Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Bach Blog

Hello Music Appreciators!

This week, you'll listen to just one video of an orchestra playing the music of Bach.

Write a well-put together paragraph that describes the characterisitics that you hear and see to prove that this piece does fit in the Baroque period. Refer to your Baroque characteristics sheet as you answer. You should have at least 5 reasons for why the piece is a Baroque one. Remember, all of the characteristics on the sheet might not fit for this piece, so listen to the entire piece and make sure you pick the ones that are most relevant.

Rubric:
25 points - You wrote a nice paragraph - at least 5 sentences
25 points - You used at least five characteristics to prove that this piece is a Baroque piece.
25 points - You show that you understand all of the characteristics that you mention (include details of what you see and hear!), and they are truly applicable to the piece in the video.
25 points - You used excellent grammar in your writing.

Please turn in by Monday, April 12 for full credit.

Here is the URL, if the video to the right is not working correctly:

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

A Capella Music

Hello Music Appreciators!

This week, you'll listen to two videos that show some different choral styles. One is Renaissance, one is more of a modern day piece.

The second piece is Sicut Cervus by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - written during the Renaissance period (also to the right):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYU8uomYaiM

The first piece is Ave Maria by Franz Biebl - written in 1964 (also to the right):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCXnhYgoHDw

Listen to each of the pieces. Write one sentence that describes the following in each piece (you should have a paragraph for each piece, with four sentences in each paragraph):
- Texture (monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic) - 20 pts.
- Tempo - 20 pts.
- Meter - 20 pts.
- Use of dynamics (gradual changes? terraced?) - 20 pts.
- Good grammar and spelling, and you refer to each piece by it's name/composer - 20 pts.

Make sure to have accurate information!

Turn in by Monday, March 29 for full credit.

-Mr. Ward

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Barber of Seville (by Rossini)

Hello class,

This week, you will listen to two videos to the right. They are each different arias from The Barber of Seville. When you discuss the videos, please refer to them as "Figaro's Aria" and "Largo al factotum della citta," or you may refer to the singer.

Write one paragraph about Figaro's Aria, and another about Rosina's aria. In each paragraph, explain how the words/stories are displayed in the way that the singer's (Kathleen Battle and Pietro Spagnoli) act and sing.

Figaro's Aria (Largo al factotum della citta) Translation:

Make way for the factotum of the city, Hurrying to his shop since dawn is already here. Ah, what a fine life, what fine pleasureFor a barber of quality!
Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo! A most fortunate man indeed! Ready to do everything Night and day, Always on the move. A cushier fate for a barber, A more noble life, is not to be had.
Razors and combs, Lancets and scissors, At my command Everything's there. Here are the tools Of my trade With the ladies...with the gentlemen...
Everyone asks for me, everyone wants me, Ladies, young lads, old men, young girls: Here is the wig...the beard is ready...Here are the leeches...The note is ready...Here is the wig, the beard is ready, The note is ready, hey!
Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!, etc. Ah, what frenzy! Ah, what a crowd! One at a time, please! Hey, Figaro! I'm here. Figaro here, Figaro there, Figaro up, Figaro down,
Swifter and swifter, I'm like a thunderbolt: I'm the factotum of the city. Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo, You'll never lack for luck!

Io sono docile Translation:

I am docile, I am respectful, I am obedient, sweet, loveable

I am held down, I will take control, But if they hold me back where I have a partiality

If I’m thwarted, I will be a viper and have a hundred tricks

Before giving up I will make fools of them. Yes, yes, I will win him. If I at least will be allowed to have the chance.

Rubric:

20 pts. You wrote a blog!

30 pts. You described the acting and singing in Figaro's aria.

30 pts. You described the acting and singing in Rosina's aria.

20 pts. You used good grammar when writing.

Please write and submit your post for this assignment by Monday, March 22 for full credit.

In case you can't watch the videos to the right, here are the URL's for the videos:

Figaro's Aria (sung by Pietro Spagnoli) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=012dIqLM_qo

Rosina's Aria (sung by Kathleen Battle) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8LFUDwZhvQ

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Extra Credit Blog: Gershwin and Copeland

Hello class,
This week, you will be listen to TWO videos to the right.

Write one excellent paragraph that compares the two pieces. In your paragraph, describe the style of the music played, how the two pieces are different, and how they are similar.

Rubric:
10 pts: You wrote a blog.
10 pts: You compared the two pieces.
10 pts: You contrasted the two pieces.
10 pts: You contrasted the two pieces in a different way.
10 pts: You wrote at least 5 excellent sentences.
10 pts: You used excellent grammar and vocabulary.

This is an extra credit assignment. You cannot lose credit for posting. You can gain up to 60 points.

Please write and submit your post for this assignment by Monday, March 8 to receive extra credit.

In case you can't watch the videos to the right, here are the URL's for the videos:
Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhj9W9CoNfQ
Copeland, Appalachian Spring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RXLwtvGH9c

Evolution of Music

Background - Lecrae

Hansel and Gretel