Music Virtual Concert

Virtual Concert Review Content:

•Reports are to be based on ONECOMPLETEperformanceof music (1000words minimum).

•All performances must have prior instructor approval for credit. Students will submit,by email, their concert selectionto the instructor for approval. Once approved, the students will submit in the corresponding assignment link, a short written description of the music event to bereviewed.

•Theconcert reviewsdo not have to follow any formal writing format, but must be well organizedwith good paragraphs and proper grammar, spelling, an introduction and conclusion, and correctpunctuation.

•Your reports should include a summary and critique of the concert and also mustinclude some information about the music (see #3 below), which may be in the program notes or discussed at theconcert.

•Things you willinclude:

1.Describe the concert environment: appearance of the hall, performers, & audience.

2.Make general music observations: number and types of instrumentsused.

3.Include specific musical observations:

4.Date of the compositions, historical period, and/or information aboutthe composer(s).(Minimal amount in your own words—Plagiarism will result in a failing grade).5.You may also want toinclude:

•The composition (music& performance) you likedbest.

•The composition (music & performance) you liked theleast.6.Provide general reactions to theconcert.Due Date: Specific Date will be included in Course Calendar.Format:

•Papers are to be typed in 12-point non-bold type using Times Roman font, with a one-inch margin on both sides as well as on top and bottom

•Double-space between lines to allow room for comments. Do not use paragraph headings -work all information into sentence form. Do not put extra spaces between paragraphs or major sections; rather, use appropriate wording to establish asignificant change inemphasis.

•Refer to attached “Concert Report Guidelines” for additionalguidance.

Additional Concert Report Guidance and SuggestionsListening to live performances is an essential part of learning to appreciate and understand music. Here are some general guidelines to help you listen, think, and write about a concert.Basic Information to Include

•When and where did the concert take place? How long did itlast?

•How many pieces were performed? What were they called, and how manymovements were in each?Whocomposedeachpiece?

•Who were the performers (name of the ensemble and/or names of thesoloists)?

•If there was a conductor, what was his or hername?

•What types of instruments were played and/or what types of voice parts werefeatured?

•Was there any special purpose to the concert? If so,explain.General Questions to Keep in Mind

•What was your general reaction to the concert? How did the performance sound toyou?

•Was the music performedwell?oWere the musicians rhythmically“together”?oWere they playing/singing intune?oDid any instruments or voices stickout?oHow would you rate the musicians’ technical ability and the energy oftheir performance?oDid they seem well prepared for theconcert?

•Which composition did you like best? Why? (For instance, what specifically did you like about the piece itself or the way it wasperformed?)

•Which composition did you like least?Why?

•Did any of the compositions trigger an emotional response from you? What wereyour specific feelings or thoughts in response to themusic?

•Is this type of concert experience new to you? If so, how do you think that might have influenced your perceptions ofwhat you heard andobserved?

•What makes a performance an artisticevent?Specific Points to ConsiderYou may want to focus your discussion and analysis of the concert on one or more of the following points.

•Describe what you heard and observed using the following musical terms, elements,and concepts discussed inclass.oGenre (symphony, concerto, string quartet,etc.)oStylistic period (Baroque, Classical, Romantic,etc.)oMood (emotion conveyed by the music andperformers)oPitch To what extent does pitch vary throughout the piece? How do changes inpitch reflect changes inmood?oRhythm (beat, accent, tempo, meter, syncopation) How were the elements ofrhythm used to create special or interesting musicaleffects?oDynamics (level of sound) Identify changes in dynamics and discuss the effectsthese changescreate.oTone color (bright, brassy, warm, ringing, hollow,etc.)oMode (major,minor)

oHarmony/melody Discuss the balance (or lack of it) between the melody and its “accompaniment.”Didyouhear consonance, dissonance, or a combination of both?oMotives/themes Identify and note where individual motives and themes arefirst introduced and subsequently reappear in eachpiece.oTexture (monophony, homophony, polyphony,etc.)oForm (sonata form, A B A, theme and variations,etc.)•Using the musical terminology and concepts covered in class, discuss the mostinteresting musical elements or features of the pieces that wereperformed.•Compare the pieces from this performance with other compositions you have studied in class, noting similarities and differences. (Note: In selecting a composition from class,you may want to look for a piece by the same composer, from the same style period, or of the same genre as the piece or pieces from theperformance.)•How does this concert compare to other performances you attendedpreviously?•Describe the behavior of the performers and the audience. What, if any, interaction occurred between the two? What kinds of behavioral expectations do performersand audiences bring to the concert? How are these expectations satisfied orfrustrated?