The papers should be 2 pages (minimum), double-spaced, and 11- or 12-point font. Please submit your review papers via the Concert Review Paper tab on Blackboard. All papers are to be written in your own words with no cutting and pasting from internet sources or the textbook. Any form of plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in automatic failure of the paper!
Here is a link to a sample concert review.
Jazz Concert Review: Vocalist Kurt Elling — Going Through the World with Curiosity
For this assignment you will attend or watch a performance (live, video, or virtual) of any genre of American music and write a short review paper. The performance should be a minimum of 45 minutes. (Youtube video concerts are ok!) While writing your review paper be sure to incorporate relevant information and musical terminology from class readings, listening, class discussions, etc. The papers may be written in either first or third person and should be in the style of a concert review that you would typically read in a newspaper or internet blog. There are many aspects of a performance that you may focus on, but don’t try to cover everything that happened during the performance in your review. Instead, pick a few moments and pieces from the performance that encapsulate the overall experience of the presentation. You can talk about the abilities of the performers, how the performers presented themselves, the music, how the music was interpreted, aspects of the performance that really stood out, things that you did not like, etc. Honesty and fair criticism are always welcome, but be careful to maintain a respectful tone throughout your review.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the assignment.
Prof. Rohde
