Assignment: CONCERT REPORT INFORMATION
PROGRAM BOOKLET:
In the program the pieces and performers are listed along with information about the works and often about the composer's state of mind when he/she created it. If there is singing, often times the words are included (especially helpful if attending an opera in a foreign language, though you'd be surprised how easy much of the action is to follow regardless of translations.) I find it helpful to write notes directly on the program.
TRANSFORMING YOUR NOTES INTO A REPORT:
Expand your notes as soon as possible after the concert. You have one week after the concert to turn in your paper. Just as in an English class (but more fun) start with an outline and rough draft. Watch out for grammar and spelling of composers' names and their compositions.
CONTENT OF THE REPORT
THE CONTENT AS A WHOLE:
Begin with a brief description of the concert, including the name and type of the performing groups/soloists, place, date, time, and the music you heard.
If it was an "authentic" concert (Renaissance, Medieval, Baroque) were they using original instruments? The program or announcer will let you know.
What was your general reaction to the concert? Honesty is most important here, as your true reaction is the only thing that matters to me. Do you like every painting or song that you hear? I certainly do not enjoy everything I hear. Try focusing on the pieces you liked best and then on the pieces you did not care for as much. Put into words what it was about the pieces you did and did not like. ABOVE ALL make a strong attempt to LISTEN to everything. You will enjoy anything in life more when you make an attempt to understand it before passing judgment.
COMPOSITIONS:
MUSICAL STYLES: Could you relate to it based on what you know about the era? Think about what we have studied and how it relates to each piece.
MUSICAL FORMS: What was the genre (symphony, concerto, fugue..?) Could you follow the form? Could you hear a theme being varied in a Theme and Variations movement of a symphony? If you can't, don't worry. On occasion I can't either. However, the more you practice the easier it becomes.
EMOTIONS, IMAGES, IDEAS: What were your feelings considering when it was written. How do you thing it evoked moods, feelings, drama, etc?
MEMORABLE FEATURES: Did you prefer the fast parts, soft lyrical sections, or were there any striking melodies or unusual vocal, instrumental or electronic effects?
COMPARISONS: Remember that contrast is not only the heart of creativity, but amazingly it is also eye (ear?) opening when comparing one piece on a concert with another on the same program. Within one piece there may be strong contrasts, especially if the piece is in several movements.
PERFORMANCE:
EMOTIONAL PROJECTION: This area is more subjective. Did the performers project the mood well?
THE ELEMENTS:
DYNAMICS: Was there enough variety/contrast to satisfy you? Were any sections or pieces too loud or too soft?
TEMPO: Did the tempos feel right to you? Did any of the pieces seem too slow or too fast?
MELODIES: Was the balance between the melody and accompaniment good? Was the accompaniment too loud or the melody too soft?
TIMBRE: How about the balance of the sections (particularly with the symphony orchestras, or any group using a wide variety of instruments.)
CONDUCTOR: Did he/she seem to have control? Were the performers watching the conductor, or did they seem to ignore the conductor.
DISASTERS: Some days nothing goes right. Professionals are good at covering mistakes. Did you hear any "clunkers"? Did the soloists have a firm command of the music?
FORMAT OF PAPER
2-3 PAGE REPORT TYPED
CONCERT:
TYPE OF CONCERT:
GENERAL REACTION:
COMPOSITION I LIKED THE BEST:
PERFORMANCE OF THIS WORK:
COMPOSITION I LIKED THE LEAST:
PERFORMANCE OF THIS PIECE:
COMMENTS ON ANY OTHER PIECES PERFORMED:
OVERALL PERFORMANCE:
Attachment:- Assignments-Concert.rar