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WebQuest Page
BACK TO THE
MUSICAL FUTURE
Grade: High School
Subject: MUSIC
Curricular Goal: HISTORY OF MUSIC
Introduction:
You are a music critic for the Chicago Tribune. Lucky for you, you can
GO BACK IN TIME. Your column relies on your ability to accurately report on the
historical and social aspects of the performance.
Task:
You are to choose one of the following scenarios.
1. First performance of Handel's
"Messiah"
2. Early performance "Rhapsody in
Blue"-Gershwin
3. First performance of Beethoven's 9th
Symphony
4. First performance of Stravinsky's
"Rite of Spring"
5. Duke Ellington performing at the Cotton
Club
6. Performance of Sousa's "Washington
Post" March
7. Cage's 4' 33''
You should find the following pieces of information
1. Setting (Time, Date, Location, Musical
Period, Performance Venue) Be Specific!
2. Performers (pros/amateur, class status)
3. Instruments (number and types of
instruments)
4. Audience (social class, size and number of
members)
5. Audience's Reaction to music (if
applicable)
6. Conductor (what was his role if any, who
was it)
7. 2 additional interesting facts about
the piece or the performance
Process:
1. Browse the various music history sites to
obtain this information.
2. Find liner notes of recordings (some
available on the internet)
3. Read other concert reviews or magazines for
info.
4. Find recordings at the library, home, or on
the net to give you added insight.
Resources:
For Handel's Messiah
Another
Ellington Webquest
"If I hear a sigh of pleasure from the dance floor, it becomes
part of our music"-Ellington
Evaluation:
Yeah, I'll bet you have a lot of notes, and information now,
but it's time now to synthesize what you have learned into an article that the Tribune
would actually publish. We want readers to know about this performance or
group! Make it exciting and a good read. Paint the picture for them so that
they can imagine they were there. Don't just state the facts, anyone can do
that. You're writing a column, sell it to your readers so that they want to come
back.
Authors: Josh Thompson, Rick Lowe, David Holdhusen, Russ Vinick
Created: October 8, 1999
