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Jazz Appreciation Concert Report Guidelines Spring 2012

General Suggestions:

• Each student is required to attend and review one pre-approved live jazz performance during the semester.
• An appropriate length for a college level concert report would be 2-3 pages typed (with standard spacing and font-1.5 space; 12 point font).
• Create a simple, clear, basic essay (theme). A starting guideline would be to restate the questions below as topic sentences for paragraphs that are supported with adequate development.
• One should begin with a clear thesis statement that is easily supported with factual research (not only personal opinion-which at an early stage of musical understanding may be inaccurate).
• Please organize statements into a logical, sequential flow.
• Consider using balanced statements for comparison (Comparison to recorded performances studied in class are excellent for this reference.)
• Support arguments with factual research and concrete documentation where appropriate (The text is useful for these references.)
• The instructor is looking for the student's ability to communicate concepts and to include (at least) the required minimum information.
• Covering the minimum requirements does not constitute an "A".
• Original creative thought or perspective may constitute an "A" if the ideas are well presented, organized, clear and supported.
• Use standard written English (avoid slang and conversational terms).
• Use proper punctuation and grammar.
• Describe the performance using past tense.
• Avoid first person references ("I") and personal opinion (except in the conclusion).

General things to include:

• Where did the performance take place?
• Who performed? (List the personnel)
• What was the instrumentation?
• How was the music presented? (in a refined concert setting or sloppily in a bar setting)

Pick one composition from the concert:

• Describe the melody in detail (smooth and flowing, jagged and disjointed, etc.).
• Describe the harmony in detail (textures, complexities, etc.).
• Describe the rhythm in detail (steady, broken, exciting, etc.).
• Do these elements compare to any of the compositions discussed in class or in the text?
• Create a map of the composition (showing the sequence of events).
• Describe one player's solo in detail (How was his character revealed? How did it develop? Which musical elements were used in that development?).
• Describe that soloists tone quality (for example) as well as other storytelling devices.
• Did this player's solo style compare to the solos of any of the musicians discussed in class or in the text?

In conclusion:

• What was most appealing to the listener in regards to this composition and its performance as a whole? (First person statements may be appropriate here.)
• Was there anything unappealing about this composition and its performance as a whole? (if not, there is no need to mention this)
• How did the music make the listener respond intellectually, emotionally and physically?
• What is the significance of this (spontaneously created art) music in relation to our current culture? What connection or role does it have in society?