s hinton

Comparing Composers

Goal: The goal of this assignment is to analyze and compare two compositions of music from different eras using musical terminology to express ideas.

Course Objectives:                                                                   

· CO-1: Identify Western music by style and era.

· CO-2: Apply musical terminology, concepts and critical listening skills to a given major composer and style of music.

Description: 

Compare 2 compositions from different eras. In your comparison, you will touch upon two elements of music using relevant language and terminology as well as discuss where people attended concerts. 

Directions:

1. Choose 2 compositions from different eras. See the Weekly Listening Section for some choices or look up a performance. If you need suggestions for pieces to listen to, contact me. I can help guide you to some excellent performances (if I do say so myself!). 

2. Choose 2 elements of music to reflect on in your comparison. There are many online sources for discussing musical elements. Here is a video that you might find helpful: “All Elements of Music Explained” https://youtu.be/9C5Ubk-G318?si=2XpRLKLws1EGv_Js

Here is a link from Hello Music Theory, “The 10 Basic Elements of Music”  https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/elements-of-music/

· Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Timbre, Texture, Form

3.  Listen to the pieces (from #1) concentrating on the two elements of music (from #2).

4. After listening to the performances, write up the following:

· Introductory paragraph: Preview the main points that will be addressed in the paper. Be sure to include the names of the composers and titles of the compositions.

· Define Elements: Define in your own words your choice of two of the following elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture, and form.

· Compare Elements: Evaluate the similarities and differences of the two elements between the two compositions. In the evaluation expand on the definitions that you supplied. Use musical terminology and information from the course materials to express your ideas.

· Concert Location: Discuss where people attended concerts during the Middle Ages (500-1400), Renaissance Era (1400-1600), the Baroque era (1600-1750 AD) and the Classical era (1750-1800 AD) using scholarly information to support your ideas.

· Concluding paragraph: Wrap up the main points of the paper. Be sure to mention the composers and composition titles in the conclusion

Submission Guidelines

This essay should be 750-1000 words in length. This assignment should reflect knowledge and understanding of the course materials. Points should be supported by specific information from scholarly sources and musical terminology should be used to express ideas. This essay should be written in paragraph form using complete sentences with a clear introduction and conclusion. Reference both concerts in the introduction and conclusion. 

In addition to these elements, fulfill the Requirements for Writing Assignments , including citing all sources (including the concerts) both in the body of the text and on a reference page.

Note that MLA is the standard citation style in the humanities. However, if your university major uses APA or you are more comfortable with it go ahead and use it.

Here are some good sources of information for  Evaluating Online Resources,  Citing Sources, and  Writing & Grammar Resources. The video links for the concerts should be cited in the body of the text and in your reference page.

Comparing Composers

Goal: The goal of this assignment is to analyze and compare two compositions of music from different eras using musical terminology to express ideas.

Course Objectives:                                                                   

· CO-1: Identify Western music by style and era.

· CO-2: Apply musical terminology, concepts and critical listening skills to a given major composer and style of music.

Description: 

Compare 2 compositions from different eras. In your comparison, you will touch upon two elements of music using relevant language and terminology as well as discuss where people attended concerts. 

Directions:

1. Choose 2 compositions from different eras. See the Weekly Listening Section for some choices or look up a performance. If you need suggestions for pieces to listen to, contact me. I can help guide you to some excellent performances (if I do say so myself!). 

2. Choose 2 elements of music to reflect on in your comparison. There are many online sources for discussing musical elements. Here is a video that you might find helpful: “All Elements of Music Explained” https://youtu.be/9C5Ubk-G318?si=2XpRLKLws1EGv_Js

Here is a link from Hello Music Theory, “The 10 Basic Elements of Music”  https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/elements-of-music/

· Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Timbre, Texture, Form

3.  Listen to the pieces (from #1) concentrating on the two elements of music (from #2).

4. After listening to the performances, write up the following:

· Introductory paragraph: Preview the main points that will be addressed in the paper. Be sure to include the names of the composers and titles of the compositions.

· Define Elements: Define in your own words your choice of two of the following elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture, and form.

· Compare Elements: Evaluate the similarities and differences of the two elements between the two compositions. In the evaluation expand on the definitions that you supplied. Use musical terminology and information from the course materials to express your ideas.

· Concert Location: Discuss where people attended concerts during the Middle Ages (500-1400), Renaissance Era (1400-1600), the Baroque era (1600-1750 AD) and the Classical era (1750-1800 AD) using scholarly information to support your ideas.

· Concluding paragraph: Wrap up the main points of the paper. Be sure to mention the composers and composition titles in the conclusion

Submission Guidelines

This essay should be 750-1000 words in length. This assignment should reflect knowledge and understanding of the course materials. Points should be supported by specific information from scholarly sources and musical terminology should be used to express ideas. This essay should be written in paragraph form using complete sentences with a clear introduction and conclusion. Reference both concerts in the introduction and conclusion. 

In addition to these elements, fulfill the Requirements for Writing Assignments , including citing all sources (including the concerts) both in the body of the text and on a reference page.

Note that MLA is the standard citation style in the humanities. However, if your university major uses APA or you are more comfortable with it go ahead and use it.

Here are some good sources of information for  Evaluating Online Resources,  Citing Sources, and  Writing & Grammar Resources. The video links for the concerts should be cited in the body of the text and in your reference page.