for njosh only

Step 1: Learn about the Elements of Music

For this assignment, you will learn about several different elements of music and then use these elements to describe a music performance. To learn about the elements of music, read about and see examples of each element on the  Elements of Music  page.

Elements of Music

Click here to see an overview of the Elements of Music. Read below for more details and examples of each element.

Melody—the musical "tune"; the principal melody is often the most prominent element that we perceive in Western music

Conjunct — moving smoothly, step-wise motion

Disjunct — melody does not have a smooth or even contour, music has a leaping motion

Lyrical — singable; often refers to a smooth, elegant melodic line has less rhythmic complexity and a slower tempo

Click this link to read more about Melody: Melody, Part 1 (Bonds 2).
Click this link to read more and see examples of Conjunct and Disjunct Melody: Melody, Part 2 (Bonds 3).

Rhythm — the way music unfolds in time; the flow of music through time

Is the rhythm repetitive? Does it have a steady beat? Is it fast or slow?

Harmony — the result of the "addition" of multiple pitches; how chords are constructed and how they interact in succession through time

Major — we tend to associate the music based upon major scales with happiness

Minor — music based upon minor scales is often connected to sadness, loneliness, loss, or anger

Texture — the way in which different musical elements interweave

Monophonic — A single melody with no accompaniment; the simplest texture

Homophonic — One main melody with accompaniment; the most common texture in Western music    

Polyphonic — Music with two or more significant melodies asserting their independence or competing with one another

Timbre — the element of pure tonal quality (or “sound”) perceived in the music; differs by instrument and voice

High, Medium, or Low Register — identifies the pitch-level of the music; how high or low the notes sound

Voice vs. instrument — are the performers singing, playing instruments, or both

Instrumental forces — what is being played; woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, or (more precisely) flutes, clarinets, violins, cellos, etc.

Dynamics — Is it loud or soft?

Form — The larger shape of music in time; the scaffolding or architecture in music. The three basic building blocks for musical form are repetition, variation, and contrast.

Click here to read more about Form (Bonds 49).

Step 2: Read a professional review

Prior to attending the performance, read a professional music review on the website of one of the following major national newspapers: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, or Washington Post. You should  not  look for a review of the exact performance or performers you are going to see. Instead, you should look for a review of the same sort of performance. For example, if you are attending a string quartet performance, you should search for a professional music review of a string quartet. Your goal is to consider the standard way in which professional music performances are reviewed. You should keep this in mind as you attend the musical performance you have selected for this course and as you prepare to write your own review of it. In the works cited section at the end of your written assignment, you will include the citation for the review you read.

Step 3: Watch the video

Mozart: Coronation Mass - conductor, Karajan - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra & St. Peter's Basilica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeUjMagnJ_M

 (Links to an external site.)

Links to an external site.

 

Bach: Mass in B minor  - choir, conductor, orchestra unknown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F7TVM8m95Y

 (Links to an external site.)

Links to an external site.

 

Vivaldi: Gloria - choir, orchestra, conductor unknown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMHguvZPcqQ

 (Links to an external site.)

Links to an external site.

 

Mozart: Requiem -  conducted by Gardiner - choir, orchestra, unknown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Y2B55nKZY

 (Links to an external site.)

Links to an external site.

Step 4: Complete the written assignment

· With the exception of the performance information you will list at the top of your paper, your paper should be in essay format. There should be no headings or text from the prompts included in your paper.

· Your responses must follow the order of the prompts as outlined below, with clear paragraph breaks to show that you have followed the prompts in sequence. The responses from the separate prompts should NOT be combined into one lengthy paragraph.

· While you will not be graded on word count or page length, your responses must include specific detail and thoughtful analysis. The expected length of a paper that meets rubric requirements is more than 1 page but no more than 2 pages.

· Examine the rubric below to see how your paper will be graded.

Please include the following in a list as shown below. This information should be left-aligned. (Distance Students - you may not always be able to find all of this information on the YouTube performance.  Do the best you can.  You should at least be able to locate the Title of the work and the Name of the group who is performing.) Performance Title Date you attended the performance (or watched the YouTube) Place or location of the performance (Distance Students: location is YouTube) Name of the group who put on the performance

In essay format, respond to the following prompts. Your responses must follow the order of the prompts. You must include clear paragraph breaks to show when you have finished your response to one prompt and begun responding to the next.

First, describe the physical performance space and the audience. Consider items such as acoustics and aesthetics, the average age of the concert-goer, the general attentiveness of the audience, and anything you found either conducive to or distracting from the performance. How did visual aspects add to or detract from the overall performance?

Second, select one piece from the performance to review briefly. Your review must include the name of the piece, its composer, and any featured or notable performers. Remember that the titles of brief works go in quotation marks; the names of long pieces, such as entire symphonies, go in italics. Your review must include a discussion of three (3) different elements of music and how they were featured in this piece.

Third, repeat the above exercise using a second piece from the performance. Your review of this second piece must include the name of the piece, its composer, and any featured or notable performers. Remember that the titles of brief works go in quotation marks; the names of long pieces, such as entire symphonies, go in italics. Your review must include a discussion of three (3) different elements of music and how they were featured in this piece.

Fourth, compare and contrast the two pieces you have reviewed. Your comparison of the two pieces should center on their use of the elements of music. Your comparison must discuss at least three (3) elements. How were the pieces similar? How were they different?

Fifth, give an overall review of the performance. What were its strongest and weakest points? What did you like best? What did you like least? Would you attend this sort of performance again? Would you give positive recommendations to others? Be specific and give evidence from the performance to support your review.

Works Cited Close your paper with a works cited section. Your works cited should include a citation for the newspaper review you read at the beginning of the assignment. If you referenced the program notes or material from your reading on the Elements of Music, you must provide citations for those..