Home

Syllabus

Schedule

Listening Reports

Multimedia Resources

Event Responses

SSU Concerts

Final Project

Study Questions

Exams and Class Records

Music 150

Event Responses

As part of your work this semester, you must attend and comment on ten events where U. S. music plays a prominent part in the event. The music featured at an event can be any style of U. S. music (rock, rap, pop, classical, jazz, country, Christian, world--any genre or style is equally acceptable); and not all of the music in a performance must be U. S. music.

Make sure you attend a variety of events. Ideally, every event should provide a a different performance experience; ten events of the same type will NOT be acceptable.

For each event you are to write up a brief Response Paper (1-2 pages typed).

What kinds of performance locations should you choose?

5 SSU Center for the Performing Arts events - At least five events must be chosen from the
list of Center for the Performing Arts performances; all of these are events which take place in relatively formal (sit-down-and-listen/watch) settings. See the SSU Concerts page for a listing of appropriate CPA-sponsored events you may attend. Note that dance, musical theater and drama productions are included on this list--all these are acceptable and recommended choices. Almost all CPA events can be attended free if you come in the last 10 minutes before the performance time and get student rush tickets. (You will need to show your student ID--one Student Rush ticket per SSU student ID.)
5 events of your choice - The other five events may be from the same list; or they may be other
events of any type involving music in a prominent way: this includes any type of concert, but also dances, dance performances, church services, coffee house, etc. You may include one movie which you attend in a theater (not at home on video); even though the music is not live, the experience is certainly that of a performance involving an audience.

How should you structure your responses?

Concerts - If the event is a concert, your Response Paper should follow this format:

description of the event

when, where, who performed, what kind of music, what was the music used for, dress of the performers, nature of program provided, etc. Also include information about the audience--who, dress, kind of response (dancing, wild applause, polite clapping, etc.) What about this particular event as a whole stood out in your mind?

for one or two pieces played

description of the piece---composer, title, when written, instruments used, unless the entire concert is one instrument or one grouping of instruments; genre; characteristics of piece which struck you

response to the piece and to its performance. Make sure you write responses and not reactions; your feelings about the music are an appropriate part of your response, but make sure you include facts about the pieces and/or the performance as reasons for your feelings.

Other Events - For events that are not concerts , modify the above format in this way:
First, provide the same kind of description ofhe event. Then describe the general character of the music, being as specific as is appropriate. In your response, describe the role of the music in the total experience, and discuss the quality of the contribution that the music makes to the event as a whole.

When are Event Responses Due?

Event Responses may be turned in any time during the semester; however, I urge you NOT to wait until the end of the semester to attend all your events! No Event Responses will be accepted after the last day of class. PLAN AHEAD!

How are Event Responses Graded?

Each Event Response is worth 1.5% of your grade; 15% of your final grade in the class comes from these papers. Your credit comes from attending the event and responding thoughtfully to it in writing; therefore, Response Papers will not receive letter grades; attendance at the events and thoughtful completion your Response Paper as described above will give you full credit.