Critique essay Now that you’ve attended a live concert or watched a full length concert online, you will write a critique of the performance using the format provided in the Concert Critique Guidelines document. The Concert Critique should be 2.5 pages long, double spaced. It should contain five paragraphs that
describe the following aspects of the concert you attended:
1. Who are the performers? Give the title of the concert and write something about the performers.
Is it an orchestra? A choir? An ensemble? Solo artists? Why did you choose to attend this
particular performance? Tell as much as you know about the musicians that performed – are they
professionals? Students? Teachers? How long have they been performing? Etc.
2. Describe the music that was performed on the concert. Use the musical characteristics that we
have been learning in class. What genre is the music (opera aria? Jazz song? Standard tune?
Solo instrument piece? Symphony?)
3. What style period was the music written in? What was the tempo, dynamics, texture, etc.?
Sometimes the music in a concert will be only one genre. Sometimes there will be several genres
performed. Attach the program to your critique, and then refer to the titles in the program. For
example: “Autumn Leaves” was performed by a small instrumental ensemble (guitar, bass, and
percussion). It is a standard contemporary tune. The tempo was a moderately slow ballad. It had
a very mellow sound…
4. Tell how well you think the performers interpreted the music that was on the concert. Were the
singers in tune? Did the piano player play musically and rhythmically? Do you think the
performers communicated the music as it was meant to be communicated by the composer?
5. Tell which pieces or part of the concert was most moving or enjoyable for you. If you didn’t enjoy
the concert very much, tell why you didn’t enjoy it. What could have been better? Be as specific
as you can when expressing your opinion of the performance – don’t just write generalities like “It
was nice” or “it made me feel like dancing”. Tell why the music made you feel like dancing. Write
about why you particularly enjoyed that part of the concert.
6. Conclude your critique by summing up the performance and telling us if you would go to hear
these performers again – or would invite your friends or family to hear this
performance/performers.
