By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
Identify a performer or group who primarily interprets compositions created by other people. CLO#6
Summarize the performer’s biography.
Identify and present 2 musical performances given by the performer. CLO#14
Define basic information for the two musical compositions in the selected performances. #6
Analyze several musical elements related to the performer’s skills. CLO#5, CLO#3
Express an aesthetic reaction related to the musical elements presented in the analysis. CLO#8, CLO#5
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
Present research with appropriate citations in MLA format. CLO# 16
Express an opinion on the theories presented by other students. CLO#15
Describe their own opinion on the works and musical analysis presented by other students. CLO# 15, CLO#12
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
Unit 7 Instructor Lecture
There are quite a few musicians that are both performers and composers. However there are musicians that only compose, and there are musicians who stick to performing. For this unit, the focus will be on musicians who stick to performing. Musicians who primarily perform works that they compose are not appropriate for this assignment. Below are links that can help you identify musicians that fit into this category. You are free to make your own choice, but make sure you keep your focus on a performer that primarily perform works composed by others.
Checklist of Learning Activities for Unit
Role of the Performer
Watch Instructor Lecture.
Browse Suggested Topics.
Read Instructions – Role of the Performer Blog.
Research a musical performer or musical group, who primarily performs works composed by others. Examples: Kristen Chenowith, Metropolitan Opera, Frank Sinatra, Yo Yo Ma. LO# 1
Select two musical performances by the performer you have chosen. LO#3
Read Blog Requirements – Role of the Performer.
Create a Role of the Performer blog post. LO #2-#8
Submit the URL of your blog post on Canvas.
Read Instruction – Role of the Performer Comments.
Comment on 2 classmates’ “Role of the Performer’ posts offering your opinions and additional learning. LO# 9, 10, 11
See all these folks? They are performers. Dr. Zilberkant commands over 130 musicians and choir members on the David Concert Hall stage with even more people off stage. instruments, and many folks behind the scenes to make the show possible. Davis Concert Hall. Max Erickson/ Sun Star
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
Blog Post Requirements - Role of the Performer
A clear title presents the blog, which includes “Role of the Performer” in the title.
A link to the songs or works being analyzed. A minimum of 2 are required.
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.
A summary presentation of the research conducted on your chosen topic. A minimum of two reputable sources required.
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.
A statement of your personal aesthetic reaction related to the analysis of the performer’s talents and the musical elements presented
Sources are cited below the article in MLA style. All internet sources must include a working hyperlink to the source material.
The blog has visual interest. An image or an embedded video is included
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.
Instructions - Role of the Performer Comments
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:
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.
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?
Submit your comments on Canvas for grading using the Assignment Submit link ‘Unit 7 – Role of the Performer’.
Proper submission formatting.
Use the Assignment Submission section of Canvas to submit your comments.
Do not use the Add Comments area of Canvas.
Submit the URL of each blog you commented on and hyperlink it in Canvas.
Cut and paste your comment below the hyperlinked URL.
The fusion of music and stories is coming up next in Music and the Fictive Dream. Think of scary movies. What is a scary movie without a great soundtrack? What about your favorite television series? I’ll bet there is a theme song and maybe more. What about video games that contain unique music for each level? Opera and musicals, even Cirque de Soleil use a fusion of music and stories. So many to explore in our next assignment which is very popular with students.
