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Concert Review, 3/29/17
Concert Review: 3/29/17
Concert reviews require more than just listening to the performance.
Writing a music review on a concert requires going beyond the listening experience. You'll be more than a spectator as you document everything from the energy of the performers to the reaction of the class to the emotions that the show presented.
Things You'll Need
• A Concert
• Notebook and pens
Instructions
Record comprehensive notes before, during and even after the show. Capture in writing, moments during the concert that were particularly notable such as audience interaction or poignant statements by the performers. Items to consider while taking notes:
Using the approved concert list (see below), you’ll choose a concert to attend between the dates of 1/18-3/28. These concerts are considered extra-artistic and/or cultural. This element is a key feature, as I want to send you to a performance you might not be likely to attend otherwise. Find a concert on a day that works, at a place you feel comfortable attending and a price that works (almost all concerts are available under $15 if not entirely free–others are more, it’s up to you to decide).
When you attend the concert, you’ll take notes and type a review. This review is to be in paragraph format–not in a list. Staple the ticket or program (absolutely required for a passing grade) to the report and hand it in to me on the scheduled due date (3/29). Your review needs to be a 2-3 page typed document. When taking notes and writing your review about the concert, I want you to focus on the following points:
1) What was the environment like? How is this different than more “popular” concerts you might have attended? Why do you think the environment is like this? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Explain.
2) Describe your experience listening to the music included in this performance? Again, how is the musical experience different than what you are used to listening to (if at all)? Do you see this kind of event as some form of alternative musical entertainment than a more typical pop-type of concert? Explain.
3) What did the music specifically sound “like”? Describe as much as you can remember. What will you remember most about the music that was performed in a year from now? Explain.
4) How was your experience getting to the performance? Was anything different than what you are used to? Did you see any new places or confront any new experiences Explain.
Once you’ve done this, staple the ticket stub or program and you are set. This assignment is absolutely due on 3/29 – PERIOD. If I can give you any advice on this project–don’t wait until the last minute! Late submissions will not be accepted.
Approved Concert List
Any concerts you wish to attend that are not on the list need prior approval.
No exceptions. Concerts/performances that are not approved are on the list below:
Concert reviews require more than just listening to the performance.
Writing a music review on a concert requires going beyond the listening experience. You'll be more than a spectator as you document everything from the energy of the performers to the reaction of the class to the emotions that the show presented.
Things You'll Need
• A Concert
• Notebook and pens
Instructions
- A review should tell a story
- A review should be written in simple, everyday language
Record comprehensive notes before, during and even after the show. Capture in writing, moments during the concert that were particularly notable such as audience interaction or poignant statements by the performers. Items to consider while taking notes:
Using the approved concert list (see below), you’ll choose a concert to attend between the dates of 1/18-3/28. These concerts are considered extra-artistic and/or cultural. This element is a key feature, as I want to send you to a performance you might not be likely to attend otherwise. Find a concert on a day that works, at a place you feel comfortable attending and a price that works (almost all concerts are available under $15 if not entirely free–others are more, it’s up to you to decide).
When you attend the concert, you’ll take notes and type a review. This review is to be in paragraph format–not in a list. Staple the ticket or program (absolutely required for a passing grade) to the report and hand it in to me on the scheduled due date (3/29). Your review needs to be a 2-3 page typed document. When taking notes and writing your review about the concert, I want you to focus on the following points:
1) What was the environment like? How is this different than more “popular” concerts you might have attended? Why do you think the environment is like this? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Explain.
2) Describe your experience listening to the music included in this performance? Again, how is the musical experience different than what you are used to listening to (if at all)? Do you see this kind of event as some form of alternative musical entertainment than a more typical pop-type of concert? Explain.
3) What did the music specifically sound “like”? Describe as much as you can remember. What will you remember most about the music that was performed in a year from now? Explain.
4) How was your experience getting to the performance? Was anything different than what you are used to? Did you see any new places or confront any new experiences Explain.
Once you’ve done this, staple the ticket stub or program and you are set. This assignment is absolutely due on 3/29 – PERIOD. If I can give you any advice on this project–don’t wait until the last minute! Late submissions will not be accepted.
Approved Concert List
- All Philadelphia Orchestra performances (or other subsequent Kimmel Center concerts)
- All Philadelphia Chamber Music Society Concerts
- Opera Company of Philadelphia–Tancredi @ The Academy of Music (Philadelphia) 2/10-2/19
- All Curtis Institute Performances (most are free)
- Academy of Vocal Arts
- Pennsylvania Ballet– Le Corsaire @ The Academy of Music (Philadelphia) 3/9-3/19
- All Symphony in C concerts: Click here for concert and ticket information
- APPROVED EVENTS ONLY Temple Performing Arts Center performances
- All recitals in the Mallery Concert Series (Rutgers Camden)
- APPROVED EVENTS ONLY at Chris’ Jazz Cafe (Philadelphia)
- All Norman David & The Eleventet performances (I play in the band...you should all check this out anyway)
Any concerts you wish to attend that are not on the list need prior approval.
No exceptions. Concerts/performances that are not approved are on the list below:
- Musicals: high school shows, amateur theater productions, community theater/playhouses–Broadway/off-Broadway shows are permitted)
- Alternative/rock shows
- Singer songwriter shows
- Anything at a dance club
- Club "The Music Is Too Loud" feat. DJ "Who Cares"
- Popular music concerts/festivals
- Hip-hop/R&B concerts
- CD release/networking parties...at Club "Who Cares"...with the same lousy DJ
Album Review, 4/26/17
(or 5/1 with a built in extension)
Select an album from the list below. You are required to acquire all of the songs included on your album of choice. You can either purchase them on iTunes (easiest way), get a password for Spotify, OR piece the album together via YouTube (which would be more time consuming). It doesn't matter how you get them, just know that it's your responsibility to hear/dissect all of the original tracks from the original album in the order they were intended. The tracks need to be exactly those from the original album. Your assignment is to write an album review.
This list contains albums that I consider musically valuable and in my opinion, require a keener ear and a more patient critic–your job is to demonstrate that you can be that person. In many cases, you'll have to move far away from what you are used to listening to and jump into a musical environment that will test your openness and musical maturity.
Album Critique List of Options
ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS
What questions need to be asked and answered in an album review? When an album is considered musical and/or culturally significant, how might we actually prove or disprove this? Your review should describe to the reader the context of the album, some vital background information, any relevant musical/philosophical influences involved. Above everything, your review needs to describe what the reader can expect from the music and lyrics (where applicable) on the album. The end result is to objectively arrive at a place where you can speak your mind and feelings. Your job, is to say what the music is and what it isn’t.
It's not your goal to discuss every track in great detail, just point out the artistic/musical/lyrical/social/cultural highs, lows and in betweens. Choose approximately 3 tracks on the album to discuss in great detail- to analyze. In the detailed discussion, consider the following: form, instruments, texture, lyrical analysis (where applicable), general creativity, influences, songs that may have been sampled or arranged, etc. Discuss the remaining tracks in a broader sense, in less detail. This paper isn’t a biography–while biographical information is important and should be included, it’s ultimately about the music.
Your review needs to be 3-4 pages (double spaced) in 12 point Times New Roman font with 1" margin (NO LONGER). All biographical and general factual information used requires citation. Citations must be in-text, footnotes or endnotes. General “works cited pages” are not required, as they are listed on the back with no reference to which sentences contain cited information–in other words, they’re useless. If you don’t know how to use footnotes or endnotes, I suggest you google search it and learn how to incorporate them into this paper–this skill will serve you well at other colleges, learn it now. Papers with no citation will loose points. Papers that are plagiarized (this includes paraphrasing) will fail, no exceptions or questions asked. It is impossible to successfully complete this assignment without citations–nothing can be hearsay (ex. “I know a lot about ________, I’ve listened to them forever!!”).
Utilize the four points listed below in writing your review.
This list contains albums that I consider musically valuable and in my opinion, require a keener ear and a more patient critic–your job is to demonstrate that you can be that person. In many cases, you'll have to move far away from what you are used to listening to and jump into a musical environment that will test your openness and musical maturity.
Album Critique List of Options
- Gretchen Parlato- In a Dream
- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong- Ella & Louis
- Miles Davis- Kind of Blue
- John Coltrane- Blue Train
- Esperanza Spalding- Chamber Music Society
- Dave Matthews Band- Under The Table & Dreaming
- Metallica- Master of Puppets
- D’Angelo & The Vanguard- Black Messiah
- Justin Timberlake- The 20/20 Experience
- The RH Factor- Distractions
- The RH Factor- Hard Groove
- Youngblood Brass Band- Center: Level: Roar
- Youngblood Brass Band- Pax Volumi
- Jay-Z- The Blueprint 3
- Panic! At The Disco- A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
- Radiohead- In Rainbows
- The Mars Volta- Octehedron
- Outkast- Stankonia
- Aphex Twin- Selected Ambient Works 85-92
- Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More
- The Roots- The Tipping Point
- The Beatles- Revolver
- Michael Jackson- Thriller
- Buena Vista Social Club- Buena Vista Social Club
- David Bowie- Blackstar
- Kanye West- Graduation
- R Kelly- Write Me Back
- Jamiroquai- Traveling Without Moving
- The Brand New Heavies- Brother Sister
- Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp A Butterfly
ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS
What questions need to be asked and answered in an album review? When an album is considered musical and/or culturally significant, how might we actually prove or disprove this? Your review should describe to the reader the context of the album, some vital background information, any relevant musical/philosophical influences involved. Above everything, your review needs to describe what the reader can expect from the music and lyrics (where applicable) on the album. The end result is to objectively arrive at a place where you can speak your mind and feelings. Your job, is to say what the music is and what it isn’t.
It's not your goal to discuss every track in great detail, just point out the artistic/musical/lyrical/social/cultural highs, lows and in betweens. Choose approximately 3 tracks on the album to discuss in great detail- to analyze. In the detailed discussion, consider the following: form, instruments, texture, lyrical analysis (where applicable), general creativity, influences, songs that may have been sampled or arranged, etc. Discuss the remaining tracks in a broader sense, in less detail. This paper isn’t a biography–while biographical information is important and should be included, it’s ultimately about the music.
Your review needs to be 3-4 pages (double spaced) in 12 point Times New Roman font with 1" margin (NO LONGER). All biographical and general factual information used requires citation. Citations must be in-text, footnotes or endnotes. General “works cited pages” are not required, as they are listed on the back with no reference to which sentences contain cited information–in other words, they’re useless. If you don’t know how to use footnotes or endnotes, I suggest you google search it and learn how to incorporate them into this paper–this skill will serve you well at other colleges, learn it now. Papers with no citation will loose points. Papers that are plagiarized (this includes paraphrasing) will fail, no exceptions or questions asked. It is impossible to successfully complete this assignment without citations–nothing can be hearsay (ex. “I know a lot about ________, I’ve listened to them forever!!”).
Utilize the four points listed below in writing your review.
- Start with the music and lyrics (where applicable) on their own terms. Measure levels of craftsmanship, creativity, thoughtfulness, and originality within the composed and performed sounds and words as you hear, and analyze them. In an album review, all tracks of the album do not have to be (and probably should not be) mentioned in detail. You should discuss several tracks in great detail (3), and others in less. Obviously, given the nature of this course, I’ll expect your analysis to be more in depth than what you might find on a traditional reviewing website.
- How does the music and words (where applicable) compare to other music within this genre (and other genres) from the same time period? Some times albums are important because they are part of a zeitgeist (a cultural movement/energy) and, on the contrary, because nothing of great value has surfaced from that specific time period.
- Who are the musicians creating and performing this music? How did they arrive at this stage? What was the process like that specifically resulted in this album (i.e. the writing and recording of the album). Do they cite other artists and genres that were pivotal in inspiring to this moment? Who were their influences? More importantly, can you hear the sounds of other artists and genres seemingly resonating in the music? (These kinds of suggestions are tremendously helpful to readers to give them a better sense of how something might sound.)
- What is the social context of the album? This is more important when reviewing an album from a previous decade, but is still applicable when reviewing current albums. It's important to understand the issues the artists might be writing about or inspired by. Also, it's important to understand the world of listeners that the artists intended to spring the music upon.
