CONCERT REVIEW

Concert Review Min. 650 words

DEADLINE: Monday, April 26th 11:59pm

Criteria for Concert Review Papers

· Choose one concert from the websites below.

· Papers must meet the minimum word count for full credit. You won’t be allowed to resubmit so double check your word count prior to submission.

· Compare and contrast specific works to support your analysis.

· Respond subjectively to the music . Explain your opinions using your knowledge of musical concepts.

· The use of outside sources is not required for concert reviews. If you wish to use outside sources, make sure to cite your sources.

· Please arrive on time for the concert and remain throughout the entire performance. If you are watching a concert online, watch the entire concert. Please practice correct concert etiquette.

· Write the first draft soon after the concert so your impressions remain fresh. Use the program to remind yourself of what you heard and to help yourself use correct terminology.  Don’t fill your report with historical tidbits about each work. 

· Late papers will not be accepted.

Writing Suggestions

• Papers should have introductions and conclusions.

• Break up long paragraphs for better flow.

• Watch the use of semi-colons and commas.

• Underline or italicize major works such as albums or operas. Smaller works such as songs or separate instrumental pieces are in quotation marks.

• Make sure sentences are coherent and concise.

• Look for the use of repeated phrases or words.

• Proofread your paper before submission.

Format

· Papers should be typed and double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font with 1” margins sent in a .doc or .docx format.

· Double-spaced, typed, with a title and student’s name.

· Organization, originality, and clarity, will be evaluated.

· The following statement must be included at end of the paper:

Name: _________________________ Course: _____________

Concert Attended: ________________

Date of Concert: ____________________

This paper is my original work and all research materials, if applicable, are cited. I further attest that I attended the entire concert/program. Electronic Signature: ______________

Introduction 10% of length (about 80 words)

· Identify the concert.  Who performed?  Where was it performed? 

· Describe the performance space, physical surroundings, and the appearance of the performers

· Indicate the types of instruments/voices, the number of musicians, and whether soloists were used in the performance.

Description of the Music 30% of length (about 240 words)

· Discuss one or more musical elements found in the works. Examples of musical elements: melody, harmony (consonance/dissonance), texture (monophony, polyphony, homophony), rhythm, (regular/irregular/accents/syncopation), tempo (largo, andante, allegro), formal structure (contrast/repetition/variation & binary/ternary), key, and dynamics (piano, forte).

· Identify the composer, the work(s) performed, and the historical period to which the music belongs.

 Your Opinions 30% of length (about 240 words)

· Some examples: Did you like individual pieces?  What emotional reaction(s) did you have to any piece?  Why did you react that way?  Was it the composition or the performance or both?  What held your attention?  Did your mood change in the course of the concert?   Could the performance have been better?  How?  Could the selection of compositions performed have been more interesting?  Was this a familiar or a new experience?  Was there a theatrical dimension to the performance? 

  

Conclusion 10% of length (about 80 words)

· Did you like or dislike the experience overall? 

· Was it what your expected, or were you surprised?

· Would you go to another concert? Why or why not?

Eligible Concerts for Review

Performances

Most semesters students are required to attend a live concert for this paper. Because of COVID-19, this semester students may watch a concert online.

Below are some suggested websites to find online concerts. If you find a different concert you would like to watch for this assignment, make sure to clear it with Dr. McKay first.

www.sfcollege.edu/finearts

Santa Fe College will have various streaming concerts this semester featuring Santa Fe College students and faculty.

There will also be a Santa Fe Piano Students concert date TBA

Here are two more websites that include live streaming classical concerts:

https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/live-streamed-classical-music-concerts-coronavirus/

https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2020/03/16/free-online-classical-concerts