The final exam has been graded - you can pop into WebCT to check your score.
Final Grades won't be posted for a few days - there's a lot of data to mes with, and I have a recording session and a performance this Friday.
THANK YOU to everyone for your patience - we still don't know where the scheduling mixup occurred, but I'm thankful you guys were willing and able to go with the flow!
LISTENING <-- Click if you want to hear it again.
1. Check your audio - obviously, one of the class piece recordings - the aleatoric one. CLICK HERE if you'd like to listen to ALL the things we recorded.
2. One - "Hotter Than That", Louis Armstrong. Jazz!
3. Two - Weelkes, "As Vesta Was Descending". NOT "Vespa" - they didn't have Italian-made scooters back then! Renaissance, word painting, polyphonic, a cappella, a madrigal.
4. Three - Bartok Concerto for Orcehstra (II. Game of Pairs), towards the end. 20th Century, some dissonance. This is actually "NeoClassical".
5. Four - I had mistyped something in the code, which is why it wasn't working - everyone got the 10 points as a patience/Christmas bonus. You can hear it now - [it's on your CDs as well].
6. Five - the class minimalism piece - so 21st c., minimalistic, not much variation, noise as a sound source.
I'll post again when the grades are put into the system. Next Wednesday is the Deadline, so they'll definitely be done before then!
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
OOPS.....the class recordings!
Just discovered the class recordings didn't post correctly. That has been repaired, and you can now download our recordings and bestow them on posterity or to annoy the rodents in the neighborhood.
CLICK HERE and select the track to download!
CLICK HERE and select the track to download!
Who says Classical is boring?
Something to make you smile - the Calgary Chorus took the music to "O Fortuna" [you'll recognize it when you here it] and asked their audience to tweet in their suggestions for keeping warm up there.
The original article is at
http://gizmodo.com/5865380/tweeted-tips-for-staying-warm-as-sung-by-the-calgary-philharmonic-orchestra
The original article is at
http://gizmodo.com/5865380/tweeted-tips-for-staying-warm-as-sung-by-the-calgary-philharmonic-orchestra
Thursday, December 01, 2011
The Class Recordings are Ready [finally!]
http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/Music+Appreciation+Experiments
You can listen to them online, or download them. They are 320 bitrate MP3s, so can be played on any mp3 player/computer, etc.
Aleatoric 2 probably sounds the best.
So, I have to ask: IS THIS MUSIC?
[and was it fun to create?]
You can listen to them online, or download them. They are 320 bitrate MP3s, so can be played on any mp3 player/computer, etc.
Aleatoric 2 probably sounds the best.
So, I have to ask: IS THIS MUSIC?
[and was it fun to create?]
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Miscellany for a Tuesday
1. ABSOLUTE deadline for concert reports to be turned in is the last class meeting - next Monday Dec. 5! Check music.mercer.edu for a calendar of events over there - GCSU also has one.
2. 23 foot high Theremin appears in Melbourne and freaks people out. - I would so like to see this!
3. Musician Uses Looping Pedal to Play with Time - Comes back to the "Is This Music?" question!
2. 23 foot high Theremin appears in Melbourne and freaks people out. - I would so like to see this!
3. Musician Uses Looping Pedal to Play with Time - Comes back to the "Is This Music?" question!
Wikipedia article - Website, with samples [pun intended!]
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Comments from the Romantic / 20th Century Test
Comments from the Romantic / 20th Century Test. These are copy/pasted, complete with typos.
What 20th century piece surprised you the most? Why? [either pleasantly OR unpleasantly surprised!]
What surprised ME about the comments was the number of times Rite of Spring was mentioned as a surprise, even after all of these years!
What 20th century piece surprised you the most? Why? [either pleasantly OR unpleasantly surprised!]
- Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" surprised me the most. I think the people that started a riot over it over reacted, but I still thought the music was bizarre, yet captivating with the odd, powerful sounds and chords.
- Poeme Electronique was extremely "interesting". It had a lot of new and crazy stuff going on that sounds weird even now.
- idk
- The percussion ones. I have only been to one percussion concert, and I must say that it was one of the most interesting performances I had ever seen before. The tones are so dark, which I really enjoy. I like how in the 20th century, there is use of harmonies and vocals as beats, instruments to contrast the melodies. I like how they developed a new sense of structure with the electronic beats. But what truly intrigued me the most was the avant-garde section, because I never expected you to cover that the way you did.
- Poeme Electronique suprised me the most because it was nothing but random sounds.
- I wasn't suprised by it.
- Rite of Spring. I just can't get over how weird all of it is. Both of the dances we watched in class to go along with it were somewhat jolting and disconcerting. It's just strange...
- The one with the random noises # 17 on the listening section because it seems like random sounds with no theme. {Varese Poeme Electronique]
- The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky surprised me the most.It was the most memorable of the ones I've heard. It was really different from the classical music we listened to before this.The drums and the beat gave it the power and is why this piece was primitivism and it produced a different emotion from me than the other songs.It pulled my concentration and made me focus and really think about what's coming next.I enjoyed the difference and contrast of these two eras compared to classical and baroque eras.
- Armstrong impressed me the most. I really enjoy jazz and blues. All the other works give our century a terrible name.
- simple variations. i really like the piece because it has a nice moving melody and it will keep you entertained through the whole piece.
- Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" surprised me the most because it was such a drastic change from the Romantic Era. It was harsh, primal, with a driving beat that was so dramatically different than what his audience was used to and it was the beginning of a new era.
- My favorite piece was probably Erlking. It surprised me on how emotional it was. The steady rhythm of the horse's hoof beats really MADE the song. Once I read the translation of the words on the listening guide, it just made the song even creepier. It really surprised me when I found out that one man performed all of it: the father, the son, Erlking, and death. The way the man portrayed the son was brilliant!
- Ahhh!!! This whole section was brutal. What surprised me was how difficult this section turned out to be!!
- The peice that surprised me the most is Symphonie Fastastique, because it was so long and diverse
- The piece "Shard" surprised me the most. I can tell that the music is organized, but I don't see how there is any substance to what he's composed. Even though it is composed, it still sounds like somebody just messing around on a guitar. Unpleasantly surprised. Difficult to appreciate.
- Cance music. Some was good but I still dont think it should be classified as music
- the Afo-American syphony because it was un comman for blacks to write and proform symphonies and the fact tat he put a banjo in his syphony.
- The Afro-American Symphony pleasantly suprised me the most because of their unusual use of a banjo in an orchestra piece.
- Stravinsky's the Rite of Spring surprised me the most because of the harsh tones and discord throughout the piece. Although it is clear the composer took time with the piece, I did NOT enjoy it. It was very difficult to listen to or enjoy; it is not a surprise that the piece caused a riot. I believe the piece should have been named the "Riot" of Spring.
What surprised ME about the comments was the number of times Rite of Spring was mentioned as a surprise, even after all of these years!
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Saturday, November 05, 2011
The last nudge about concert reports.....
Every Friday in the Macon Telegraph - available in the Library - is a section that lists upcoming concerts for the next 10 days. For example, the Macon Symphony is performing as I type this.
On Sunday, 11/13, there's a free Flute & Piano concert featuring Eugenia Zuckerman at Vineville Methodist @ 4pm.
The Metropolitan opera (New York) has several broadcasts in HD that you can see either at the Douglass Theatre in Macon, or at the Galleria Mall Cinema in Warner Robins. There's a list at metopera.org/hdlive. These WILL count for concerts.
There are also SEVERAL concerts coming up at Mercer - see http://www2.mercer.edu/Music/calendar.htm for the entire list.
Dec 1 - Thursday, The Mercer Percussion Ensemble will be performing with Andy Harnsberger. If you have never been to a percussion ensemble concert, you really should go. Marcus Reddick, the director, is an incredible percussionist and teacher - we chatted the other day about what they will be playing, and it sounds VERY interesting.
It is free, and it will count as long as the concert report is turned in NO LATER THAN the final exam.
-----
Remember that the concert reports count for 10% of the final average - that's an entire letter grade. Write a couple of pages about it - write well - and take a look at the syllabus and at the blog entry on concert reports for some ideas.
On Sunday, 11/13, there's a free Flute & Piano concert featuring Eugenia Zuckerman at Vineville Methodist @ 4pm.
The Metropolitan opera (New York) has several broadcasts in HD that you can see either at the Douglass Theatre in Macon, or at the Galleria Mall Cinema in Warner Robins. There's a list at metopera.org/hdlive. These WILL count for concerts.
There are also SEVERAL concerts coming up at Mercer - see http://www2.mercer.edu/Music/calendar.htm for the entire list.
Remember that ALL concert reports are due
at the last class meeting.
I will NOT accept any reports late - EXCEPT:
Dec 1 - Thursday, The Mercer Percussion Ensemble will be performing with Andy Harnsberger. If you have never been to a percussion ensemble concert, you really should go. Marcus Reddick, the director, is an incredible percussionist and teacher - we chatted the other day about what they will be playing, and it sounds VERY interesting.
It is free, and it will count as long as the concert report is turned in NO LATER THAN the final exam.
-----
Remember that the concert reports count for 10% of the final average - that's an entire letter grade. Write a couple of pages about it - write well - and take a look at the syllabus and at the blog entry on concert reports for some ideas.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Notes from 10/24/11 class
1)
I just updated the WebCT/Vista gradebook with all of the grades from the presentations so far.
We have 5 weeks of the semester left. I have only seen TWO concert reports! They are due during our last class meeting. Don't let this slip up on you!
2)
The Macon State Chamber Singers will be performing oncampus twice, downstairs in the rehearsal hall:
Monday November 14 at 7:30 pm
Tuesday November 15 at 12:30 pm
Yup - 'tis FREE!
3)
Here are the Symphonie Fantastique Videos we started today:
4th Movement | 5th Movement
4th Movement
5th Movement
I just updated the WebCT/Vista gradebook with all of the grades from the presentations so far.
We have 5 weeks of the semester left. I have only seen TWO concert reports! They are due during our last class meeting. Don't let this slip up on you!
2)
The Macon State Chamber Singers will be performing oncampus twice, downstairs in the rehearsal hall:
Monday November 14 at 7:30 pm
Tuesday November 15 at 12:30 pm
Yup - 'tis FREE!
3)
Here are the Symphonie Fantastique Videos we started today:
4th Movement | 5th Movement
4th Movement
5th Movement
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Free Concert THIS WEEK
[YES, IT COUNTS - but since it's so short I'll expect better writing!]
BRING THE KIDS to an adorable opera for child audiences (Grades K-5) that the whole family will enjoy! Next week Mercer University Opera teams up with Stone Academy after-school program to present A Muskrat Lullaby. Based on the story book “Mama Don’t Allow“, this great little show is only 25 minutes long and we are performing it at 6:00 p.m. for your convenience: after work and before dinner.
It’s FREE, so bring the grandkids and neighbor’s kids, too! See how Miles the Muskrat and his singing quartet of swamp animals escape the clutches of Boss Alligator and the Alligator Gang!!
Audience participation and sing-along! Meet the cast after the show!
Call (478) 301-5751 for more information.
BRING THE KIDS to an adorable opera for child audiences (Grades K-5) that the whole family will enjoy! Next week Mercer University Opera teams up with Stone Academy after-school program to present A Muskrat Lullaby. Based on the story book “Mama Don’t Allow“, this great little show is only 25 minutes long and we are performing it at 6:00 p.m. for your convenience: after work and before dinner.
It’s FREE, so bring the grandkids and neighbor’s kids, too! See how Miles the Muskrat and his singing quartet of swamp animals escape the clutches of Boss Alligator and the Alligator Gang!!
Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 18-19
at the DOUGLASS THEATRE, 6 pm
Thursday-Friday, Oct. 20-21
at MERCER’S MUSIC BUILDING, 6 pm
FREE!
Call (478) 301-5751 for more information.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Test 2 comments
What surprised you most about Baroque music? About Classical?
I was surprised that I enjoyed the Baroque music better then the Classical music.
What surprised me most was the differences between the two. I thought they sound the same before but now I see clear consise differences.
My favorite thing about Baroque music is the ambling melodies. They're fun to play on piano. My favorite thing about Classical is that it is more emotional than Baroque, which is why I'm excited to move into the Romantic period.
I like classical better because its not as crazy.
A few pieces that I always thought were "classical music" were actually from the Baroque period.
the baroque music is a little weird to me. i'd much rather listen to childrens music. and the classical music was the best to me because it kept you moving throughout the piece.
Before the class, I could not tell the difference. They were just names to me and had no meanings. I was surprised that the Baroque era had as much "drive" as it did. I didn't realize that the Classical era still used vocals in music.
A lot of different things surprised me. Mostly about Bach's dad.
I find it hard to tell a distinction between pieces. I find it hard to tell a distinction between classical composers also. I feel there is only so much a composer could have really done to stand outside the box. However; each period offered their own uniqueness. Taking the roots of the earlier period.
What suprise me about Classical is that the only two composures i know are both considered under the Classical section and that both Mozart and Beethoven didnt do as much as Haydn but still are the two names tht comes up the most. The Baroque its hard to say because before this class I didnt know anything about it but I did learn alot from the 1600s when it came to this time period in music
The classical era surprised me in that it was essentially the composers were comparable to the pop artists of today.
Baroque music goes on and on and classical music survived for a long period of time
I was definitely unaware that Opera began during this time period. I grew an appreciation and interest for opera while learning this section. What suprised me most about classical music was after listerning to music from the baroque period, it is amazing to me how simple it was compared to that. It made me realize that this is where folk music began.
It surprised me that a boroque peice could last so long and be so fast paced while the musician remembers all of it and doesnt miss a note. It surprised me that the classical composers were so amazing at experimenting with dynamics. I also like it when a theme returns many times in different fragments and keys.
what the musican had to go through in oder to play music
I did not know that the harpsicord was invinted before the piano. I also didnt know that people and society in Europe were as involved and dedicated to music, nor that it was considered educated to be able to play music.
The Baroque music is somewhat harsh, very loud and constantly moving uses Basso Continuo. Classical is much more lyrical uses a full orchestra no longer uses a Basso Continuo or the Harpsichord.
To me, Baroque music is difficult to identify. I never realized how easy it is to get Classical music stuck in your head until I sat and really analyzed it.
MY PERSONAL FAVORITE:
I was surprised that I enjoyed the Baroque music better then the Classical music.
What surprised me most was the differences between the two. I thought they sound the same before but now I see clear consise differences.
My favorite thing about Baroque music is the ambling melodies. They're fun to play on piano. My favorite thing about Classical is that it is more emotional than Baroque, which is why I'm excited to move into the Romantic period.
I like classical better because its not as crazy.
A few pieces that I always thought were "classical music" were actually from the Baroque period.
the baroque music is a little weird to me. i'd much rather listen to childrens music. and the classical music was the best to me because it kept you moving throughout the piece.
Before the class, I could not tell the difference. They were just names to me and had no meanings. I was surprised that the Baroque era had as much "drive" as it did. I didn't realize that the Classical era still used vocals in music.
A lot of different things surprised me. Mostly about Bach's dad.
I find it hard to tell a distinction between pieces. I find it hard to tell a distinction between classical composers also. I feel there is only so much a composer could have really done to stand outside the box. However; each period offered their own uniqueness. Taking the roots of the earlier period.
What suprise me about Classical is that the only two composures i know are both considered under the Classical section and that both Mozart and Beethoven didnt do as much as Haydn but still are the two names tht comes up the most. The Baroque its hard to say because before this class I didnt know anything about it but I did learn alot from the 1600s when it came to this time period in music
The classical era surprised me in that it was essentially the composers were comparable to the pop artists of today.
Baroque music goes on and on and classical music survived for a long period of time
I was definitely unaware that Opera began during this time period. I grew an appreciation and interest for opera while learning this section. What suprised me most about classical music was after listerning to music from the baroque period, it is amazing to me how simple it was compared to that. It made me realize that this is where folk music began.
It surprised me that a boroque peice could last so long and be so fast paced while the musician remembers all of it and doesnt miss a note. It surprised me that the classical composers were so amazing at experimenting with dynamics. I also like it when a theme returns many times in different fragments and keys.
what the musican had to go through in oder to play music
I did not know that the harpsicord was invinted before the piano. I also didnt know that people and society in Europe were as involved and dedicated to music, nor that it was considered educated to be able to play music.
The Baroque music is somewhat harsh, very loud and constantly moving uses Basso Continuo. Classical is much more lyrical uses a full orchestra no longer uses a Basso Continuo or the Harpsichord.
To me, Baroque music is difficult to identify. I never realized how easy it is to get Classical music stuck in your head until I sat and really analyzed it.
MY PERSONAL FAVORITE:
The fact that I could actually pay attention to it and the fact that I didn't hate it.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Oct 23rd concert in WR
Sunday Oct 23rd @ 3pm
205 North Davis Drive
Warner Robins
Admission $10
Students FREE
205 North Davis Drive
Warner Robins
Admission $10
Students FREE
Free Upcoming Concerts @ Mercer (WITH MSC STUDENT ID)
Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. - Fickling Hall
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin Julie Albers, cello Elizabeth Pridgen, piano
Franck - Piano Quintet in F minor
Shostakovich - Trio No. 2 in E minor
Monday, October 24 - 3:00 p.m. - Fickling Hall
William McGraw, baritone, Master Class
Mr. McGraw is one of the foremost performing vocal pedagogues in the United States.
Note from the booking agency:
"We hope your students are able to attend. They only need to show their ID for a ticket or admission. I would encourage them to get an advance ticket for the Oct. 18 concert."
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin Julie Albers, cello Elizabeth Pridgen, piano
Franck - Piano Quintet in F minor
Shostakovich - Trio No. 2 in E minor
Monday, October 24 - 3:00 p.m. - Fickling Hall
William McGraw, baritone, Master Class
Mr. McGraw is one of the foremost performing vocal pedagogues in the United States.
Note from the booking agency:
"We hope your students are able to attend. They only need to show their ID for a ticket or admission. I would encourage them to get an advance ticket for the Oct. 18 concert."
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Upcoming Concerts that count
NOT an exhaustive list - just a couple that class members have let me know about
Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00pm
Sons of Daughters - FB Event Page - Website
Free Jazz group from Wisconsin
Tuesday Sept 27 @ Mercer
Mercer Ensemble Series
7:30
Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00pm
Sons of Daughters - FB Event Page - Website
Free Jazz group from Wisconsin
the Golden Bough371 Cotton Ave
Macon, GA
FREE
Tuesday Sept 27 @ Mercer
Mercer Ensemble Series
7:30
@ the McCorkle Music Building
FREE
Presentation - quick reminder
Don't forget that the presentation schedule is listed on the blog- make sure you don't miss your date! We have ZERO flexibility in the schedule now.
FINAL EXAM DATE:
Wed 12/7 1-3 pm in the ARC as usual.
FINAL EXAM DATE:
Wed 12/7 1-3 pm in the ARC as usual.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Test 1 is graded........
....so you can pop over into WebCT/Vista and see what your score is.
WARNING: The number you see is NOT a percentage - it's your score out of 83 points possible.
So if your score is a 74, that's actually an 89.15%. Yes, I round to the nearest integer.
There is a spreadsheet you can download from the WebCT/Vista section that you can use to track your progress in the class. Take advantage of it!
WARNING: The number you see is NOT a percentage - it's your score out of 83 points possible.
So if your score is a 74, that's actually an 89.15%. Yes, I round to the nearest integer.
There is a spreadsheet you can download from the WebCT/Vista section that you can use to track your progress in the class. Take advantage of it!
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Test notes & Blog info
I just tweaked the study posts for Elements, Medieval, and Renaissance. You might want to look at them.
I also updated some of the links on the right sidebar - most notably the Kamien Connect link now points to the Fall 2011 section (instead of the one from last Spring).
Study well!
Don't forget that the test will be in the LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB. Bring headphones/earbuds if you've got some you prefer. Make sure you have an 1/8" jack [i.e. iPod/Zune/MP3 player type].
We do have a good number of headphones available, but they are "merely OK" quality-wise.
I also updated some of the links on the right sidebar - most notably the Kamien Connect link now points to the Fall 2011 section (instead of the one from last Spring).
Study well!
Don't forget that the test will be in the LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB. Bring headphones/earbuds if you've got some you prefer. Make sure you have an 1/8" jack [i.e. iPod/Zune/MP3 player type].
We do have a good number of headphones available, but they are "merely OK" quality-wise.
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