Has anyone been to a western classical music concert in LOS ANGELES within the last month or so?

Music 21:

Concert Report

#

1 and 2

Attend a live (no podcasts, etc)

western

classical

music

performance and write a typed report. Make

sure to review all instructions

prior to attending a

performance.

Concert

Guidelines:

1.

The le

vel of the performance mus

t be c

ollege

–

age performers or

professional

—

no middle/high

school/etc. performances

.

2.

The performance must be of western art music, similar to

the genres

discussed in

text chapters

assigned in the

syllabus

—

orchestra, chamber

music

, solo

instrumental perform

ances

, opera,

choir,

ballet, musicals,

etc. If you have doubts about a concert qualifying as “western art”

music, e

–

mail me

before

attending

.

3.

You must attend the entire performance

–

no late arrivals or early departures.

Report:

•

2

–

3

pages, typed, double

–

s

paced

on 8.5 x 11 paper with one

–

inch margins

•

Attach

the c

oncert program with your report

.

•

Do NOT copy the program notes. You may use outside references with proper citation (MLA

or APA is fine. Check PCC Library’s website for help:

http://www.pasadena.edu/library/citing.cfm

).

Your

report

is

YOUR

observations of the concert. It will

address

these 4 categories

:

1.

Performance setting:

Give the d

ate, place,

and name(s) of groups performing. B

riefly

d

escribe the performance setting

–

for example, you might include

your observations on

the

ambiance of the performance space,

performers’ attire

dress, audience’s attire

, etc.

and how it

affected your concert

–

going experience.

2.

Type(s) of music:

Which type

s/genres of music were performed (symphony, opera, concerto,

etc). Which historical eras were represented on the program? What were the performing forces

needed to perform the works? Were concert programs wi

th notes provided? Did you read or

research

about

the works before or after the performance? If so, in which source(s)?

3.

Choose two movements

or short pieces

from the program and

contrast/compare

these works

with references to specific musical elements. You must choose two separate movements or

pieces. Y

our essay may

include, but is not limited to,

a discussion about the

melody, key and

scale

mode, rhythm, form

, harmony, texture,

text,

etc.

I want you to use your ears and listen

for the basic elements discussed in class and apply them to the pieces of you

r concert. Try to

highlight what really “stuck out” to you about the music in this section.

4.

Evaluate your

co

ncert going experience.

W

hat did you enjoy about the music, what would

have improved your experience, how did the performance fit or foil your expe

ctations?

Were

there any aspects of the performance that were unfamiliar

or surprising

to you? I

f so, what?

For Concert Report #1

–

tell me what type of concert you might consider for your second

concert report.

Grading

These are the three

criteria I consid

er when grading

this assignment

:

1.

Proper use of terminology, quality of answers to the questions/guidelines above

2.

Individuality of thought, personal observations and insights

3.

Spelling, grammar, proper formatting and citations,

and

general coherenc

e

The r

ep

ort

s are

due

on the dates listed on your syllabus.

You wil

l turn it in via Canvas’s “Turnit

i

n”

.

The greater Los Angeles area hosts a plethora of concert opportunities, many of which are free or

offer discounted student rush opportunities. Here are a few

ideas to get started:

LA Philharmonic

Los Angeles Opera

Pasadena Symphony Orchestra

Southwest Chamber Music

Jacaranda Chamber Music

Muse/ique

Arcadia Public Library

Pasadena Presbyterian Church (Wednesdays at

Noon series)

Neighborhood Church’s Pro

–

Mus

ica

Lake Avenue Church Thursdays at Noon

LACMA Sundays Live

Colburn School and USC Thornton Concerts

PCC Campus performances

Here are

online

resources for finding

local

concerts:

Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter:

http://www.sundayslive.org/newsletter.cfm

Performing Arts Live Calendar:

http://www.performingartslive.com/

A few helpful hints:

1.

Take a pad of paper and jot down a few notes in between

pieces to help jog your memory

when you write your paper later. However, do not write during the performance

—

it will

distract others, even possibly the performers!

2.

Plan ahead! Keep an eye out for an event that really interests you

—

writing about something

you find interesting will be much easier.

3.

Be open to trying something new, but also consider researching the program to make sure it is

something you won’t actively dislike. Find other performances of the program online or at the

library (Youtube, Spotify)

so you know what you will be seeing and hearing ahead of time.

Concert

–

going etiquette

Proper concert etiquette shows respect and common courtesy for the performers and your fellow

concert

–

goers. Remember to always use your best

judgment

, but here are a

few common rules of

etiquette:

•

If you must leave for an emergency or have arrived late, enter only when an usher

indicates it

is ok to do so. I

f there are no ushers, only

enter

during applause in between selections.

•

Don’t talk during a performance.

•

Cell

phones and other noise making d

evices must be off

!

•

Never

text

or call someone during a concert.

If you would like to video or take pictures, ask

the performers or concert organizer ahead of time. Never use a device that makes noise or has

a flash.

•

If your

performance venue allows you to eat in the auditorium, do not unwrap candy or slurp

soda while the musicians are playing

. Otherwis

e, no food or drink should ever

be brought to a

concert. The one exception is if you have a cough

—

have cough drops unwrapped

and ready to

SILENTLY abate coughing.

•

Some classical pieces of music are broken down into parts called “movements.” In between

these movements the music will stop for a few seconds.

Usually, the audience does not

applaud until the conductor

or performers

h

as dropped his hands and has turned around

or

risen

to acknowledge the audience

.