Music Appreciation Final Project

Choose a piece of music from any genre or time period and provide an in-depth explanation of
the piece in writing and through an oral presentation.
Analysis (Essay)
Length: 34 pages
o Typed
o 1 margins
o Double-spaced
o Times New Roman
o 12-point font
High school-level writing, including proper capitalization, punctuation, and grammar
Using appropriate musical terminology, discuss the following:
o Instrumentation
o Form
o Mode
o Meter
o Tempo
o Dynamics
o Other musical elements
Due: Share with me through GoogleDrive by the final exam (January 10 at 7:45 a.m.)
Presentation
Length: 510 minutes
Play excerpts from your piece to demonstrate the points you are making.
You may play additional musical examples as needed (for example, to show how your
piece is similar to or different from another piece or to indicate similarities/differences
between multiple arrangements/versions of a piece).
You may include visuals.
You may discuss connections to history and culture and discuss technology that might
have made the piece possible.
Be prepared to answer questions from peers and/or teacher.
Due: You will present during the final exam time slot on January 10.

Please refer to the Suggested Time Line for Project Completion (on reverse) for guidelines to
help you pace yourselves with this assignment. You will have class time to work on this, but feel
free to spend as much time as needed outside of class.
I will use the attached rubric to score your analysis and presentation.

Suggested Time Line for Project Completion

Monday, December 19
Listen to explanation of assignment
Ask questions
Brainstorm ideas for piece
Tuesday, December 20 in C16 computer lab
Choose piece
Work on music terminology part of essay (this can be in a list for now)
Wednesday, December 21 in C16 computer lab
Start to form sentences, paragraphs
Thursday, December 22 in C16 computer lab
Continue writing
Friday, December 23 in C16 computer lab
Peer edit

{Winter Break}
Tuesday, January 3 in C16 computer lab
Make revisions based on edits
Wednesday, January 4 in C16 computer lab
Editing and revision conference with Ms. Legman
When waiting for your turn with teacher, work on presentation
Thursday, January 5 in C16 computer lab
Prepare listening excerpts
Take notes (index cards are available) on info you will share
Friday, January 6 in C16 computer lab
Practice presenting (speak slowly, clearly) by yourself or with peer
January 69
Complete any unfinished parts of the project for homework
Essay is due via GoogleDrive on January 10 at 7:45 a.m., presentation will take place
during exam time slot on January 10

Essay
Writing
Quality

Essay
Music
Terminology

1 - Below Standard

2 - Developing

3 - Proficient

4 - Excellent

Essay is poorly written and

includes many mechanical
errors in the areas of
grammar, punctuation,
capitalization, or spelling.
Essay is longer or shorter
than the required length.
Student explains few of the
musical elements of the
piece. Explanation may lack
musical terminology, or
student may use terms
incorrectly.

Essay is somewhat poorly written

and includes some mechanical
errors in the areas of grammar,
punctuation, capitalization, or
spelling. Essay may be longer or
shorter than the required length.

Essay is moderately well-written

and includes few or no
mechanical errors in the areas of
grammar, punctuation,
capitalization, or spelling. Essay
may be slightly longer or shorter
than the required length.
Student uses musical terminology
to explain the instrumentation,
form, mode, meter, tempo, and
dynamics of the piece. Student
uses all terms correctly.

Essay is very well-written and

includes no mechanical errors in
the areas of grammar,
punctuation, capitalization, or
spelling. Essay is the required
length.

Student is somewhat prepared.

Presentation is organized
somewhat logically but may be
slightly longer or shorter than the
required amount of time. Student
may speak too quickly or make
minimal eye contact with
audience.

Student demonstrations
preparation. Presentation is
organized in a logical sequence
and lasts for the required amount
of time. Student projects voice
and speaks clearly, making eye
contact with audience.

Student demonstrations
exceptional preparation.
Presentation is organized in a
logical sequence and lasts for the
required amount of time. Student
projects voice and speaks clearly,
making eye frequent contact with
audience.

Student plays an excerpt from the

piece that is loosely connected to
the musical elements being
discussed. Excerpt may be too
long or short.

Student plays excerpts from the

piece to illustrate the musical
elements being discussed.
Excerpts are an appropriate
length and relate to the
presentation.

Student uses musical terminology

to explain some of the following
musical elements of the piece:
instrumentation, form, mode,
meter, tempo, dynamics. Student
uses some terms correctly.

Student uses musical terminology

to explain the instrumentation,
form, mode, meter, tempo, and
dynamics of the piece. Terms are
used correctly.

In addition to playing excerpts

from the piece, student enhances
presentation by integrating
additional music. This may
include playing excerpts from
related pieces, playing other
arrangements of the piece, or
personally performing the piece
for our class.
Student uses musical terminology
to explain the instrumentation,
form, mode, meter, tempo,
dynamics, and other musical
elements of the piece. Terms are
used correctly.

PRE
Presentation Student demonstrations a
lack of preparation.
Presentation Presentation is disorganized
Skills
and lasts for longer or
shorter than the required
amount of time. Student is
difficult to hear or
understand and lacks eye
contact with audience.
Presentation Excerpts are not related to
the rest of the presentation.
Listening
Excerpts are too long or
Excerpt(s)
short or missing from
presentation.

Presentation Student explains few of the

musical elements of the
Music
piece. Terminology may be
Terminology used incorrectly.

Student uses musical terminology

to explain some of the following
musical elements of the piece:
instrumentation, form, mode,
meter, tempo, dynamics. Student
uses some terms correctly.

Student uses musical terminology

to explain the instrumentation,
form, mode, meter, tempo,
dynamics, and other musical
elements of the piece. Student
uses all terms correctly.