For This Project, You Need To Plan Ahead. Please Note The Da

For This Project You Need To Plan Aheadplease Note The Date At The Bo

This project requires attending a symphony, opera, ballet, or choral concert and then writing a detailed report based on the experience. The report must include specific information about the performance, including the titles and composers of the pieces performed, biographical details of each composer, the historical period of each piece, and an analysis of the music's stylistic qualities. It is essential to observe the orchestra during the performance, describe the seating arrangement, and reflect on your personal listening experience. The report should be 2-3 pages long and at least 1,000 words, answering eight specific questions in order, and written in your own words. The assignment emphasizes timely attendance, ideally within one week of the concert, and choosing high-quality, professional performances, preferably at reputable venues with accessible tickets.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this assignment is to deepen students' understanding and appreciation of live musical performances by engaging directly with a professional concert experience. Attending a symphony, opera, ballet, or choral concert provides students with firsthand exposure to orchestral and vocal artistry, as well as insight into the historical and stylistic contexts of the music performed. A well-chosen concert enriches academic learning by linking theoretical concepts with real-world experience, fostering critical listening skills, and enhancing cultural literacy.

In selecting a concert, students are encouraged to opt for venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles Music Center, or Orange County Performing Arts Center, as these institutions offer high-caliber productions. The choice of performance is flexible but must meet criteria: it must include a full, live orchestra, visible to the audience. Students should verify ticket availability, considering discounts and student rush opportunities, and confirm the performance's appropriateness with the instructor if uncertain. Major musical productions may also be acceptable, provided they meet quality standards.

Understanding the orchestral setup is crucial. Since orchestras are often seated in the "pit" during operas and ballets, students should plan to observe the musicians during intermission if they cannot see them during the performance. This visual observation complements auditory experience, helping students appreciate the orchestra's coordination, instrumentation, and overall contribution to the performance.

Post-concert, the written report serves as an academic reflection. The requirement of 2-3 pages, with a minimum of 1,000 words, ensures depth of analysis. The report must systematically answer eight predetermined questions: listing and describing each piece and composer, giving a brief biography of each composer, situating each piece within its historical period, discussing the stylistic characteristics typical of that period, describing the orchestra's instrumentation and seating layout, reflecting on personal listening style, analyzing musical elements such as unity, variety, structure, purpose, form, tempo, volume, rhythm, melody, and harmony, and finally, expressing whether the student enjoyed the concert and why or why not.

Writing in one's own words, the student must demonstrate comprehension of musical concepts, critical listening, and personal reflection. The assignment's structure encourages organized, detailed, and analytical responses, fostering a comprehensive understanding of live classical music and its contextual significance.

References

  • Burkholder, J. P., Grout, D., & Palisca, C. V. (2019). A History of Western Music (10th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Hanning, B. (2015). Concise History of Western Music (5th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Taruskin, R. (2010). The Oxford History of Western Music. Oxford University Press.
  • Levine, L. (2012). Concert and Cultural Identity: The Social Meaning of Music in the Early 21st Century. Routledge.
  • Sartre, J.-P. (2011). The Philosophy of Existentialism. Literary Licensing, LLC.
  • Brown, D. (2016). Classical Music: The Listening Guide. Oxford University Press.
  • Kerman, J. (1980). Contemporary Music. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
  • Merrick, R. (2001). The Orchestra: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
  • Hutchinson, R. (2005). The Classical Revolution: The Rise of Symphonic Music. Cambridge University Press.
  • Randel, D. M. (1999). The Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Belknap Press.