Purpose
of Assessment
To apply the
skills gained in the course, students are required to select and complete a
final project from presented options (see Assessment Practices), based on the
instructor’s sole discretion.
Assessment
Practices
Final Project
options may come in one or more of the following forms: Live Concert Report,
Virtual Concert Report, Research Paper, Musical Artist Interview, Original
Composition Analysis, and Personal Performance Analysis. Students need to check
Instructor Policies in the syllabus for the due date and other submission
conditions that may apply. Grading Rubrics for this assessment will be
posted on Blackboard. Late projects are not accepted for any reason.
__________________________________________________________________
Virtual
Concert Report Goal: Create
an “ideal” concert based on genres covered in the class. YouTube videos provide
the musical content.
Instructions:
• Students will research and create an “ideal”
concert they might attend in real life based on genres covered in the class.
• Concert must feature
• Three different works by three different
composers
• Selected from at least three different
time periods (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth
Century, Twenty-First Century)
Music
Specifics
• Total amount of music on concert
should be 30-45 minutes max.
•
Multi-movement
instrumental/vocal (e.g., suites, concertos, symphonies, choral masses, song
cycles, etc.): may list maximum 4 movements for timing purposes – analysis must
focus on only one
movement in sufficient detail (submit links for each movement)
•
A
jazz combo, trio or orchestra may be used.
•
Dramatic
works (e.g., ballets, opera, operetta, music theatre) – may select up to 4
specifically titled numbers within show for timing purposes (submit links for
each number) – analysis must focus on only one number in sufficient detail (submit
links for each movement)
•
Do
not select a full length concert recording for the report
•
Maximum
1 piece may come from works referenced/analyzed/presented in course materials –
students can select different works by favored composers, historical periods,
approved genres, etc.
• Students must provide a YouTube
link to a specific online performance for each selected work.
•
Students
will write program notes as described below, with “What to Listen For” examples
that detail particular musical elements.
•
A
Bibliography is included (works cited page)
•
Submit
the essay online via SafeAssign. No emails, please.
•
Essays
will be graded in accordance with the Concert Report Grading Rubric.
Example program
below:
O Frondens
Virga………………………………………………………… Hildegard von Bingen
(1098-1179)
Chorus: Chanticleer
Sonata No.3 in B
minor, Op.58………………………….…………………. Frédéric Chopin
I. Allegro
(1810-1849)
II. vivace
III. largo
IV. Finale,
presto
Pianist:
Daniil Trifonov
Pazu’s Fanfare/ Destruction of Laputa…………………………………………Joe Hisaishi
(b.1950)
Princess Mononoke Suite………………………………………………………..Joe
Hisaishi
(b.1950)
Conductor: Joe Hisaishi
Performed by: New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hstbdf-vOo4&list=RDHstbdf-vOo4&start_radio=1&t=10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqJUndgmPA&list=RDHstbdf-vOo4&index=3
Successful essays will include the
following:
Section
1: An opening paragraph providing the following
details:
•
List of the chosen
compositions (title in italics) with composer’s names and birth and death dates
•
If there are multiple
movements, list the movements as the composer intended
•
What are the performing
forces? Full orchestra? Chamber ensemble? Choir? Soloist(s)? List them from the
YouTube video
•
How do the compositions
presented relate to one another from a historical perspective? Is the program
all choral music? All works for orchestra? A mixture of styles and performing
forces?
Section
2: An objective analysis of the first work on the
program:
• Paste
the YouTube link at the beginning of this paragraph.
• Provide
a brief summary of the composer’s life and their importance in music history.
This must be in your own words – no plagiarism.
• Briefly
describe when the composition was written (era and date(s)), any influences
that are connected to it’s composition (commission, particular event, etc.).
This must be in your own words – no plagiarism.
• MUSICAL
ELEMENTS FOR DISCUSSION: Define using correct
and official definitions melody and texture.
• “What
to Listen For”: Provide a detailed,
objective analysis that specifically addresses melody and texture as heard in
the music. Remember to include and
define the sub-elements of melody (contour, intervals, counter-melody,
etc.) and texture (different types of texture and what they sound like).
Section
3: An objective analysis of the last work on the program:
•
Paste the YouTube link at the beginning of
this paragraph.
•
Provide a brief summary of the composer’s
life and their importance in music history.
•
Briefly describe when the composition was
written (era and date(s)), any influences that are connected to it’s
composition (commission, particular event, etc.).
• MUSICAL ELEMENTS
FOR DISCUSSION:
Define using correct and official definitions any two (2) of the following
elements of music: rhythm, harmony, dynamics, tempo, and timbre.
•
“What to Listen For”: Provide a detailed, objective analysis that
specifically addresses the two elements defined above as heard in the
music. Remember to include and define the sub-elements (syncopation,
nonmetric, consonance, dissonance, Italian terms for dynamics and tempo
descriptions with English definitions).
Section
4: A subjective description of a middle work on the program:
•
Paste the YouTube link at the beginning of
this paragraph.
•
Provide a brief summary of the composer’s
life and their importance in music history.
•
Briefly describe when the composition was
written (era and date(s)), any influences that are connected to it’s
composition (commission, particular event, etc.).
•
How did the composition make
you feel emotionally overall?
•
Did the music remind you of
anything? A life experience? A person? Another piece?
•
Was there a specific point
in the composition that affected you especially? If so, what did you feel
emotionally during that/those moment(s)? (Use video timing marks to enhance
your points.)
•
Did you like or dislike the
piece? Why?
Section
5: Final Paragraph, Overall Impressions:
• Provide rationale for your musical selections. Be specific in
your reasons.
• Would you recommend this music to another classmate? Explain
why or why not.
• Would you listen to this music again? Explain why or why not.
Citations Page:
·
Use
MLA Format
Essay Format:
Your essay should
adhere to the following formatting requirements. If you are unsure how to
select these options, check with your instructor:
•
Font size: 12
point
•
Acceptable Fonts:
Cambria, Arial, or Times New Roman
•
Spacing:
Double-spaced
•
Length: at
least 1000 words prose in the body of the essay
Submit
this document through the Safe-Assign link under the Final Project tab
Assignment Learning
Outcomes:
• Identify and describe
the various fundamentals concepts of music and music notation symbols by
applying traditional terminology.
• Discuss and compare
the various functions, uses, and contexts of music.
• Define and contrast
historical eras and their musical genres.
• Evaluate music’s relationship
to culture and society.
