I would prefer this to be a broadway musical from the following: Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, Wicked, or the live action Disney Beauty and the Beast
Projects: The Final Project will consist of watching a musical event which is a
minimum length of 60 minutes. The musical event can be concert one chooses to
attend in person, or one which one views via the internet or DVD. The musical
event could also be a musical worship service held at one’s church. The musical
event could also be a Broadway-type of musical, or a musical movie. The student
will need to clear the event choice with the professor for acceptance of the
musical event. After viewing / attending the event as an audience member,
student is to write a minimum 3-page (double-spaced, 12 font, 1-inch margins)
review / critique / analysis, and/or synopsis.
In this paper one can include moments that appealed to you, one can be
critical of any or all aspects of the event, or elements of both. One must also
use the SHMRG format from above to talk about particular pieces within the
musical experience (at least two), as well.
SHMRG:
S – SOUND: What
instruments or voices are performing? What kinds of sounds are you hearing?
What specific instruments or voices are prominent? What is in the background of
what you are hearing? Are the sounds high or low, loud, or soft, crescendo
(gradually getting louder), decrescendo (gradually getting softer)? If changes
occur, when do they happen? If it is sung, what is the text?
H – HARMONY:
Does it sound as if it is in a major or minor
key? Does the harmony (chords) change a lot? Is it monophonic (one voice or
line)? Homophonic (like a hymn or a song with accompaniment)? Polyphonic
(multiple voices or lines occurring throughout)?
M – MELODY:
Is the melody memorable? Can you hear a
melody, or does anything stand out as the tune?
Is it long or short? Is it high, medium, or low in the range of the
music? Are there any striking features
about the tune? What is accompanying the melody? How much does the
accompaniment fill in?
R- RHYTHM:
Is it fast, medium, or slow? Does it speed up
(accelerando) or slow down (ritardando)? Does it ‘feel’ as if it is in 2 / 3 /
or 4 beats per grouping or measure? Are there any patterns that repeat? Is it
like a waltz, march, hymn, pop song, or something else? Are the rhythms dance-like in quality?
G – GROWTH:
This is the ‘form’ or
‘structure’ of a piece; do any parts of the music appear to repeat? Is it in a
verse/chorus type of setting? Does it feel ‘through-composed,’ that is where
new music keeps coming throughout the piece? Do you hear any melodic motives or
musical phrases that re-occur?
