concert report

Music 21: Concert Report #1 and 2 Attend a live (no podcasts, etc) western classical music performance and write a typed report. Make sure to review all instructions prior to attending a performance. Concert Guidelines:

1. The level of the performance must be college-age performers or professional—no middle/high school/etc. performances.

2. The performance must be of western art music, similar to the genres discussed in text chapters assigned in the syllabus—orchestra, chamber music, solo instrumental performances, opera, choir, ballet, musicals, etc. If you have doubts about a concert qualifying as “western art” music, e-mail me before attending.

3. You must attend the entire performance- no late arrivals or early departures. Report:

• 2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced on 8.5 x 11 paper with one-inch margins • Attach the concert program with your report. • Do NOT copy the program notes. You may use outside references with proper citation (MLA

or APA is fine. Check PCC Library’s website for help: http://www.pasadena.edu/library/citing.cfm).

Your report is YOUR observations of the concert. It will address these 4 categories:

1. Performance setting: Give the date, place, and name(s) of groups performing. Briefly

describe the performance setting- for example, you might include your observations on the ambiance of the performance space, performers’ attire dress, audience’s attire, etc. and how it affected your concert-going experience.

2. Type(s) of music: Which types/genres of music were performed (symphony, opera, concerto, etc). Which historical eras were represented on the program? What were the performing forces needed to perform the works? Were concert programs with notes provided? Did you read or research about the works before or after the performance? If so, in which source(s)?

3. Choose two movements or short pieces from the program and contrast/compare these works with references to specific musical elements. You must choose two separate movements or pieces. Your essay may include, but is not limited to, a discussion about the melody, key and scale mode, rhythm, form, harmony, texture, text, etc. I want you to use your ears and listen for the basic elements discussed in class and apply them to the pieces of your concert. Try to highlight what really “stuck out” to you about the music in this section.

4. Evaluate your concert going experience. What did you enjoy about the music, what would have improved your experience, how did the performance fit or foil your expectations? Were there any aspects of the performance that were unfamiliar or surprising to you? If so, what? For Concert Report #1- tell me what type of concert you might consider for your second concert report.

Grading These are the three criteria I consider when grading this assignment:

1. Proper use of terminology, quality of answers to the questions/guidelines above 2. Individuality of thought, personal observations and insights 3. Spelling, grammar, proper formatting and citations, and general coherence

The reports are due on the dates listed on your syllabus. You will turn it in via Canvas’s “Turnitin”.

The greater Los Angeles area hosts a plethora of concert opportunities, many of which are free or offer discounted student rush opportunities. Here are a few ideas to get started: LA Philharmonic Los Angeles Opera Pasadena Symphony Orchestra Southwest Chamber Music Jacaranda Chamber Music Muse/ique

Arcadia Public Library Pasadena Presbyterian Church (Wednesdays at Noon series) Neighborhood Church’s Pro-Musica Lake Avenue Church Thursdays at Noon LACMA Sundays Live Colburn School and USC Thornton Concerts PCC Campus performances

Here are online resources for finding local concerts: Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter: http://www.sundayslive.org/newsletter.cfm Performing Arts Live Calendar: http://www.performingartslive.com/ A few helpful hints:

1. Take a pad of paper and jot down a few notes in between pieces to help jog your memory when you write your paper later. However, do not write during the performance—it will distract others, even possibly the performers!

2. Plan ahead! Keep an eye out for an event that really interests you—writing about something you find interesting will be much easier.

3. Be open to trying something new, but also consider researching the program to make sure it is something you won’t actively dislike. Find other performances of the program online or at the library (Youtube, Spotify) so you know what you will be seeing and hearing ahead of time.

Concert-going etiquette Proper concert etiquette shows respect and common courtesy for the performers and your fellow concert-goers. Remember to always use your best judgment, but here are a few common rules of etiquette:

• If you must leave for an emergency or have arrived late, enter only when an usher indicates it is ok to do so. If there are no ushers, only enter during applause in between selections.

• Don't talk during a performance. • Cell phones and other noise making devices must be off! • Never text or call someone during a concert. If you would like to video or take pictures, ask

the performers or concert organizer ahead of time. Never use a device that makes noise or has a flash.

• If your performance venue allows you to eat in the auditorium, do not unwrap candy or slurp soda while the musicians are playing. Otherwise, no food or drink should ever be brought to a concert. The one exception is if you have a cough—have cough drops unwrapped and ready to SILENTLY abate coughing.

• Some classical pieces of music are broken down into parts called "movements." In between these movements the music will stop for a few seconds. Usually, the audience does not applaud until the conductor or performers has dropped his hands and has turned around or risen to acknowledge the audience.

Common problem checklist Before you turn your paper in, check for the following:

1. If you wrote about a piece of music, did you refer to the piece title and the composer? If not, go back and add in the composer’s last name and the name of the piece about which you are writing

2. Is it in paper form? If you used numbers to label the paragraph, go back and delete them. 3. Scan your paper and delete any contractions. This includes: don’t, can’t, wouldn’t, I’d,

shouldn’t, didn’t. 4. Scan your paper for informal terms that do not belong in an academic paper. This include

“Kinda” , “I think”, “something”, “sorta”, “sort of”, etc. 5. Read your paper out loud to see if it makes sense. If you have to read a sentence twice or it is

not clear, re-do that sentence. 6. Do not weakening statements such as “I think” or “I believe”. Since this is your paper, we

already know that this is what you believe. 7. Did you refer to the audience? If so, did you use the proper form, which is audience or

audience members, not audiences?