Download Music Homework Project 1 - Year 7

MUSIC HOMEWORK PROJECT 1: YEAR 7
PROGRAMME MUSIC - “THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE” (FANTASIA)
GENERAL INFORMATION
This project will allow you to show what you know about the ‘elements of music’ and the
orchestra whilst exploring one section of an animated film accompanied by a piece of
programme music.
The film Fantasia was produced by Walt Disney in 1940 and was created as an experiment
in combining animation and music. It consists of classical music presented against the
backdrop of animation and does not feature any dialogue. We are only going to look at one
section of this film.
“The Sorcerer's Apprentice” is a piece of programme music, written by French composer
Paul Dukas. The music is supposed to create images in the mind of the listener so the
story can be told. In the film Fantasia it is set against a spectacular 8-minute animated
sequence featuring Mickey Mouse. The story was originally an age-old fairy tale which
illustrates the dangers of power over wisdom.
The following information will give you ideas of what you can include as well as tell you
what you need to include to get the best mark possible.
YOUR
PROJECT MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
● A biography of the composer, Paul Dukas, including personal information as well as
information about the music he wrote. It would also be nice if this included a picture.
This should not be printed directly off the internet. You should put it in your own words.
● Information about his piece of music “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” including the date it
was composed and which group of instruments it was written for (the orchestration). You
can find lots of background information about the piece of music, and it’s use in the film
Fantasia on the internet. Make sure you read the information thoroughly.
● A synopsis (summary) OR a storyboard outlining the story that the music is portraying
throughout the piece of music so you are clear of the plot. Again, this should not be
printed directly off the internet.
● You then should write about the piece of music using the ‘elements of music’. Remember
to try and use the keywords (e.g. pitch, texture, duration etc) in the correct way. Also,
don’t forget to comment on specific instruments (e.g. bassoons) or groups of instruments
(e.g. the string family or the brass family). You can write your own opinions in this
paragraph and make sure you include anything that you found particularly effective.
Remember, the animation and the music are supposed to fit together as one i.e. the music
should reflect the action and the action should reflect the music. Do you think it is
effective? Has the composer managed to make the music tell the story?
Select a particular part (or parts) of the story and explain how the composer
has represented the action by using appropriate instruments and combining the
elements of music in a particular way. For example, at 1 minute, 40 seconds Mickey
Mouse casts a spell that brings his broom to life. The composer has represented
this by having the string instruments play short notes at a fast tempo. This makes
a swirling sound. The volume gradually increases. They stop suddenly once the spell
has been cast.
● A conclusion consisting of your opinions about the piece of music.
➢ Did you enjoy the story and /or the music?
➢ If you preferred either the music or the animation, why do you think this is?
➢ Do you think that the animation and the music fit together well?
➢ Do you think the composer has represented the story well?
➢ Is there any particular part which you think is represented very well? Why is
it so effective?
➢ Is there any particular part which you do not think is represented very well?
Why is it not very effective?
➢ Did you enjoy completing this project?
➢ Include any other points you wish to raise.
● A bibliography listing any resources you have used including books and website addresses.
RESOURCES:
● There is an animated version of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” on You Tube and on another
website:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuVsCRQkXvw&feature=related
http://www.videosift.com/video/The-Sorcerers-Apprentice-Fantasia
● We hope to make this available for you to access through Moodle or the public drive at
school. See me for more information about this.
● More useful websites:
General
http://www.filmsite.org/fant2.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasia_(movie)
http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/fantasia/#synopsis
http://members.tripod.com/~rosemck1/kids-corner.html
Paul Dukas
http://www.last.fm/music/Paul+Dukas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dukas
The Elements of Music
http://www.trinity.nottingham.sch.uk/music/year7/elements.htm
● If you search ‘Fantasia’, ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’, ‘Paul Dukas’, ‘Disney’ or a combination
of any of these in Google there are loads of websites listed with information that will help
you.
● I am also going to put more resources on Moodle to do with the ‘elements of music’,
instruments of the orchestra, Fantasia and programme music. Please make sure you look at
these before you start your project.
Good Luck!