MUS 161:  MUSIC HISTORY I
CONCERT REPORT GUIDELINES

Choose three concerts to attend, according to the following guidelines.
- One concert must feature instruments performing classical, not popular, repertoire.
- One concert must feature classical vocal music.
- One concert may feature non-classical music.
- All three concerts may feature classical music.
- One of the three concerts must be offered by the MTSU Department of Music.
- Student recitals are not to be used.
- Concerts in which you participate are not eligible.
- Concert Dates:  the concert discussed in the first report must occur less than one month prior to the due date; 
                        the concert discussed in the second report must occur after the due date of the first;
                        the concert discussed in the third report must occur after the due date of the second.

Basic Information: Who, What, Where, and When (and Why, if applicable). Who was performing? What was the event, and (especially) What were the performing media? When and Where was the event held? Why was the event held (any special reason)?

Critical Narrative: Write about the concert as though you were a critic: that is, deal with aspects of the concert that you consider most important or striking. Be sure--always--to concentrate on musical matters, although brief discussions of other aspects of the concert may be included. In the process, talk about the works performed, how they were presented, how well the performers presented the music, and what made the performances effective or ineffective. Try to employ the concepts and vocabulary you have learned in Music History I, if it can be done reasonably. The use of first-person narrative is fine. When writing about events that occurred at the concert, use the past tense. (Example: "Although the trombonist was quite good, I thought that she was far too loud to blend well with the others in her section.") But when writing about a particular musical composition or work of art, use the present tense. (Example: "In Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the fourth movement in C Major seems to serve as a triumphal conclusion to the struggle of the preceding three movements in C Minor.") Finally, I respond best to those reports that are honest and that show that you seriously engaged the music and performance.

Style: Compose your essay on scrap paper or a word processor. The final version should be done on a computer or typewriter.. Do not submit a handwritten report.

Length: Two-to-three full pages, double-spaced using 12-point font. Use the Concert Report form as a model or template.

Attachments: Attach the printed concert program to your report, if one was provided. If no printed program was provided, attach the ticket you purchased. If you received neither a printed program nor a ticket, provide the address and telephone number of the performance venue.

Percentage of Grade: Each Concert Report is worth 10% of your final grade.