Assignment Prompt: Identify an historically significant action that was made by someone (an individual artist and/or group) in Twentieth-Century American Popular Music. Describe its genre and place it in the historical context.
Objectives:
The student is expected to listen and respond critically to music and to articulate an informed, personal reaction in a coherent and engaging manner. You must demonstrate an awareness of the subject matter. You must also include a discussion that informs the reader of the historical and social context in which the music originally fit and how it is relevant now
Please research about the ensemble, artist, music, etc. of what you are writing about. Include in your essay, sentences or a paragraph on what you have researched and list your sources in the essay. Please include a minimum of two sources. YOU CAN NOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A REFERENCE The likely length of music should range from 3–11 minutes
Your discussion of the music is the most important part of this paper. If you plagiarize, copy or cheat in any way you will receive an F/0 as your grade on this assignment and your name will be submitted to the Dean of Students Office for the alleged violation of the Collin College Student Code of Conduct. See the syllabus for consequences regarding being found responsible for violating the Scholastic Dishonesty Policy as stated in the Collin College Student Code of Conduct
Assignment Mechanics:
Your ability to write about the music
Proof-read your work (spell-check)
Make sure each sentence and paragraph make sense
Your ability to communicate
Clarity and quality of thought
Your ideas should be well developed
Pay attention to the details so that your critique is based on good thought, strong argument and evidence
Assignment Organization:
Title should capture your primary impression of the music you are discussing
Post the audio/video of the artists and their performance as the URL link. Place it in the second line of the title
Ability to follow the guidelines set up for this paper including length, font, margins, etc.
Please avoid vague, space-filled comments such as “it was really nice,” or “the performers wore black and looked happy”
Format Rules:
Use
File Types:
doc, docx, and pdf
Use “Times New Roman” with a font size of 12.
Double spaced.
Place your name, MUSI 1310 (add your section number) and date in upper right corner.
Center the venue (URL), the performer, the composer, and the name of piece you’re discussing. Use BOLD. If at a classical concert more than one composition will be performed, pick one to analyze and discuss.
MUST be 750 to 1000 word count.
Citations–when you are writing for academic use you must cite other people’s work. If you use the exact words from someone else’s work, use the quotation marks, and also list that person/author in your footnote. You must cite 2 sources in your writing. You MUST use “footnotes” not parenthetical style citations. I would like you to use the “Chicago” style. Chicago style requires a superscript number and a footnote. Footnotes are easy to produce in Microsoft Word. Just position your cursor to the end of the quote, go to “References” and “Insert Footnote.” Then you’ll be able to insert the information. Footnotes should be “Times New Roman” font of 10. Search Collin College’s library for Kate Turabian: “A Manual for Writers” or “Cite Right” for exact citation format or go online to If online, choose the “N” format. The “N” means “Note or Footnote.”
Rubric
Concert Essay
Concert Essay
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTitle, Introduction and Topic Presentation. Content overview within the historical and cultural events.
Personal Conclusion and Reflective Response
20 to >18.0 pts
Proficient
Correct topic presentation; substantial insight.
18 to >15.0 pts
Satisfactory
Addresses the topic and provides information. Average insight.
15 to >11.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Generally competent but displays information that is not focused. Gives either average and/or less adequate information.
11 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
The content does not address the assigned material. Incorrect use and support of chosen subject.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent: Genre Identification
Definition and Description
15 to >13.0 pts
Proficient
Clear genre identification and description. Places the content in a historical context. Abundant information with penetrating review.
13 to >10.0 pts
Satisfactory
The genre is identified and described. Adequately but not extensively places the content in a historical context. Provides average information, thought and insight.
10 to >6.0 pts
Needs Improvement
The genre is identified vaguely and its description is thin. The content is superficially placed in a historical context . Provides little information, thought and insight.
6 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
The genre is not identified and its description is incorrect. The content is lacking on substance.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMusical Analysis
Specific Examples of Songs and Artists. Discussion of Texture, Melody, Lyrics, Form, Harmony and Rhythm, Tempo, and Timbre
20 to >18.0 pts
Proficient
Correct and substantial use of musical analysis supported by examples. Identifies musical elements and uses musical terminology adequately.
18 to >15.0 pts
Satisfactory
Substantial use of musical analysis supported by examples. Identifies musical elements and uses musical terminology adequately.
15 to >11.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Approaching competency of musical analysis supported by a few examples examples. Identifies a few musical elements and uses musical terminology sporadically.
11 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Rudimentary content and no supporting evidence.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCreativity and Communication
Reach content and thoughts thoroughly manifested
20 to >18.0 pts
Proficient
The content is rich and well thought out. Includes novel insights. Understanding of the subject is well manifested.
18 to >15.0 pts
Satisfactory
Substantial and thoughtful content. Proper understanding of the subject.
15 to >11.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Approaching competency; content is thin and presented with little insight.
11 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Poor content presented randomly.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics
Title in bold, Name, Course/Section, Date Placement. Essay organization. Using Footnotes as instructed
15 to >13.0 pts
Proficient
Follows all instructions: answers all aspects of the prompt, word count, format and uses citations as instructed.
13 to >10.0 pts
Satisfactory
Follows 75% of the instructions: answers the prompt adequately, correct word count, format and uses citations as instructed.
10 to >6.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Follows 50% of the instructions: answers most of the prompt elements, correct word count, format and uses citations as instructed.
6 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Follows 25% of the instructions: somewhat answers the prompt, word count, format and uses citations as instructed.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStylistics
10 to >8.0 pts
Proficient
No mistakes.
8 to >6.0 pts
Satisfactory
Few grammatical or stylistic errors.
6 to >4.0 pts
Needs Improvement
Errors obstruct the content
4 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Obvious and multiple errors
10 pts
Total Points: 100
