1. San Ildefonso Indians of New Mexico Regarding San Ildefonso Indians of New Mexico's Eagle Dance: Since this piece is not performed in a specific language, the music transcends the language barrier and allows listeners to enjoy this piece in the same way. How did this piece make you feel? Do you think that it represented the qualities of the Eagle that it was meant to represent? Why or why not?
2. Regarding Mbuti Pygmies' "Marriage Celebration Song": Despite the fact that music tends to change and evolve when being passed orally, do you think that it's an effective way of preserving music? Have you ever learned music from an oral tradition?
3. Regarding Master Musicians of the Ikuta-Ryu's Cherry Blossom: Did you like this piece? Why or why not? Do you think that this piece tells the story that it means to tell?
4. Regarding Ludwig von Beethoven's Symphony no. 5 in C Minor, op. 67, first movement: Do you think that this work was meant to tell a story, and if so, what would be the overall plot?
5. Can you think of any instances of modern nationalist music? Has music like a college fight song, a Christmas carol, or a protest song ever affected you in a non-musical way?
6. Every major change in music begins as a reaction against the music that came before. Given the sharp contrast between Claude Debussy's Voiles and the German Romantic mbusic of the 19th century, against what do you think that Debussy was rebelling?
7. West Side Story, despite being a Broadway musical, has a lot in common with opera. Do you hear any similarities? Do your ears hear this piece more as a musical or more as an opera?