Unit 7 – Role of the Performer

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify a performer or group who primarily interprets compositions created by other people. CLO#6
2. Summarize the performer’s biography.
3. Identify and present 2 musical performances given by the performer. CLO#14
4. Define basic information for the two musical compositions in the selected performances. #6  
5. Analyze several musical elements related to the performer’s skills. CLO#5, CLO#3
6. Express an aesthetic reaction related to the musical elements presented in the analysis. CLO#8, CLO#5
7. Propose a theory which answers this question: Why do we need performers to interpret compositions written by others? CLO# 10, CLO#8, CLO#7, CLO#12
8. Present research with appropriate citations in MLA format. CLO# 16
9. Express an opinion on the theories presented by other students. CLO#15
10. Describe their own opinion on the works and musical analysis presented by other students. CLO# 15, CLO#12
11. Propose other musical elements, research, or musical selections that could be examined in response to the theory and/or analysis of musical elements presented by other students. CLO#13, CLO#15

Performers from the Past

Living Performers

Performing Groups

Role of the Performer

Pick a Performer

For this assignment, you are going to focus on a musician or musical group, known for their performances. People and groups known for their musical compositions are excluded from this assignment. The links in the Instructor Lecture for this assignment are a starting point. You are encouraged to explore further. The internet is great — but periodicals and books are also wonderful sources.  This assignment’s focus is more narrow than your previous assignments. If you want to take on a person or group, not in the links, ask your instructor first.

Biographical Information —

Include a biography that focuses on this performer’s musical journey.

Music, music!

You need to include at least two selections that showcase the talents of your chosen performer.

What role does this performer serve?

Why do we need musicians who simply interpret the compositions of others? What specific niche/role does the performer you are discussing serve. This discussion will be integrated with the opinion portion below.

Your Opinion

Use your musical elements vocabulary to describe your personal reaction to the selections you provided. This opinion and musical elements should be related to the role that the performer serves.

Scholarship

Like your previous blogs, you will need at least two cited sources. What reputable sources did you use? Who wrote the music? Make sure you include the basic information about each work you featured in your blog.

Editing

Good writing counts. Penalties for poor editing will be applied. Same thing for video. Don’t ramble. Have a script or an outline to follow.

Grading

In this analysis assignment, you will be graded on the following:

Basic Information — Title (in italics if necessary), date, composer, country of origin — 10 points

Biography, the role of the performer, and opinion— 50 points

Citing your research, and utilizing quality sources — 20 points

Presentation — 20 points

1. A clear title presents the blog, which includes “Role of the Performer” in the title.
2. A link to the songs or works being analyzed. A minimum of 2 are required.
3. Titles of the songs or works (usually in italics), composers (if unknown – state this), the date (again – it might be unknown, but that should be stated) it was written or released, and country of origin clearly supplied in the text of the blog post.
4. A summary presentation of the research conducted on your chosen topic. A minimum of two reputable sources required.
5. A clearly formatted analysis of at least two musical elements found in each of the musical selections chosen that contribute to the talents offered by the featured performer.
6. A statement of your  personal  aesthetic reaction related to the analysis of the performer’s talents and the musical elements presented
7. Carefully edit  your blog post.
8. Sources are cited below the article in  MLA style. All internet sources must include a working hyperlink to the source material.
9. The blog has visual interest. An image or an embedded video is included
10. The blog post URL is submitted through Canvas,  Assignment Submit link ‘Unit 7 – Role of the Performer’, with a working hyperlink. If your hyperlink doesn’t work properly, you will be given a zero and will need to resubmit with a working hyperlink. Late penalties will apply.

General Blog Requirement Checklist  – Click on this link for a downloadable copy. It will take you to a new page, and then you need to click on the General Blog Requirements Checklist again.

You can learn a great deal by reading what your fellow students wrote.  You might hear music you’ve never experienced before.  You might hear something you already know in a different light.  As part of the EXPLORATION component in this course, you are required to comment on 2 of your fellow student’s blog posts.  Your comments  need to include the following:

1. Agreement or disagreement. Did you like the same things that they liked? Why or why not? Be polite. If we all liked the same things, music would never evolve. Comment on the role of the performer offered in the blog post.
2. Add to the discussion. Did you notice something was missing from the assignment? Did you notice another musical element that wasn’t considered? Could you direct them to another performer, work or style? Maybe there is an article that would be helpful?
3. Submit your comments on Canvas for grading using the Assignment Submit link ‘Unit 7 – Role of the Performer’.
4. Proper submission formatting.
   1. Use the  Assignment Submission section of Canvas to submit your comments.
   2. Do not use the  Add Comments area of Canvas.
   3. Submit the URL of each blog you commented on and hyperlink it in Canvas.
   4. Cut and paste your comment below the hyperlinked URL.

Click Here to see an annotated guide to comments.

Grading Criteria for Comments