Classical Music Essay

please watch the video of Copland’s Hoe Down using the provided link and write a musical description of the piece in approximately 400 words using the Materials of Music in your textbook as a guide. Below are several questions that I would like you to answer briefly. Of course, you can expand upon these questions as needed and, while I don’t expect you to know all of the answers, I do expect you to make educated guesses and, most importantly, write in your own words.

Please write in full sentences and write more creatively than just providing simple answers. Begin the essay with an introductory sentence or paragraph and finish with a concluding sentence or paragraph.

Submit your essay using the Assignment link below.

Melody

Would you say the opening melody of this song uses conjunct or disjunct motion? Is this opening melody the only melody in the piece? If not, is it repeated anywhere else in the piece?

Rhythm

Tap your foot to the basic pulse of the piece – although the pulse stays mostly the same throughout the piece, it is particularly clear at about 45 seconds into the piece in the bass line of the piano. Does this pulse seem to be based on a duple rhythmic pattern (patterns of 2 or 4) or a triple rhythmic pattern (patterns of 3)? You may find this difficult but give it your best shot. There is also a lot of syncopation in this piece. For example, from about 2:00-2:05 when the trumpet has a solo moment, can you hear what instrument(s) clearly plays off the beat? Can you find other examples of syncopation?

Harmony

Would you classify the overall harmonies of the piece as consonant or dissonant? Can you explain why? Classical Music Essay

Texture

Do you think the texture of the song is monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic, or some combination of the three? Using the descriptions in your textbook, explain your choice.

Dynamics

Using the dynamics listed on p. 31 of your textbook, how would you describe the dynamics of the piece? Does the piece maintain one dynamic or does it change?

Form

Is the form of the piece clear? There are several small sections to this piece, but is there an overall sense of structure? How are the terms repetition, contrast, and variation apparent in the piece? (see p. 26 in your textbook) For example, how do you hear these three terms used in the first 2:00 of the piece?

Instrumentation

What type of ensemble is used for the performance? What instruments stand out to you as most prominent?

History (this will require a tiny amount of research – please acknowledge your sources and please use something other than wikipedia).

When did Copland live? What were his birth and death years?
During which musical period did he live?

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MUS 233 Written Assignment Rubric

	Developing (1 pt.)	Novice (2 pts.)	Intermediate (3 pts.)	Advanced (4 pts.)	Mastery (5 pts.)
Length/Detail/ Organization â 17%	The essay is below 150 words. The prose shows a serious lack of preparation and effort . There are serious problems with the organization and/or sequence of thoughts.	The essay clearly lacks the detail and length to answer the question(s) and/or address the topic(s) completely. The prose is not thoughtful and/or concise. There are definite problems with the organization and/or sequence of thoughts. Classical Music Essay	The essay is lacks the detail and length to answer the question(s) and/or address the topic(s) completely. The prose occasionally is thoughtful and concise. Thoughts are somewhat organized and/or presented in a somewhat logical and convincing manner.	The essay is of sufficient detail and length to answer the question(s) and/or address the topic(s) for the most part. The prose is somewhat thoughtful and concise. Thoughts are fairly well organized and presented in a fairly logical and convincing manner.	The essay is of sufficient detail and length to completely answer the question(s) and/or address the topic(s). The prose is very thoughtful and concise. Thoughts are clearly organized and presented in a logical and convincing manner.
Spelling/Grammar â 15%	The problems with grammar and/or spelling make the essay very difficult to read.	The essay contains numerous grammatical and/or spelling errors.	The essay contains several grammatical and/or spelling errors.	The essay is nearly free of grammatical and/or spelling errors.	The essay is free of any grammatical and/or spelling errors.
Originality/Use of Own Thoughts and Words – 17%	The essay primarily duplicates words and phrases used in the text, the videos, or other sources rather than the original thoughts of the author.	The essay lacks originality and/or creativity. The student fails to use their own thoughts and words rather than duplicating words and phrases used in the text, the videos, or other sources.	The essay lacks originality and/or creativity. The student fails to use their own thoughts and words rather than duplicating words and phrases used in the text, the videos, or other sources.	The essay shows some originality and creativity. The student primarily uses their own thoughts and words rather than duplicating words and phrases used in the text, the videos, or other sources.	The essay clearly shows originality and outstanding creativity. The student consistently uses their own thoughts and words rather than duplicating words and phrases used in the text, the videos, or other sources.
Addressing Subject Matter â 17%	The student fails to address the topics of the unit and the subject matter of the assignment and/or is not complete. Classical Music Essay	The content of the essay does not adequately address the topics of the unit and/or the subject matter.	Much of the essay contains language that does not address the topics of the unit orthe subject matter of the assignment.	The student addresses the topics of the unit and the subject matter of the assignment at a good level and is fairly complete.	The student addresses the topics of the unit and the subject matter of the assignment directly and completely.
Content Quality â 17%	Responses show little or bi understanding of topics presented in class materials. Musical and historical concepts have little or no relationship to the musical pieces and techniques discussed in class. The overall quality of the response is one of the weakest in the class. Opinions or preferences that are stated are not supported by arguments and/or statements. Classical Music Essay	Responses by and large do not consistently show understanding of topics presented in class materials. Musical and historical concepts are not utilized and are not applied to the musical pieces and techniques discussed in class. The overall quality of the response is below average. Opinions or preferences that are stated are usually not supported by arguments and/or statements.	Responses do not consistently show understanding of topics presented in class materials. Musical and historical concepts are not frequently utilized and usually are not applied to the musical pieces and techniques discussed in class. The overall quality of the response is average at best. Any opinions or preferences that are stated are not always supported by arguments and/or statements.	Responses show understanding of topics presented in class materials. Musical and historical concepts are utilized and somewhat are applied to the musical pieces and techniques discussed in class. The overall quality of the response is one of the better ones in the class. Any opinions or preferences that are stated are somewhat supported by arguments and/or statements.	Responses show mastery of topics presented in class materials. Musical and historical concepts are utilized and effectively applied to the musical pieces and techniques discussed in class. The overall quality of the response is one of the very best in the class. Any opinions or preferences that are stated are very effectively supported by compelling arguments or statements.
Follow Up Replies and Comments â 17%	There are not two replies to the essays or responses of fellow students and/or are not positive, professional, and are not supportive of other students. The reply shows no reflection on class topics and does not go beyond mere agreement, disagreement, or discussion of facts that are apparent to everyone.	There are not two good replies to the essays or responses of fellow students and/or are usually not positive, professional, or are not supportive of other students. The reply shows little or no reflection on class topics and does not go beyond mere agreement, disagreement, or discussion of facts that are apparent to everyone. Classical Music Essay	There are not two good replies to the essays or responses of fellow students and/or at times are not positive, professional, or are not supportive of other students. The reply shows little reflection on class topics and usually does not go beyond mere agreement, disagreement, or discussion of facts that are apparent to everyone.	There are two good replies to the essays or responses of fellow students. The replies are mostly positive, professional, and supportive of other students and are thoughtful in order to stimulate further thought and/or discussion on the part of the author. The reply shows some reflection on class topics and for the most part, goes beyond mere agreement, disagreement, or discussion of facts that are apparent to everyone	There are at least two quality replies to the essays or responses of fellow students. The replies are positive, professional, and supportive of other students and are sufficiently thoughtful and complete in order to stimulate further thought and/or discussion on the part of the author. The reply effectively and thoughtfully shows reflection on class topics and goes far beyond mere agreement, disagreement, or discussion of facts that are apparent to everyone.

Score: _______/100