HUM117 the arts the senses & the imagination

Engaging Music

The basic assignment: go to a concert write a description of your experience.

1. Write about the sensory aspect of the experience – the sound of the music.  How do they relate to our animal responses to sound?

2. Write about the imaginative dimension of the music – how does it create structures of itself in your mind?

3. Write about the social dimension of the music – the bodies gathered to listen and watch the musicians and each other.  Describe the concert space.  How does it contribute (or distract) from the listening experience?

Balance a mix of details and general observations & reactions; make it personal.  Don’t cut-and-paste program notes or stuff you find on the internet about the pieces. 

These questions are most easily answered in the context of a classical music concert.  See class notes for a list.

A+ = vivid writing that is emotionally engaging.

A = clear writing that conveys a good mix of detail and overview.

B = adequate writing that lacks detail or is missing an overall perspective.

C = generally adequate writing but incorrect or confusing use of terms

D = incomplete work; poor writing

F = does not meet standards for college work, but much better than zero points for the assignment

DC Meckler

Feb 2008

the arts the senses & the imagination