600 words essay about a music concert
Concert Report Instructions
Why?
1. It proves you attended the concert. It should go without saying that attending the entire concert (no leaving
at intermission) is mandatory. Failing to do so will result in a failing grade for the whole assignment
(proposal and report) .
2. The report allows you to reflect on the experience and gives you an opportunity to apply class vocabulary .
Due: Within 1 week (7 days) of the date of your concert .
Submission: Blackboard only. No emails. Click on “Assignments” and “Concert Report.”
Submissions are to be in .doc or .pdf formats only
Length: Cover page plus minimum of 2 full double -spaced page s of text and a separate works consulted page.
Minimum of 4 pages total. No extra -large fonts , spacing, or wide margins.
Sources: 3 or more sources are required . At least 2 of these must be a scholarly source . Scholarly sources are
dictionaries and encyclopedias, any article found on JSTOR, or any book in the library. My definition of a
scholarly source for the purposes of this assignment is narrow, and only these 3 types count. Make
sure yours fit s the requirement!
Any additional sources may be of your own choosing and might include Wikipedia, newspaper articles,
concert reviews , concert programs, or any relevant website .
Accessing Oxford Music Online :
Go to http://guides.temple.edu/c.php?g=77739 1. click on the “beginning your research” tab 2. click on
“Oxford Music Online” 3. enter your search term(s ). If you need help, ask a librarian .
Accessing JSTOR:
Go to http://guides.temple.edu/c.php?g=77739 1. click on the “databases” tab 2. scroll down and click on
“JSTOR” 3. enter search terms to find articles. If you need help, ask a librarian .
Accessing books:
Go to the library.
Want an A? Include the following :
1. Cover Page : WHO played, WHAT they played, WHEN, and WHERE. Do not list individual orchestra
members, but do list the conductor and any featured soloists. No specific formatting is required. This
page allows me to quickly confirm that you attended the concert you selected in your proposal.
2. Research ed content : In your proposal you wrote about your composer and listened to their piece . Now
you’ ve heard it live. This time, write about the piece itself. What kind of piece is it (i.e. its genre) ? Does
it fit the expectations for its genre (e.g. number and kind of movements, length etc.) ? If you dare, you
may also wr ite about things such as timbre, texture, form, melody, and harmony. This can be difficult
with large pieces because they often feature multiple timbres, textures, and keys. You may also write
about the musical characteristics of the era (and how your piec e reflects or rejects them ), the his torical
context ( what was happening in the world – is the work influenced by these things?), or any other
technical or critical aspects that you can think of or to which your research leads you.
Use your scholarly sourc es to locate published writing about your piece . Good sources will provide you
with content ! Using class vocabulary is a bonus.
This section is usually around 25% of the total text, but you may make it longer if analysis is your
strength . I’m giving you a ballpark estimate , not setting a length requirement. 3. Personal impressions and overall experience : Tell me about your personal reaction to the concert, the
venue, the performance, and the event as a whole. This section can and should be highly subjective.
What did you like or dislike? Why? Describe the experience, the audience and their reactions, and
whatever else you wish . It is not required that you loved the experience. Be honest and thoughtful.
4. Classi cal music today : Based on your own impressions , and conversations you may have chosen to
have with another audience member (see the Report Prep Guide ), include a statement about the
relevance of this genre of music in our culture today and/or if it has any significance. Why do concerts
like this exist? With all the music and technology in the world today, are live concerts of this type and
featuring this music still supported, necessary, and valued? Again, this is freely subjective. You do not
need to be in love with what you heard, but be more thoughtful than “I hated it” or “I l iked it.”
5. Program : What did you learn from the program that you did not know before? Did the information in
the program help you to better enjoy/understand any aspect of the concert? You need to read the
program to do this section!
Note: If you are attending a concert that uses the LiveNote app , then that is your program.
6. Picture: Take a selfie in the hall and include it on the last page of your paper. No, this does not count
towards the overall length requirement. This is best done after the concert. DO NOT take pictures while
the musicians are playing.
7. Works Consulted : Cite all of your sources properly , both in -text and in your works consulted ,
according to the dictates of your preferred citation method. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. When in doubt,
cite.
Grading: Grammar and syntax count for more than they did for the Concert Proposal . This should be your best
scholarly writing . If you struggle to write proper English, then please get help either from a friend or from the
writing center. Your grade depends on it.
Rubric : Your paper will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Aish – highly effective, all sections present. Good use of vocabulary , visible attempts to draw connections and
show insight. Sources properly cited. Superior grammar, spelling, syntax.
Bish – competent, some incomplete or weak sections. Missed opportunities to include musical vocabulary but
attempt at insight. Clear pros e, mostly correct grammar and syntax.
Cish – adequate, passable completion of sections but lacking insight. Sources not properly documented,
vocabulary missing. Poor writing style but the author’s main ideas are coherent.
Dish – insufficient. Inadequate presentation. Lack of insightful analysis and missing sections. Factual
inaccuracies/improper citations. Poor writing style and grammatical errors.
F – unacceptable. Very weak or nonexistent sections. Failure to complete requirements or show significa nt effort.
Sources are undocumented and/or plagiarized. Severe writing deficiencies.
NOTE: Five points per day will be deducted for late work. You know your due date. Plan ahead.
Don’t forget to r ead the Concert Etiquette
and Report Prep Guide before you go to your concert !