Unacceptable Concert Venues for this Assignment:
This exercise is designed to expand your experiences with music in the real world. For Concert Review #1, you will need to attend a LIVE CONCERT of classical or jazz music performed by college level or professional musicians and write a review (500 word essay) of the LIVE concert
This Concert Review should be five-hundred (500) words typed, and then digitally submitted using the “Assignments” tool. Instructions on how to submit this assignment are located below.
Please note the Unacceptable concert venues and list of Acceptable Concert Venues listed below prior to starting this assignment:
Unacceptable Concert Venues for this Assignment:
- rock
- hip-hop
- reggae
- DJ
- recorded
- electronic
- country western
- other popular styles or “Festivals” of almost any type (Blues, Mardis Gras, etc…).
**Helpful Hint: If the live concert is electronically amplified, it’s probably unacceptable.**
See the “Web Links” listed below for approved concert ideas
Acceptable Concert Venues for this Assignment
Web Links for APPROVED Concerts which MUST include LIVE music:
- The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
- (Links to an external site.)
- Links to an external site.
- The Bach Festival Organization
- (Links to an external site.)
- Links to an external site.
- Luke’s Cathedral
- (Links to an external site.)
- Links to an external site.
- (Downtown Orlando: FREE lunchtime performances)
- The Brass Band of Central Florida
- (Links to an external site.)
- Links to an external site.
- Valencia Music Department Performances (Select the “MUSIC” Tab.)
- of Central Florida Performances
- (Links to an external site.)
- Links to an external site.
- (Filter by “Performances” then “Music”.)
- Rollins College Music Dept. Performances
- (Links to an external site.)
- Links to an external site.
Step #2: Compose your Concert Review
Using the guidelines below, I hope you will construct an essay that would make your English teacher proud,
complete with an introductory paragraph, body, and concluding paragraph.
What do I write? (Refer also to the Grading Rubric later in this document.)
Introductory Paragraph:
Your introductory paragraph should include this information:
- A brief description of the event (type of music, type of ensemble, date, time, location, purpose, etc.).
In the opening sentences, or even in the title, you might summarize the general experience. Avoid naming
all of the titles of compositions in this paragraph. When describing the Instruments or voices featured in the performance, please consider these:- For Symphony orchestra just indicate “orchestra” (Don’t list all of the instruments)
- For Wind Ensemble indicate “wind ensemble” (Don’t list all of the instruments)
- For Jazz Ensemble indicate “big band” (10-20 players) or “combo” (2-8 players)
- For Chamber music indicate which type, i.e.
- String quartet (2 violins, viola, cello)
- Piano trio (violin, cello, piano)
- Brass quintet (2 trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba)
- For unusual combinations just list all the instruments you can remember
- For solo recital indicate solo instrument and accompaniment, i.e.
solo violin and piano, or solo piano.
Body Paragraphs
The body of the review should address the following:
- Which genres, or types, of music were performed? (symphonic music, chamber music, vocal music, opera, etc.)
- What historical eras were represented on the program? (pre-1600, Baroque, Classical, Romantic,20th Century)
- If program notes were provided, did you read them? Were they helpful?
- Did the program notes indicate that the music imitated or hinted at non-musical ideas (birds,volcanoes, natural sounds, B52 bombers, etc)? If so, could you hear this in the music?
- Which selection intrigued you the most? Explain what it was about the music that intrigued you.
- If there was a selection that you did not enjoy, why didn’t you enjoy it?
It’s 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 ma non troppo
In describing the music, please consider the following:
- Melody (ex. range, smooth scale-like motions, lots of leaps)
- Rhythm/meter (ex. duple, triple, quadruple, complex rhythmic patterns)
- Harmony (ex. consonant, dissonant)
- Texture (ex. monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, combination of all three)
- Tempo (ex. fast, slow, walking pace)
- Dynamics (ex. loud, grew louder, became deafening)
- Instruments (ex. which instruments were featured; which voice ranges)
- Mood (ex. joyful, sad, etc.)
- Other (ex. anything you can think of)
Conclusion Paragraph
In your conclusion, address the following questions:
- What about the experience was new or different for you?
- What impressed you about this live music experience and why?
- What was your opinion about the performer’s presentation of the music?
- What was your overall reaction to the concert?