Music Appreciation

Group Activities

 

Group Activities

General Information

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Romantic Idol

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Nationalism and Identity Border Patrol

 

 
Elements  
Medieval
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Authentic vs. Modern Instruments:  A Debate

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The Trinity Explained to an Alien

 
Renaissance
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Renaissance Love Songs

 
Baroque
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Bach and Company

 
Classical
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Marketing Opera

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Mozart and Spielberg

 
Romantic
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Romantic Idol

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Nationalism and Identity Border Patrol

 
20th Century
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Take a Chance

 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 1

May 29

 

Debate:  Authentic vs. Modern Instruments

One of the most important topics is whether to use authentic instruments. When a musician uses an authentic or replica instrument (such as a lute instead of a modern classical guitar, or a harpsichord instead of a piano), purists say that the fundamental meaning of the original music is only portrayed through the special aspects of the early instrument; use of a modernized instrument, they point out, forces the modern performer to change some notes and expressive gestures, such as volume and timbre. Proponents of the use of modern instruments in early music performance, however, believe that great music can be conveyed with modern, technologically advanced instruments, which generally stay in tune more consistently, are more standardized, and have louder sonic capabilities.

Tasks to assign:

·         Find at least two recordings of instrumental early music to study: make sure one uses authentic instruments, and the other uses modern instruments (the music doesn’t need to be the same).

·         Find pictures (physical pictures or digital to be shown on the screen – any medium) of the instruments to compare

·         look up some additional thoughts on this debate

·         choose 2 people to debate the issue in class (on Thursday)

·         choose a moderator for the debate who will introduce the 2 sides and facilitate the process

·         choose a facilitator to lead the class discussion

 

Group tasks (work together):

·         write (or talk through and keep some notes) the important points to be covered in the debate

·         come up with some answers to the follow-up question to guide the discussion

 

On the day of presentation:

·         Mock debate

·         Ask the following question to the entire class and get an assessment of their opinion by a show of hands:  If you needed to choose between two early music performances, one with early instruments and one with modern, which would you choose?”  Continue the discussion by asking why.

 

 

 

Week 2

June 4

 

Bach and Company

Background information

Johann Sebastian Bach was the composer of the finest music of the Baroque period.  He was a hard working composer, conductor, teacher, and performer.  He also had a very large family and several of his sons also became famous musicians. 

Project

Imagine that Bach is visited by three individuals (listed below).  The dialogue between Bach and his visitors should reflect the circumstances of his life.  Consider the following questions and build a dialogue between Bach and the associated guests.

·         What were Bach’s job responsibilities during the time in Leipzig (1723-1750)?

Visitor:  a member of the Leipzig Council who hired him for that position

·         What was his home life like?  Wife?  Number of children?  Common activities?

Visitor:  Bach’s 2nd wife

·         Four of his sons became prominent musicians – more famous than their father during his lifetime.  Why were they more famous?  How was their music different?

Visitor:  his son, C.P.E. Bach

 

Tasks to assign:

 

·         Choose individuals to play the parts of Bach and each of his visitors.

·         Choose a facilitator to lead the discussion.

Group tasks (work together):

·         Write (or talk through and keep some notes) the background material necessary to build the conversations between Bach and his 3 visitors

·         Come up with some answers to the follow-up question to guide the discussion

Notes:

·         Consider using pictures of the characters as a backdrop or costume pieces to represent them

·         Audio clips of Bach’s music and his son’s music can illustrate the difference

On the day of presentation:

·         Dialogue between Bach and his visitors

·         Discussion question:  Was Bach satisfied with his life?  Why do you think so?

 

 

 

Week 3

June 11

 

  

Week 4

June 18

 

  
   
   
   
   
   
   

Week 5

June 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

 

Any paper with all 5's will be thrown out.  Also, don't rate yourself.

 

 

Groups

Your group

Topic ____________________________

Group ____

Topic ____________________________

Group ____

Topic ____________________________

Overall presentation

5  4  3  2  1

5  4  3  2  1

5  4  3  2  1

Fulfillment of assignment

5  4  3  2  1

5  4  3  2  1

5  4  3  2  1

I learned something contributing to my appreciation of music

5  4  3  2  1

5  4  3  2  1

5  4  3  2  1

Comment

What would you (or your group) do differently next time?

What would have made the presentation better?

What would have made the presentation better?

 

5 = Superior                   4 = Above Average                    3 = Average                    2 = Below average                   1 = Weak