The following instructions come directly from my instructor.
Your analyses should be two pages in length, 12pt Times New Roman font, and double-spaced. You are free to write more, but please do not exceed four pages. This document provides the structure that you should follow while completing your analyses.
Section 1. Provide a summary statement as to the nature of the concert and the music performed.
Section 2. Select two pieces that stood out to you and compare them using appropriate musical terminology. This section is primarily analysis and should comprise the majority of the paper. See below for further information.
Section 3. Provide an appropriate conclusion to your paper which: 1) does not end abruptly; 2) reflects your reaction to the overall experience of attending a concert or recital.
ANALYSIS STRUCTURE
SECTION 1
Setting
Date & place of the performance
Name of performing group
Type of music presented (instrumental, choral/vocal, dramatic)
Concert setting (hall, performers’ dress)
Music
Which genres, or types, of music were performed? (symphonic music, chamber music,
vocal music, opera, etc.)
Is there any indication that the music imitates or hints at non-musical ideas (birds,
volcanoes, natural sounds, B52 bombers, etc)? If so, could you hear this in the music?
SECTION 2
Musical Comparison
Take at least two of the pieces from the performance (or two movements of a larger piece) and compare what you hear. Name the composer, work, and movement number (if the pieces have different movements) and then compare them according to the elements of music that we studied in Part 1 (The Materials of Music) of the text. Use the following elements as you are able. In some cases, in order to attain the two-page minimum, you may need to compare more than two pieces or movements. You may use online program notes to help you understand the music, but please do not rewrite the program notes in your paper. The comparison needs to be based on your observations, not the observations of the program notes’ authors.
Melody (ex. range, smooth scale-like motions, lots of leaps)
Rhythm/meter (ex. simple or complex patterns)
Harmony (ex. consonant, dissonant, made you want to scream)
Texture (ex. monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, combination of all three)
Tempo (ex. fast, slow, walking pace)
Dynamics (ex. loud, grew louder, became deafening)
Instruments (ex. which instruments were represented, which voice ranges)
Mood (ex. joyful, sad, deserves a mosh-pit)
Other (ex. anything you can think of
SECTION 3
General Impressions
What was your overall reaction to the concert?
What did you like about it?
What didn’t you like about it?
What was the audience like? (ages, behavior, etc)
Other comments
My instructor gave us links to approved concerts. You can choose which one you would like to do.
Thank you!
