Concert Reviews

Guidelines for Writing Concert Reviews MUS 119 Taking Notes When you attend a concert or performance it is a good idea to take notes about the music you hear (but be sure to do so quietly so you don’t disturb the audience around you). This will allow you to make reference to specific aspects of the music that you might otherwise forget. As though you were taking notes in class, try to be clear with your ideas so you can use them later to compose a complete review. You should also plan on listening to each of the compositions both before and after the concert. What to Include in Your Review Introductory material must include the following: Your name: _______________________ Course and section no.: Your instructor’s name: In the text of the paper, you must indicate: (a) the name of the performing group, and (b) the date, time and location of the performance. Instruments featured in the performance: For Symphony orchestra just indicate “orchestra” For Wind Ensemble indicate “wind ensemble” For Jazz Ensemble indicate “big band” (10-20 players) or “combo” (2-8 players) For Chamber music indicate which type: String quartet (2 violins, viola, cello) Piano trio (violin, cello, piano) Brass quintet (2 trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba) For solo recital indicate solo instrument and accompaniment (i.e. solo violin and piano) For an unusual combination, list each instrument. Individual Compositions It is best to list several individual works and describe them in detail. Remember, most Classical music is divided into separate sections called movements which are usually distinguished by tempo or title (i.e. I. Allegro II. Andante III. Allegro non tropo). The program will indicate the titles of a work’s movements. The Following Points Should be Included: Memorable features: Did you notice anything about the tempo, rhythm, melody, texture, harmony? Was the tempo fast, slow, moderate, or did the tempo change. Was the melody lyrical or triumphant (or suggest any other mood)? Was the melody conjunct (smooth or mostly stepwise) or disjunct (choppy with wide melodic skips)? Would you describe the melody as a “theme” (longer) or a “motive” (short, perhaps just a few notes)? Was the texture monophonic, polyphonic or homophonic? Was the harmony pleasing or dissonant, or some of both? Did you hear any noticeable dynamic changes, such as forte to piano or vice versa? Most importantly, what effects did these features have on your experience of the music? Program music or absolute music: If the piece is Classical in nature it will likely fall into one of these categories. If the piece is written only for instruments (no voices) and is based on some literary work like a story or poem, or something non-musical like a painting or a scene from nature (tree, river or mountain), it would be considered program music, and you should explain how you think the composer is using music to communicate a non-musical idea or picture. If the piece has no non-musical reference it is considered absolute music. Jazz and Pop music normally do not fall into one of these categories. Jazz or Pop music should be described by historical perspective and style. In other words for jazz, is it New Orleans Dixieland, Swing, Bebop, Cool, or Fusion? For Pop music, is it Rhythm and Blues, Punk, Soul, Funk, Disco, Hip-Hop, etc. Optional Material to Include: Musical styles: In which historical period was each piece composed (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth Century)? If you can, explain what musical characteristics are consistent with (or different than) other music composed during the same time period. Musical forms: How is the music organized (do motives, melodies, themes, or even entire sections of the music recur)? Is the form binary, ternary, a fugue, sonata form, theme and variations (or other)? Writing Your Review When writing your review, use good grammar, spelling and syntax. Be sure that your ideas are stated clearly. Use the same procedure you would for any English composition class. Try to apply terms used in class or in your text, but remember you do not need to define the terms in your paper. You can assume the instructor knows how the terms are defined. Try to use terms in the proper context. If you are uncertain as to a definition, refer to your text or ask your instructor. Papers should be typed and commensurate with all written work expected of students on the college level. Your concert reviews should be approximately two pages in length (Typed, Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font). Make an effort to use a more journalistic style of writing. For ideas on how to write your reviews, read the Arts section of the New York Times (available online at: http://www.nytimes.com). Also, look for reviews of concerts written in other newspapers or magazines to get some ideas. Have fun with the assignment. Basically, your review should describe the music so the reader will feel as though he or she attended the concert. Concert Etiquette For more formal concerts such as those by an orchestra, wind ensemble, chorus or chamber music group, there are certain guidelines to follow. These performances are generally more subdued and certain behavior is expected. If you observe these guidelines you will have a more enjoyable experience. Remember, the performers have worked very hard to attain a high level of skill in order to present the music as it was intended. Please be on time to the concert. It’s best to arrive early, but if you can’t, make sure to enter the auditorium quietly between musical compositions. Usually, you will not be allowed into the auditorium until the applause begins between individual pieces. Arriving early also allows you the opportunity to read the program and learn something about the music before the performance begins. If you must leave a performance early, you must wait until there is a break in the music, usually between pieces (during the applause). You are expected to sit quietly while the music is playing: no talking, eating, shuffling paper, etc. You will be expected to turn off any cell phones or pagers before the concert. No food or drink will be allowed in the auditorium. You will be asked not to take any flash photos of the performers. It is a distraction to the performers and to the other audience members. Also, use of recording devices is not allowed due to copyright restrictions. Remember that some pieces are divided into separate sections called movements. The audience traditionally will applaud after the final movement of a work, not in between. Attire for these concerts is usually formal, though this is not a requirement. Whatever attire you wear, dress respectfully. These guidelines are intended to help the listener show respect for the performers and the music. You are there to witness a musical event. These suggestions are intended to make you more comfortable. Of course, popular styles such as rock or jazz have less stringent etiquette, but you should still show respect for the performers and for your fellow audience members. At a Jazz concert it is appropriate to applaud in the middle of a piece if you hear an “improvised” solo that you like.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

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