Essay Topics in Music Studies
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Questions and Answers

What was the original purpose of the Eurovision competition?

  • To select the best original song for each country annually
  • To promote LGBTQ+ music artists across Europe
  • To serve as an experiment in transnational broadcasting (correct)
  • To provide a geopolitical platform for political discussions

Which of the following artists is NOT associated with Eurovision?

  • Måneskin
  • ABBA
  • David Lang (correct)
  • Celine Dion

What is the mission of Bang on a Can?

  • To host international music festivals every summer
  • To create television specials for mainstream pop stars
  • To promote new music to new audiences (correct)
  • To preserve traditional music genres for future generations

Which group is a performing ensemble associated with Bang on a Can?

<p>Bang on a Can All Stars (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes PC Music?

<p>It has a strong association with TikTok and mainstream pop. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of preparing a piano according to the content?

<p>To explore different musical colors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method influenced the composition process of J.Cage's 'Music of Changes'?

<p>I Ching divination methods (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the chance operation in J.Cage's composition involve?

<p>Coin tosses for various parameters (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ceremony inspired H.El-Dabh's 'Wire Recorder Piece'?

<p>Zār ceremony (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did H.El-Dabh take on to access the original recordings of the Zār ceremony?

<p>An attendee in disguise (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is described as the 'liberatory potential' of H.El-Dabh's work?

<p>To serve as an act of remembrance and a futurist vision (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Cage's notation is emphasized in his work?

<p>Indeterminate process leading to precise notation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the Zār ceremony as mentioned?

<p>It includes singing, dancing, and percussion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What motivates Jaufré Rudel to demand the Pilgrim take him to Clémence?

<p>His love for Clémence as conveyed through song (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the song the Pilgrim sings to Clémence?

<p>It is based on an actual troubadour song (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Jaufré upon meeting Clémence?

<p>He dies immediately (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which language is the original troubadour song that inspires Jaufré’s composition sung?

<p>Occitan (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrative function of the Pilgrim in the story?

<p>To carry messages and connect characters (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept that J. Cage aims to convey in 4'33”?

<p>Appreciation of natural sounds as music (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structural form is used in Sonata no. 5 from Sonatas and Interludes?

<p>Binary (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which emotional spectrum does J. Cage's Sonatas and Interludes aim to represent?

<p>Eight permanent emotions of Indian aesthetic theory (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of music is represented in the repertoire list?

<p>Both popular and art music (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technique does Cage utilize in Sonatas and Interludes to evoke certain emotions?

<p>Indeterminacy in rhythm (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of interludes in Sonatas and Interludes?

<p>To create contrast with the sonatas (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of piano technique is central to the concept of prepared piano in Cage's work?

<p>Introducing foreign objects to modify sound (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of music does Cage aim to challenge through his composition techniques?

<p>The perception of silence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a soundwalk according to Westerkamp?

<p>To listen to the environment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant awards did J.L. Adams' 'Become Ocean' win in 2014?

<p>Pulitzer and Grammy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what structural form is 'Become Ocean' composed?

<p>Palindrome (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a thematic focus of 'Become Ocean'?

<p>Impact of global warming on oceans (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of Meredith Monk's music as exemplified in 'Turtle Dreams'?

<p>Repetition and ostinati (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What inspired Meredith Monk's reflections on turtles in 'Turtle Dreams'?

<p>Strange dreams about her pet turtle (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which label released Meredith Monk's album 'Turtle Dreams'?

<p>ECM New Series (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does Pamela Z play in her artistic work?

<p>Composer-performer and media artist (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional theme is explored in the story based on Homer’s Odyssey?

<p>Identity and memory (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the discussion of the song 'Ki moun ou ye', what additional aspect does the question imply?

<p>Personal and cultural identity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the woman in the story reconnect with her husband?

<p>By reading him the Odyssey (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the song 'Ki moun ou ye' in reference to the listener?

<p>It asks about the past experiences of the listener (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation behind the songs written by N. Joachim?

<p>To express family and cultural heritage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which musical piece features a minimalist approach and is composed by Steve Reich?

<p>Music for 18 Musicians (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What genre does 'The Lotus Eaters' primarily represent?

<p>Experimental and contemporary (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which element relates to both 'Ki moun ou ye' and the themes discussed in the story based on Odyssey?

<p>Loss and recovery (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cage's 4'33"

A composition where the performer(s) make no sound, focusing on the duration of silence and ambient noises instead of actively producing music.

Indeterminacy in Music

A compositional approach where elements of the music are left open to chance or various interpretations.

Prepared Piano

A piano that has objects placed inside to produce unique sounds and timbres.

Sonatas & Interludes (Cage)

A set of 20 pieces for prepared piano, featuring sonatas in binary (AB) form and interludes.

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Binary Form

A musical form with two distinct sections (AB).

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Melodic Construction

The strategy of creating a melody (a sequence of notes).

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Musical Form

The structure or organization of a piece of music.

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Word-Music Relations

How words and music relate to each other.

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Music of Changes (Cage)

A solo piano composition using chance operations (coin tosses) to determine durations, tempi, dynamics, and sounds (pitches or silence) in a composition.

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Chance operations

Methods like coin tosses, dice rolls, or other random processes used in compositional choices.

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Precise notation (determinate work)

Detailed musical instructions, despite being created through an indeterminate process.

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Wire Recorder Piece (El-Dabh)

A piece derived from recorded zār ceremonies, manipulating the sounds electronically to represent the inner sound of singing bodies within the healing ceremony.

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Zār ceremony

A healing or exorcism ceremony in the Middle East and Horn of Africa, involving singing, dancing, and percussion.

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Liberatory Potential (El-Dabh)

A feature of Wire Recorder Piece, involving remembrance and a futuristic vision for modernization.

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Piano Preparation (Cage)

Experimentation with different colors or sounds a piano can create.

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Square Root Form

A 29 5/8 x 29 5/8 composition structure (Music of Changes).

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Troubadour

A medieval poet-musician, often composing and performing love songs in Occitan, a language spoken in Southern France and parts of Spain.

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Occitan

A Romance language that was spoken in the south of France, as well as in parts of Spain and Italy, during the Middle Ages. It is the origin of the language of the troubadours.

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Strophic Form

A musical form where sections (verses) of music are repeated with different lyrics or instrumentation.

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Spectral Music

A type of music characterized by the use of complex harmonic and timbre effects, often created by manipulating sounds electronically. It emphasizes the physical qualities of sound and creates an ethereal, spectral atmosphere.

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How does the setting affect you?

This question explores the emotional and aesthetic impact of a new musical setting, specifically when French-language lyrics are combined with a spectral instrumental texture.

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Soundwalk

A walk where the primary focus is listening to the sounds of the environment.

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Become Ocean

A musical composition by J.L. Adams that uses palindrome structure and explores the theme of rising ocean levels due to climate change.

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Palindrome Structure

A musical form where the second half of the piece is a mirror image of the first half, played in reverse order.

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Turtle Dreams (Monk)

A musical piece by Meredith Monk that reflects on her pet turtle's dreams and features characteristic elements of her music, like repetition and extended vocal techniques.

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Extended Vocal Techniques

Unusual ways of using the voice in music, beyond traditional singing, like humming, whispering, or making sounds with different parts of the mouth.

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Suite for Voice and Electronics (Z)

A work by Pamela Z featuring compositions for voice and electronic effects, highlighting pieces 'Typewriter' and 'Badagada'.

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Pamela Z

A multi-talented artist known as a composer-performer, improviser, vocalist, and media artist, recognized for work with voice and electronics.

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Music's Relationship with Ecology

The exploration of how music can reflect, comment on, or even influence environmental concerns.

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Ki moun ou ye

A Haitian Creole phrase meaning "Who are you?" that serves as a starting point for exploring identity and self-discovery.

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Code-Switching

The act of adjusting one's language or behavior to fit different social contexts.

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What are we without our grief, family, and homeland?

This question prompts reflection on how these fundamental elements shape our identity.

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Harnessing Knowledge

Using our understanding and experiences to shape our identity and take ownership of who we have become.

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Genres/Styles

The different musical categories, or styles, that a piece of music falls into.

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Compare/Contrast

Examining the similarities and differences between two musical pieces.

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Effective Delivery

How successfully a piece of music conveys its intended message or emotion.

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Snider Track

A musical piece likely by a musician named Snider, used as a point of reference to analyze and compare with "Ki moun ou ye" by N. Joachim.

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Cook & PC Music

A music label associated with mainstream pop, TikTok, and the LGBTQ+ community known for its unique sounds and aesthetics.

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Eurovision

A long-running international song competition where countries compete with original songs, voted on by juries and the public, known for its spectacle and political significance.

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Bang on a Can

A new music organization dedicated to promoting contemporary music to wider audiences, known for its annual Marathon concert and summer festival.

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What makes Cook & PC Music unique?

Cook & PC Music is known for its association with mainstream pop, TikTok, and the LGBTQ+ community. It emphasizes a distinctive sound and aesthetic that draws on elements of electronic music, experimental pop, and avant-garde approaches.

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What is Eurovision about?

Eurovision is a song competition with a political aspect. Nations compete with original songs, and the voting process involves both juries and the public. It's a platform for cultural exchange and soft power.

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Study Notes

Essay Topics

  • Global Cultural Contact Impacting Musical Creation: Different ways global cultural contact impacts musical creation worldwide. Factors facilitating this contact, including cultural, economic, and political elements. Composers' use of other cultures' musical practices in developing their own styles. Specific examples from at least three composers, representing two different continents.

  • Performers' Role in Music Making: Discuss three performers, ensembles, or music institutions. Include their performance practices and how these choices affect the understanding of the music. Note the performers' roles in creating or making older works relevant.

  • 20th Century Music Composition and Electronics: Describe composers' and performers' use, experimentation with, and resistance to electronics in music from the 1940s to the present. Consider how electronic music and related styles engage with race, gender, geopolitics, and identity. Provide examples from at least three composers/performers.

  • Music and Social/Political Awareness: Discuss how music is used to raise awareness of social and political issues. Relate music to social issues and politics. Describe specific musical techniques employed to achieve social and political engagement. Provide examples from at least three musicians, including one piece of popular music and one of art music.

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MHS 123 Essay Topics PDF

Description

Explore various essay topics that delve into the multifaceted world of music. These topics cover the impact of global cultural contact on musical creation, the role of performers in music interpretation, and the evolution of electronic music from the 1940s to the present. Each topic encourages an in-depth analysis of composers, performers, and their influences across different cultures and time periods.

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