classical music concert essay

Concert Report Instructions give you imformation at the end of the instruction.

Due: Within one (1) week of your concert. Submit online. Click on “Assignments” and then “Concert Report.”

Length: One (1) cover page plus a minimum of two (2) double-spaced pages of text and bibliography on a 

separate page. You will have a minimum of four (4) pages total. No extra-large fonts or wide margins, please.

Sources: Three (3) or more sources. At least two (2) of these must be scholarly sources. Acceptable scholarly

sources are dictionaries and encyclopedias, any article found on JSTOR, or any printed book in the library. My 

definition of a scholarly source is narrow, and only these three types will count. Make sure yours fit the 

requirement!

Any additional sources beyond the first two (2) may be of your own choosing and might include Wikipedia, 

newspaper articles, concert reviews, concert programs, or any relevant website.

How to find a scholarly source:

To access dictionaries and encyclopedias online, go to http://guides.temple.edu/c.php?g=77739

1) click on the “beginning your research” tab 2) click on “Oxford Music Online” 3) enter your search term(s).

If you need help doing this, go to the library and ask for assistance.

To access JSTOR, go to http://guides.temple.edu/c.php?g=77739

1) click on the “databases” tab 2) scroll down and click on “JSTOR” 3) enter search terms to find articles. 

If you need help doing this, go to the library and ask for assistance.

To access books, go to the library.

What to include in your report: All six (6) elements must be present to receive full credit. 

1. Cover Page: WHO played, WHAT they played, WHEN, and WHERE. Do not list all of the individual 

orchestra members, but do tell me the name of the conductor and any featured soloists. List all of the 

pieces and their composers.

2. Research: Place what you heard in context. Choose your favorite piece from the night and write about 

it. Discuss why you chose it and also write about the composer, the piece itself, the historical context, 

the characteristics of the era, genre, form, mode, timbre, or anything else that captures your interest.

Good sources will help you! Including class vocabulary is a bonus. 

3. Personal impressions and overall experience: Tell me about your personal reaction to the concert, 

the venue, the performance, and the event as a whole. This section can and should be highly subjective. 

What did you like or dislike? Why? Describe the experience, the audience and their reactions, and 

whatever else you like. It is not required that you loved the experience. Be honest

4. Classical music today: Based on your own impressions, and conversations you may choose to have 

with another audience member (see the Concert Etiquette and Report Prep Guide on Blackboard), 

include a statement about the relevance of this genre of music in our culture today and/or if it has any 

significance. Why do concerts like this exist? With all the music and technology in the world today, 

are live concerts of this type still supported, necessary, and valued? Again, this is freely subjective. You 

do not need to be in love with what you heard, but be more thoughtful than “I hated it” or “I loved it.”5. Program: What did you learn from the program that you did not know before? Did the information in 

the program help you to better enjoy/understand any aspect the concert? You need to read the program

to do this section!

Note: If you are attending a concert that uses the LiveNote app, then that is the program.

6. Bibliography: Cite all of your sources properly, both in-text and in your bibliography, according to 

the dictates of your preferred citation method.

There are many resources that can aid you with citations, including the Writing Center and online 

citation guides for MLA, APA, CMS etc.

Grading: Grammar and syntax count for more than they did with your Concert Proposal. This should be your best 

scholarly writing. If you struggle to write proper English, then please seek help either from a friend or from the 

writing center. 

Five points per day will be deducted for late work. You know your due date. Plan ahead.

Rubric: Your paper will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

“Aish” – highly effective, all sections present. Good use of terminology, visible attempts to draw connections and 

show insight. Sources properly cited. Superior grammar, spelling, syntax.

“Bish” – competent, some incomplete or weak sections. Missed opportunities to include musical vocabulary but 

attempt at insight. Clear prose, mostly correct grammar and syntax. 

“Cish” – adequate, passable completion of sections but lacking insight. Sources not properly documented, 

vocabulary missing. Poor writing style but the author’s main ideas are coherent. 

“Dish” – insufficient. Inadequate presentation. Lack of insightful analysis and missing sections. Factual 

inaccuracies/improper citations. Poor writing style and grammatical errors.

“F” – unacceptable. Very weak or nonexistent sections. Failure to complete requirements or show significant 

effort. Sources are undocumented and/or plagiarized. Severe writing deficiencies.

Read the Concert Etiquette and Report Prep Guide before you go!

Bronfman Plays Beethoven Friday, Feb. 12 8:00 PM