Maine Learning Results
Visual and Performing Arts
Assessment 		 
  C. Criticism and Aesthetics
Explain and justify personal aesthetic criteria for critiquing a work of art.(Maine Learning Results) (National Standards for Music Education)		  
     
  "In no other field of study is the proof of the fundamentals as difficult as it is in music. Science argues with mathematics and logic; poetry possesses the decisive, golden word; other arts have chosen nature as their arbiter, borrowing forms from her. Music however, is a poor orphan whose father and mother nobody can name. But, perhaps, it is precisely this mystery of her origin, which accounts for the charm of her beauty.....Aesthetics is generally defined as the philosophy or study of the beautiful. Musical aesthetics therefore should be the study of beautiful music, the ultimate goal of such a study being the establishment of criteria, which would allow us to say whether, or why one particular composition is beautiful while another is not. The main objection to such a view is that beauty is by no means the only (and probably not even the foremost) criterion of what might be roughly describes as 'quality' or 'artistic value'. .....Therefore, a better definition such as the following provides a better basis for the study in question: Music aesthetics is the study of the relationship of music to the human senses and intellect." Harvard Dictionary of Music  
   
  Task: Write a Critique or Review of a Musical Production. (Maine Learning Results A: 6, 8)(Maine Learning Results B:1,2) ( Maine Learning Results C: 1,2,3)
(National Standards for Music Education, Content Standard 6: A,B,D,F) (National Standards for Music Education, Content Standard 7:A,B,C)		  
    Requirements: Complete the following four sections on a word processor.  
     
  • Research: Find and read music critiques or reviews from a newspaper, periodical, or the Internet. Follow the link to the Broadway Musical Web Quest worksheet. Answer the questions on your word processor.

  
       
     
  • Performance: We will critique Winslow High School's Fall Musical. If you performed in the musical yourself, you must choose any other professional, amateur, college, or high school musical production to critique. This unit will be due the week of Mid-Term Exams.
  
     
  • Notes: On your word processor answer the questions on the notes page. Be thorough, these notes will help you construct your Review.
  
     
  • Write the Critique:Using the information gathered above, type a one to two page "Review" of the performance as though you were writing for the "New York Times". Your objective is to try to convince the reader to attend the next performance or dissuade them from attending in the future. You need to give your opinions on the performance but you must back up your opinions with musical terminology and facts. After reading your critique, I should understand clearly what type of musical was performed and the quality of the performance. Remember, you must always temper criticism with tact, positive reinforcement, and selective criticism (choosing one or two main concern rather than a deluge of negative comments.)
 
   
           
      If you have any questions Email me at bhutchinson@winslowk12.org    
           
     
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Implementation of this Unit into the Curriculum.

  • This Unit will be a second quarter project.
  • Students will attend the Fall Musical Production presented by our school or any other Musical.
  • The Definitions worksheet will be assigned the second week of the second quarter and turned in.
  • The Web Quest page will be assigned the fourth week of the quarter, checked and turned back to the students.
  • Notes on the Show will be due two weeks before Mid term Exams.
  • The finished Musical Review will be due the last class before Mid Terms.
   
   

   
           
           
   

  

    
           
           
   
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bhutchinson@winslowk12.org
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