essay
Section 3: Essay (worth 120 possible points): You are not allowed to consult electronics or notes of any kind while writing this essay
Topic: In full essay form, and in handwriting that is legible, describe how U.S. music and culture changed between 1900 and 1959, by comparing and contrasting these
three sub-eras:
– 1900-29
– 1930-49
– 1950-59
Format of essay:
I. Brief Introduction to the essay [5 possible points]
II. Main Body: Describe each sub-era separately in chronological order, including the following information [30 possible points per sub-era]
– a. Briefly describe what America was like in this era.
– b. Describe at least one significant technology developed in this era and how it impacted American music.
– c. Discuss two leading artists in popular music during this era (identify each artist’s music style, and provide the title of a specific musical piece performed by
each of them).
– d. Discuss one important art music composer in this era (include the title of a specific musical piece by that composer, and briefly describe what is innovative
about it
III. Conclusion to the essay [15 possible points]
The essay sheet is a legal-size (8.5 inches by 14 inches), double sided. Your entire essay will need to fit on both sides of this sheet, so be accurate and concise.
Grading Criteria
– I will be grading primarily on the accuracy of the content and information you provide, but if your essay rambles and does not have a clear focus, there will be a
10% reduction in your essay score.
– If you only give short answers to the questions above, without writing a comparative essay in the format described above, you will receive a 50% reduction in your
essay score (therefore, you would earn no more than 60 points out of the 120 possible).
– If the essay is illegible, it cannot be graded and will be scored as a zero.
(3 ® www.wmich.edu/mus-gened/musSSOO/350oMidterm.html fr 5
Listening Identification examples to study for ” Classical“ Art-Music Music 1900-59
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question (1908)
Henry Cowell: The Banshee (1925)
Aaron Copland: “Simple Gifts” from Appalachian Spring (1944)-Ballet
John Cage: “The Perilous Night” from Sonatas for Prepared Piano (1948)
Edgard Varese: Poeme electronigue (1958)
Section 3: Essay (worth 120 possible points): You are not allowed to consult electronics or notes of any kind while writing this essay
Topic: In full essay form, and in handwriting that is legible, describe how U.S. music and culture changed between 1900 and 1959, by comparing and contrasting these
three sub-eras:
1900-29
1930-49
1950-59
Format of essay:
I. Brief Introduction to the essay {5 possible points]
II. Main Body: Describe each sub-era separately in chronological order, including the following information [30 possible points per sub-era]
a. Briefly describe what America was like in this era.
b. Describe at least one significant technology developed in this era and how it impacted American music.
c. Discuss two leading artists in popular music during this era (identify each artist’s music style, and provide the title of a specific musical piece performed by
each of them).
d. Discuss one important art music composer in this era (include the title of a specific musical piece by that composer, and briefly describe what is innovative about
it
111. Conclusion to the essay {15 possible points]
The essay sheet is a legal-size (8.5 inches by 14 inches), double sided. Your entire essay will need to fit on both sides of this sheet, so be accurate and concise.
To prepare for items 0. and (1. above, you may find it helpful to review the lists of Important Musical Examples at the end of Chapter 2 (p20), Chapter 3 (p32), and
Chapter 4 (p.43) of the online
textbook.
Grading Criteria
I will be grading primarily on the accuracy of the content and information you provide, but if your essay rambles and does not have a clear focus, there will be a 10%
reduction in your essay score.
If you only give short answers to the questions above, without writing a comparative essay in the format described above, you will receive a 50% reduction in your
essay score (therefore, you
would earn no more than 60 points out of the 120 possible).
If the essay is illegible, it cannot be graded and will be scored as a zero.
