Written Assignment #4 – Live Concert Review Report
For this assignment, you will need to plan ahead. During this semester, you must attend a live symphony orchestra concert, opera, musical with live music accompanying, jazz big band, jazz combo, or chamber ensemble with at least three performers in order to complete it. As long as it is one of these ensembles, any event is OK. If you go to a musical, try to find a “professional” rather than a “community” production. In any case, you must find a way to see the orchestra or ensemble at some point in the performance (they are usually in the “pit”—and yes, that’s what it’s called). Here is a list of places you might find a concert. You may find a concert at other places too–your high school, college campus, church or community events. These are just some suggestions.
You will need to bring paper and pen to take notes. Some students find it helpful to make a chart beforehand of the musical elements and write comments in each category about each piece on the program throughout the concert. Have fun!
Write the equivalent of a 2-3 page report giving a review of the concert you attended. Your review must include the following:
What kind of listener were you at the concert? Why?
What pieces were performed?
What was the style of each of the pieces performed?
What was the instrumentation of the orchestra?
Draw out and upload the seating arrangement of the instruments in the orchestra. Include (upload) the concert program and ticket stub.
Analyze 3-4 pieces played during the concert using the following criteria from the course:
Unity and Variety
Structure of the Music
Purpose of the Music
Tempo
Volume
Rhythm
Melody
Harmony
Form
Historical Period
View the sample of a well-written concert report.
Use Microsoft Word to type your report. Save as .docx format.
Run a spell check/grammar check (under the “Review” menu in Word). Correct grammar and spelling will be part of your grade.
Copy and paste your proofread assignment into the Assignment Drop Box (not the “Comments” Box.)
All written assignments will run through TurnItIn, a plagiarism and AI-checking tool. Be sure to paraphrase appropriately.
See the Rubric for how your grade will be determined.
