to a dedicated course website including 90+ lessons (over 8 hours of high-quality video tutorials), clear, structured and easy to follow. The course remembers where you left off, so you can learn in any order, continue anytime, completely at your own rhythm - even on a dedicated phone App. Through the website, you’ll get access to my gear recommendations, structured quizzes to test your understanding, as well as detailed PDFs and Cubase project files that are normally available separately for €60.
🎁 Community & Monthly Give-Away
If you need feedback on your music or you have any questions, you're always welcome to join our Discord community - a place of aspiring composers, happy to help each other out. Through this community, you also have direct access to me if you need help.
To encourage you to get the most out of the course, each theoretical chapter also includes a short end-of-chapter quiz to help you test your understanding and reinforce the key take aways. As part of the course community, I host a giveaway every three months. Participants who complete all quizzes with a score of at least 80% and are members of the Discord community are automatically entered for a chance to win a curated professional sample library.
🧙♂️ The Cinematic Composer’s Journey:
This course is much more than just a pathway to orchestral composing. It is the second part of my larger project, The Cinematic Composer’s Journey. A series that guides you from your very first home studio steps into cinematic composition, all the way to refining your mockups at the highest level.
If you are lacking music production basics such as setting up a home studio, editing, working with virtual instruments, or mixing and mastering fundamentals, I highly recommend getting the bundle or crossgrading to Part 1, Home Studio Production Essentials.
🎯 my goal is to help you...
✍️
skip years of trial & error and orchestrate the right way from day one
🧙
learn orchestration the way John Williams & Hans Zimmer do
💸
make your music sound professional, without buying another library
Free demo license & exlusive student discounts included.
Built around one sample library & stock plugins only
I want this course to be a true follow-along experience, so you can recreate everything exactly as I do.
That's why I’m using only ONE entry-level sample library, the Synchron Prime Orchestra by VSL. If you don't own the Synchron Prime Orchestra, you can still use it for free during the 30-day trial period. And the best part? You’ll be eligible for VSL’s student discount: 30% off any of their libraries. 😍
When it comes to the DAW, everything taught in the course works in any DAW, so you can follow along with whatever DAW you prefer. I personally work in Cubase, which is also the DAW used throughout this course. Cubase is an official partner of the course, so course participants receive 10% off if they decide to get (careful, bold claim coming) the best DAW out there. 😄
For the mixing & mastering workshop, we'll be using Cubase’s stock plugins only. No third-party plugins. No gear-buying syndrome. Just focus on writing & producing music with what you already have.
Start Your Journey ❱
Meet your instructor
I’m not the biggest fan of the term “instructor”... I don’t see myself as someone teaching from above, but more on that in a second. For now, let me introduce myself 🙂
I’m Leo Brennauer, a musician and composer from Germany. I studied composition for film, theatre, and media at the Zurich University of Arts and now work as a YouTube content creator, where I share my love for music production and cinematic composing.
My musical journey began at the age of five and has taken me through rock bands, jazz ensembles, church groups, and symphonic orchestras - experiences that have shaped my diverse approach to music. One of my most successful projects to date was my former band Rigoros. We reached several million streams on Spotify and spent years performing live in front of large audiences. Along the way, I’ve played a wide variety of instruments and gained hands-on experience in studios. I’ve taught one-on-one lessons and spent more than a decade working in a music store, an experience that connected me with countless beginners taking their first steps in music. All these experiences now feed into my work as a composer and content creator.
I believe the best way to teach music is not from above, but by taking people on a fun and inspiring journey of learning and creativity. That belief drives everything I do: from composing to teaching to sharing my passion for modern cinematic music online.
If you’d like to join me on this journey, I’d be happy to welcome you to my course. And if you’d like to get a feel for my style first, feel free to check out some of my YouTube videos. Hope to see you!
“I had no idea where to start.”
My motivation to build The Cinematic Composer's Journey.
When I started composing with the orchestra, I was overwhelmed — I literally had no idea where to start:
What gear do I need? How do I use samples? Which instrument should play melody? How do I combine instruments? How do my favorite films like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter do it? And where the h*** can I get feedback on my music to know if it's actually any good before I publish it? So many questions… no path.
Years later, after studying film scoring in Zurich, writing for real recording sessions and building countless mockups, I slowly started finding answers. Not hollow, generic “do this and it will sound like this” shortcuts, but real tools and structured ways of thinking that helped my music improve over time. Looking back, I wish someone had taught me those simple, yet super important essentials. This is why I'm putting everything I've learned — and everything I wish someone had taught me back then — into one resource:
The Cinematic Composer's Journey
An online course that takes you on the journey of cinematic composition. Whether you’re a total beginner, just starting with music production, cinematic orchestral composing, or looking to refine your mockups, you’ll learn, explore your creativity, and create something you’ll be proud to share. A course made 100% for the earlier version of myself. Not for someone trying to buy yet another library, but for someone who truly wants to understand the essentials, the way of thinking that not only helps you sound like the icons you look up to, but gives you actual tools to develop your own voice and at the same time achieve a professional, real Orchestral sound. A course for those who want to get the most out of what they already have. If that’s what you’re looking for…
you’re in the right place 🤗
this course is also part of
the cinematic composer's journey
Cinematic Orchestration Essentials is also available as part of The Cinematic Composer’s Journey, my structured learning path that guides you from home studio fundamentals to high-level cinematic orchestral mockups.
The Essentials Bundle combines Music Production Essentialss (Part 1) and Cinematic Orchestration Essentials (Part 2) of this larger series. Part 1 builds the solid music production foundation orchestration relies on, covering everything from setting up a home studio and recording to working with virtual instruments, as well as editing, mixing, and mastering fundamentals.
Part I of the
Cinematic Composer's Journey
🎼 no prior experience needed
🎯 perfect starting point for complete beginners
✅ covering:
• home studio setup fundamentals
• daw setup and workflow basics
• recording and editing audio and midi
• mixing, mastering and exporting basics
🎬 4+ hours in-depth training
Regular price: 79 €
VAT calculated at checkout if applicable.
Part II of the
Cinematic Composer's Journey
🎼 basic music production knowledge required
🎯 for producers exploring orchestration
✅ covering:
• cinematic orchestration fundamentals
• understanding orchestral sections
• cinematic score breakdowns
• realistic mockups and orchestral mixing
🎬 8+ hours in-depth training
Regular price: 199 €
VAT calculated at checkout if applicable.
Separately: 278 €
229 €
VAT calculated at checkout if applicable.
FAQ
Is this course for beginners or intermediate composers?
This course is primarily designed for beginners and composers with 1–3 years of experience.
If you feel overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or stuck between ideas and execution, this course gives you a clear structure and workflow.
Even if you already have some orchestration experience, the structured system, workflow strategies, and orchestral functions framework can help you work more efficiently and make more confident decisions.
Do I need music theory knowledge?
No.
This is not a music theory course.
We work with harmony and musical ideas, of course — but the focus is on orchestration:
how to translate your ideas into convincing orchestral arrangements.
You don’t need advanced theory knowledge to follow along.
How is this different from YouTube?
Free tutorials are often fragmented and topic-based.
This course follows a structured, step-by-step system.
Each lesson builds on the previous one — ensuring you develop real understanding instead of collecting isolated tips.
It’s designed to help you build orchestration knowledge from the ground up in a clear, linear way.
Is orchestral mixing covered?
Yes.
There is a hands-on workshop where I demonstrate mixing tools and how to apply them to orchestral music.
However, one important insight I share in the course is this:
Many beginners believe the solution is in the mix.
In reality, most problems can be solved at the orchestration level.
When the orchestration is clear and structured, mixing becomes much simpler.
Can I take this course with any DAW like Cubase, Logic, FL-Studio?
Yes, you can use any DAW.
All orchestration, mockup production, sample programming, MIDI editing, composing, mixing and mastering techniques that we go through in this course can be replicated in all DAWs.
I demonstrate the workflows in Cubase, but nothing is Cubase-exclusive. For the orchestration, mockup, mixing & mastering workshop I intentionally use stock plugins that exist in every major DAW, so the knowledge transfers directly to Logic, FL Studio, and others.
All project files included in the course — so you can study exactly what I did and follow along — are provided as Cubase project files. However: you also get acccess to download MIDI files and audio stems, which can be imported into any DAW.
Furthermore, my €30 Synchron Prime Orchestra template is included in the course, available for Cubase and Logic Pro.
Do I need expensive sample libraries?
No.
I use Synchron Prime Orchestra in the course.
If you want to follow along very closely with my templates, using the demo version can be helpful, but it’s absolutely not required.
All concepts in this course apply to any orchestral library.
The course is about orchestration principles, not about specific products.
Is this course live or self-paced?
This is a self-paced, on-demand course. You can start anytime and go through the lessons at your own speed.
There are no scheduled live sessions, so you’re not tied to fixed dates or time zones.
That said, you’re not on your own. Inside my Discord community, you can ask questions, share your work, and receive feedback from me and other composers. It’s an active, supportive space where members help each other improve and refine their craft.
What does lifetime access mean?
You receive lifetime access to the course.
If I ever move the platform, you will receive a new access link.
If the platform were to close, you would receive all videos and materials as downloadable files.
pricing & access
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes, there is.
You may request a refund for purchased courses within thirty (30) days of the purchase date. Refund requests are only eligible if no more than thirty percent (30%) of the course content has been completed or no more than thirty (30) lessons have been started, whichever occurs first. Refund requests must be submitted via email within the thirty (30) day refund period: hello@leo-brennauer.com
Access to the course content is provided immediately after purchase. By accepting my Terms of Use and completing your purchase, you acknowledge that course access begins immediately upon purchase.
If you are a consumer residing in a jurisdiction that grants statutory withdrawal rights, such rights are governed by the applicable laws of your jurisdiction. Nothing in this Refund Policy or these Terms of Use is intended to limit or exclude any mandatory consumer rights that cannot be waived under applicable law.
Please note that some courses include downloadable digital products that are also available for separate purchase. If you access and download any of these materials, their value will be deducted from any refund amount.
Additionally, the money-back guarantee does not apply if you have redeemed the VSL EDU status offer or the Exclusive Steinberg Discount included in Cinematic Orchestration Essentials.
Please note:
I’ve tried to describe everything on this page as clearly as possible. If something is unclear, feel free to read through the FAQs so you know where to start and what to expect. You can also check out the free previews and the full course curriculum to get a real sense of how the course works. And if you still have questions before buying, feel free to ask me in the Ask Leo Anything thread on our Discord:
https://link.leo-brennauer.com/discord
That said, I want you to feel completely confident in your purchase. If, despite everything, you’re not satisfied, just email me within seven days and I’ll gladly refund you.
When do I get access after purchase?
You get immediate access right after completing your purchase. As soon as the payment is confirmed, you can log in and start the course right away.
Are there bundle or crossgrade options available?
Yes. If you decide to purchase additional courses within The Cinematic Composer’s Journey, bundle and crossgrade options are available, just send me an email at hello@leo-brennauer.com
Is this a subscription?
This course is a one-time payment. There are no subscriptions, recurring fees, or hidden costs.
Once you purchase the course, you get full lifetime access to all materials, including future updates, for life.
Are there student discounts?
Yes, I offer student discounts. Just send me a DM with your proof of enrollment (student ID) and I’ll provide you with an appropriate discount code.
Mail: hello@leo-brennauer.com
Are there discounts for students from low-income countries?
Yes, I offer scholarships for students from low-income countries.
What is a scholarship and who is it for?
I offer a limited number of scholarships that cover either part or the full cost of my course. These scholarships are personally funded by me, Leo Brennauer, with the goal of making cinematic music education accessible to individuals from regions where the financial cost of such a course represents a significantly greater barrier than in more economically advantaged parts of the world.
The scholarship program is intended for applicants who demonstrate a strong willingness to grow, both creatively and personally. Selection is not based on your current musical skill level, but on your mindset, motivation, and openness to development
Your Application
To apply, you will need to complete a set of questions in a Google Form (link below). It is very important that your application is written entirely by yourself, without the use of AI. I place high value on authenticity and the effort put into your responses. In addition, you will need to provide a form of residence verification (e.g., a scan of an official document).
Scholarships are awarded quarterly following our scholarship panel reviews on:
1st of January
1st of April
1st of July
1st of October
You will receive a response within 1–2 weeks after the me and my scholarship panel has reviewed the applications. Due to the high number of applications, only submissions that clearly demonstrate genuine effort and thoughtful preparation can be considered. Please refrain from sending follow-up emails regarding the status of your application.
Countries Applicable
Scholarships are intended for applicants living in countries with lower purchasing power. The following countries are currently eligible, applications from other countries may not be considered:
Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
If your country isn’t on the list, but you feel it should be, feel free to contact us and we’ll take a look.
Apply here
Google Account needed: https://forms.gle/RCVNDcamKxbZruTUA
Which partner offers are included with the course?
VSL Student Discount (30% off any library)
You qualify for the VSL EDU status when you purchase Cinematic Orchestration Essentials or The Essential Bundle. "Music Production Essentials" does not qualify for the EDU status.
When you purchase Cinematic Orchestration Essentials or The Essential Bundle, you are eligible for a 1-year EDU status with VSL, which gives you access to a 30% off all their products (including the Synchron Prime Orchestra). You find the details about the activation once you're enrolled in the course.
If you apply for or use the VSL EDU status, the money-back guarantee no longer applies.
STEINBERG (10% off Cubase)
Students who purchase Cinematic Orchestration Essentials or the Essentials Bundle receive access to a Cubase Elements, Artist and Pro discount code (currently 10%). The code applies to full versions only. It is not valid for upgrades or crossgrades and cannot be combined with other offers.
This offer is provided in cooperation with Steinberg and may change or be discontinued at any time.
Full details are available in the course resources.
"Music Production Essentials" does not qualify for the Steinberg discount.
VSL 3-Monthly Give Away
The first five chapters include short quizzes covering the key takeaways.
Participants who complete all 25 quiz questions with a score of at least 80% on their first attempt and are members of the Discord community are eligible to enter that quarter’s giveaway.
Eligibility applies only to the 3-month period in which the quizzes are successfully completed for the first time. Entries do not carry over to future giveaway periods.
At the end of each period, three eligible participants will each receive a curated VSL product or may alternatively choose a €100 voucher. The featured products are not announced in advance.
Winners are announced on Discord within 14 days after:
January 1
April 1
July 1
October 1
Participation is voluntary, limited to participants aged 18 or older, and subject to the full terms and conditions provided inside the course. The organizer reserves the right to modify or discontinue the giveaway at any time.
GENERAL
Access to selected partner offers is provided after purchase.
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this one is for you.
You suggested, I listened.
You asked, I listened.
Before creating this course, I sent out a newsletter asking what beginners genuinely struggle with in orchestral writing. I collected your questions and designed a large part of this course around them.
Below, you’ll see how I addressed your topics: whether fully, partially, or (in a few cases) intentionally left them out for now. That doesn’t mean they’re off the table. Some of them simply deserve more space and focus than this course could realistically give.
Thank you for all your questions and thoughts, you genuinely helped shape this course.
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What mindset changes are necessary when moving from band production to orchestral or cinematic composition?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We explore the shift from instrument-based thinking to function-based orchestral writing and structured role distribution.
How to choose instrument to fit mood and tone?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We look at register, sweet spots, and tonal character to make intentional instrument choices using my Orchestral Instruments Cheatsheet.
How to make realistic sounding mockups.
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We focus on orchestration clarity, articulation control, dynamic shaping, and expressive MIDI work in a hands-on orchestration, mix & master workshop.
How can I avoid a dead-end when using tools like Sonuscore or The Orchestra Complete?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
We focus on building strong orchestration fundamentals so your skills are not dependent on specific tools or presets.
Learning which instruments work together in different genres.
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We explore blending behavior, common doublings, and cinematic instrument pairings. I included lots of examples as well as project files and a free PDF resource.
Is there a clear system for distributing roles and parts in orchestral writing?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
I introduce the Six Orchestral Functions as a structured framework for assigning roles clearly and intentionally.
Which libraries to use?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
We work with one focused orchestral setup and explain why clarity and control matter more than endless options.
How to play the piano?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered (by design)
Instrument playing technique is outside the scope of this course.
How to use a MIDI keyboard effectively with articulations and patches?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We explain articulation handling, key switches, performance control, and setup strategies. In a hands-on orchestration workshop I give lots of tips on how to play and record Orchestral samples.
Working with notation in connection with MIDI?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered
Notation is not part of the course focus.
Template balancing.
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We explore different template structures and discuss gain staging in a practical mixing context. At the same time, we clarify why balance starts with orchestration decisions.
Harmonic development.
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered (by design)
While the course does not focus on advanced harmonic theory, I explain voicing, chord distribution, and voice leading concepts throughout, and you see these principles applied in practice during the hands-on workshop. Advanced harmonic theory is not the main focus of this course.
Can I do this with zero music theory knowledge? On any DAW?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
Basic musical understanding is assumed. While the orchestration principles work in any DAW, foundational topics like DAW workflow, home studio setup, MIDI basics, and music production fundamentals are covered in Part 1 of The Cinematic Composer’s Journey. For those starting from zero, there is also a bundle option including both courses: https://link.leo-brennauer.com/coe/bundle
Can I book regular 1:1 or small group reviews?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
While personal coaching is not included as part of the course structure, there is an active Discord community where participants can share their music and receive feedback (and I am also present there). In addition, depending on availability, it is possible to request 1:1 coaching separately. If you are interested, you can reach out via email at hello@leo-brennauer.com
Can you explain a small orchestral template setup in neutral form?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We explore different template types (Full, Light, and Bone), their advantages and limitations, and how to build a clear and efficient orchestral setup that can be adapted to any DAW.
How do you know when to stop adding layers?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We introduce a clear register-based approach and show how functional role distribution prevents unnecessary layering. In the hands-on workshop, we apply these principles in practice to maintain clarity and control density.
Will there be an offer to join for cheap in the beginning stage?
The pricing was carefully considered based on the value and long-term learning time this course can save. There are introductory offers available, and special discounts for students and participants from lower-income countries. Please refer to the FAQ section for current details.
Orchestral sections balancing.
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We study the strengths and limitations of each orchestral section, apply the Six Orchestral Functions in practice, and demonstrate in a hands-on workshop how to balance sections and bring specific instruments forward intentionally.
Orchestrating a piece while composing it.
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We demonstrate how composition and orchestration can develop simultaneously. In a hands-on workshop I take you along the journey of orchestrating while composing.
How to choose chord progression to fit mood and tone?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered (by design)
The course assumes you already understand basic harmony and chord building.
How to distribute melody, harmony, and rhythm across the orchestra?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We use functional thinking to guide structured distribution across sections.
Development of an initial idea into a full orchestral piece.
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We start with a small piano idea and develop it step by step into a full orchestral piece — from initial sketch to complete arrangement, mixing, and final master.
How can I reproduce a certain emotional style through deeper music theory understanding?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered
Advanced harmonic analysis is outside the course scope.
The whole topic around MIDI CCs — how many, how to use them, recording vs editing?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We learn how MIDI works and what CCs control, and then apply modulation and expression in the hands-on workshop so you see how they shape a realistic performance.
How can I create lively, dynamic compositions with only basic instrument skills?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
We show how structure, orchestration clarity, and MIDI expression can elevate ideas beyond technical playing ability.
How to transcribe a piano composition for orchestra?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
In the hands-on workshop, we start from a piano sketch and systematically translate it into a full orchestral arrangement by assigning clear musical roles and developing the piece step by step.
What are the voices of the instruments (thirds, fifths, etc.)?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
While we do not go deeply into interval theory, we learn how to use intervals to strengthen melodies and how to apply different harmonic concepts within the orchestra.
How to combine orchestra with modern pop elements while keeping it natural?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
While I do not directly focus on pop production, I teach orchestration structures and role-based thinking that can be applied across genres. I also analyze modern film scores that use a more contemporary, production-driven approach.
How can I continue improving after the course ends?
Coverage: (technical question)
Improvement does not stop with the course, it continues through application, repetition, and score analysis. I encourage you to actively compose, experiment, and if you want share your work in the open Discord community for feedback and discussion. Depending on interest, there may also be advanced courses in mockup production and orchestration in the future.
Is it okay to use music sheets or MIDI files for the first orchestral attempt?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered
This specific learning strategy is not directly addressed.
Which plugin would you recommend for each instrument type (paid and free)?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered
I deliberately focus on one orchestral library in this course to keep gear acquisition minimal and place the attention where it matters most in the beginning: orchestration. Detailed plugin discussions and comparisons are something I cover in livestreams or on YouTube (feel free to jump into one of the next livestreams!).
What is the difference between expression and volume?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
We clarify the musical and technical distinction between CC expression and track volume and when to use what.
Placing orchestral instruments in a virtual room.
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
You'll learn that convincing results start with orchestration choices rather than complex reverb setups. While we do cover practical reverb use, I intentionally avoid convolution reverbs. To be honest, they are not something you need in the beginning and often not at all, if you use a library like the Synchron Prime Orchestra which is recorded wet and already naturally placed and mixed.
How to work around having very little music theory knowledge?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered (by design)
Basic theoretical understanding is assumed.
How to build good percussion at a basic level?
Coverage: 🟡 Partially Covered
We learn the rhythmic function and its different approaches, and then apply these concepts in the hands-on workshop using also the percussion. While we do not go deeply into every individual instrument, the combination of register thinking and functional writing gives you a clear foundation for convincing percussion writing.
How to craft a melody?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered (by design)
Melody writing itself is assumed knowledge.
How to fully utilize an orchestra correctly?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
I provide a structured system for intentional orchestral role assignment.
What is the best way to learn orchestration?
Coverage: ✅ Fully Covered
I dedicate an entire chapter to score analysis, breaking down 10 famous film music examples, and provide orchestration blueprints, giving you a structured and practical approach to learning orchestration step by step.
How to structure your approach to learning and completing things?
Coverage: ❌ Not Covered (by design)
This course focuses specifically on orchestration and composition. Broader topics around personal productivity and learning systems are better suited for dedicated YouTube content, and I’m always happy to explore those ideas there.
more questions?
Just drop me a quick mail:
hello@leo-brennauer.com or use the form bellow
buy today, start anytime.
Total Value: 259 €
Your Price: 199 €
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or split into 3 monthly payments of 66 €
30 day money-back guarantee
I’ve tried to describe everything on this page as clearly as possible. If something is unclear, feel free to read through the FAQs so you know where to start and what to expect. You can also check out the free previews and the full course curriculum to get a real sense of how the course works. And if you still have questions before buying, feel free to ask me in the Ask Leo Anything thread on our Discord:
https://link.leo-brennauer.com/discord
I want you to feel completely confident in your purchase. If, despite everything, you're not satisfied, simply email me within thirty (30) days and I'll gladly refund you – provided the refund conditions outlined in my Terms of Use are met.
Refund Policy & Withdrawal Rights
You may request a refund for purchased courses within thirty (30) days of the purchase date. Refund requests are only eligible if no more than thirty percent (30%) of the course content has been completed or no more than thirty (30) lessons have been started, whichever occurs first. Refund requests must be submitted via email within the thirty (30) day refund period: hello@leo-brennauer.com
Access to the course content is provided immediately after purchase. By accepting my Terms of Use and completing your purchase, you acknowledge that course access begins immediately upon purchase.
If you are a consumer residing in a jurisdiction that grants statutory withdrawal rights, such rights are governed by the applicable laws of your jurisdiction. Nothing in this Refund Policy or these Terms of Use is intended to limit or exclude any mandatory consumer rights that cannot be waived under applicable law.
Please note that some courses include downloadable digital products that are also available for separate purchase. If you access and download any of these materials, their value will be deducted from any refund amount.
Additionally, the money-back guarantee does not apply if you have redeemed the VSL EDU status offer or the Exclusive Steinberg Discount included in Cinematic Orchestration Essentials.
Not ready yet? No rush! Check out my free mini course, Orchestral Composing for Beginners. It gives you a preview of what Cinematic Orchestration Essentials will look like:
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this one is on me:
FREE Orchestration Mini-Course 🎁
... wait did you say free?
Yes! In my seven chapter course Orchestral Composing for Beginners I show you how to go from first idea to a full orchestral track. Everything you need to get started 😊
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