Download Program Notes Fall 2012

PHHS Concert Band
Program Notes – Fall Concert
Due Monday 10/29 (B), Tuesday 10/30 (A)
Assignment description:
o Write program notes for pieces we are playing on our Fall Concert
o Last name letters A-I: Jungle Dance, Brian Balmages
o Last name letters J-R: Red Balloon, Anne McGinty
o Last name letters S-Z: Through Darkened Sleepy Hollow, Erik Morales
o Typed, 1-2 paragraphs, 12 point font, Times New Roman
o Hand-written, 10-15 lines, college rule, no cursive
How you’ll be graded:
o This will be a homework grade worth a total of 100 points
o 40 points for content – the quality of what you have written
o 20 points for writing – the quality of your writing
o 20 points for assignment completion – whether you followed directions
o 20 points for a correctly formatted bibliography with correct sources
What makes good program notes?:
o Program notes should tell the audience (which is made up of non-musicians) something
about the piece they wouldn’t know by just listening to it. Examples include:
o BRIEF biography of the composer
o Information about the title of the piece
o Information about the melody, original instrumentation, formal structure, tempo,
or other musical aspect
o Information about the circumstances surrounding the piece
What makes bad program notes?:
o Plagiarism
o Wrong information
o Too wordy, not clear enough
Resources
o Internet – scholarly sources only and NO WIKIPEDIA
o Scores (get a copy from Mr. Schmitt)
o Books, especially encyclopedias
An example of good program notes:
Danzon is a well-recognized score written for string orchestra in 1944 by Leonard
Bernstein to accompany the ballet, Fancy Free. It has been adapted many times for string
orchestra and concert band. This part of the score is meant to convey the Latin flavor and flair of
Cuba. The “Danzon” is the official dance of Cuba. As such, the music centers on conflicting
statements from different parts of the band. The high woodwinds trade the theme with the
percussion and the low brass offer a countermelody that emerges throughout the piece. In most
of this piece, only two or three instruments are playing, giving the appearance that the band is
trading the theme around. The extremely abrupt transitions between melody and countermelody
coupled with contrasting dynamics and off beat rhythms help make the piece appear more
foreign.
Influenced by famous composers such as Gustav Mahler, Bernstein was famous for
writing the scores to musicals. By far his most famous work was the soundtrack from West Side
Story, composed in 1957. This particular musical premiered on April 18, 1944 with Bernstein
himself conducting. After writing scores to other famous works such as Candide, and Trouble in
Tahiti, Bernstein became known as a legendary American composer, and conductor of the New
York Philharmonic.
PHHS Wind Symphony
Program Notes – Fall Concert
Due Monday 10/29 (B), Tuesday 10/30 (A)
Assignment description:
o Write program notes for pieces we are playing on our Fall Concert
o Last name letters A-F: First Suite in E-flat, Gustav Holst
o Last name letters G-M: Ye Banks and Braes O Bonnie Doon, Percy Grainger
o Last name letters N-S: Three Ayres from Gloucester, Hugh Stuart
o Last name letters T-Z: Firework, Jan van der Roost
o Typed, 1-2 paragraphs, 12 point font, Times New Roman
o Hand-written, 10-15 lines, college rule, no cursive
How you’ll be graded:
o This will be a homework grade worth a total of 100 points
o 40 points for content – the quality of what you have written
o 20 points for writing – the quality of your writing
o 20 points for assignment completion – whether you followed directions
o 20 points for a correctly formatted bibliography with correct sources
What makes good program notes?:
o Program notes should tell the audience (which is made up of non-musicians) something
about the piece they wouldn’t know by just listening to it. Examples include:
o BRIEF biography of the composer
o Information about the title of the piece
o Information about the melody, original instrumentation, formal structure, tempo,
or other musical aspect
o Information about the circumstances surrounding the piece
What makes bad program notes?:
o Plagiarism
o Wrong information
o Too wordy, not clear enough
Resources
o Internet – scholarly sources only and NO WIKIPEDIA
o Scores (get a copy from Mr. Schmitt)
o Books, especially encyclopedias
An example of good program notes:
Danzon is a well-recognized score written for string orchestra in 1944 by Leonard Bernstein
to accompany the ballet, Fancy Free. It has been adapted many times for string orchestra and concert
band. This part of the score is meant to convey the Latin flavor and flair of Cuba. The “Danzon” is the
official dance of Cuba. As such, the music centers on conflicting statements from different parts of the
band. The high woodwinds trade the theme with the percussion and the low brass offer a
countermelody that emerges throughout the piece. In most of this piece, only two or three instruments
are playing, giving the appearance that the band is trading the theme around. The extremely abrupt
transitions between melody and countermelody coupled with contrasting dynamics and off beat
rhythms help make the piece appear more foreign.
Influenced by famous composers such as Gustav Mahler, Bernstein was famous for writing
the scores to musicals. By far his most famous work was the soundtrack from West Side Story,
composed in 1957. This particular musical premiered on April 18, 1944 with Bernstein himself
conducting. After writing scores to other famous works such as Candide, and Trouble in Tahiti,
Bernstein became known as a legendary American composer, and conductor of the New York
Philharmonic.
PHHS Percussion Class
Program Notes – Fall Concert
Due Monday 10/29 (B), Tuesday 10/30 (A)
Assignment description:
o Write program notes for any ONE of the pieces you are playing on our Fall Concert
o Wind Symphony: First Suite in E-flat, Gustav Holst; Three Ayres from Gloucester,
Hugh Stuart; Firework, Jan van der Roost
o Concert Band: Jungle Dance, Brian Balmages; Red Balloon, Anne McGinty;
Through Darkened Sleepy Hollow, Erik Morales
o Typed, 1-2 paragraphs, 12 point font, Times New Roman
o Hand-written, 10-15 lines, college rule, no cursive
How you’ll be graded:
o This will be a homework grade worth a total of 100 points
o 40 points for content – the quality of what you have written
o 20 points for writing – the quality of your writing
o 20 points for assignment completion – whether you followed directions
o 20 points for a correctly formatted bibliography with correct sources
What makes good program notes?:
o Program notes should tell the audience (which is made up of non-musicians) something
about the piece they wouldn’t know by just listening to it. Examples include:
o BRIEF biography of the composer
o Information about the title of the piece
o Information about the melody, original instrumentation, formal structure, tempo,
or other musical aspect
o Information about the circumstances surrounding the piece
What makes bad program notes?:
o Plagiarism
o Wrong information
o Too wordy, not clear enough
Resources
o Internet – scholarly sources only and NO WIKIPEDIA
o Scores (get a copy from Mr. Schmitt)
o Books, especially encyclopedias
An example of good program notes:
Danzon is a well-recognized score written for string orchestra in 1944 by Leonard Bernstein
to accompany the ballet, Fancy Free. It has been adapted many times for string orchestra and concert
band. This part of the score is meant to convey the Latin flavor and flair of Cuba. The “Danzon” is the
official dance of Cuba. As such, the music centers on conflicting statements from different parts of the
band. The high woodwinds trade the theme with the percussion and the low brass offer a
countermelody that emerges throughout the piece. In most of this piece, only two or three instruments
are playing, giving the appearance that the band is trading the theme around. The extremely abrupt
transitions between melody and countermelody coupled with contrasting dynamics and off beat
rhythms help make the piece appear more foreign.
Influenced by famous composers such as Gustav Mahler, Bernstein was famous for writing
the scores to musicals. By far his most famous work was the soundtrack from West Side Story,
composed in 1957. This particular musical premiered on April 18, 1944 with Bernstein himself
conducting. After writing scores to other famous works such as Candide, and Trouble in Tahiti,
Bernstein became known as a legendary American composer, and conductor of the New York
Philharmonic.