Musicology of the 20th Century

Mid Term brief

You have been set the following brief for this module:

Contents: Seminar presentation

Length: 15 minutes

Additional Portfolio: 2000 word written paper and research folder

Submission: Student Desk / E16

Date: Hand-in 1pm 12th January 2009Presentations 12th/13th January 2009

This module has been concerned with the 20th century and Modernism, and you are therefore required to submit a paper on the following:

What is music?

Although the question appears simple, be sure to demonstrate that your work reflects and engages with the full range of ideas discussed during the module, and acknowledges key historical perspectives and developments. In answering this question, you may find it useful to consider the following statements:

‘If this word “music” is sacred and reserved for eighteenth and nineteenth century instruments, we can substitute a more meaningful term: organisation of sound.’ (Cage, 1937)

‘There is always something to see, something to hear. In fact, try as we may to make a silence, we cannot. Until I die there will be sounds. And they will continue after my death. One need not fear about the future of music. In musical terms, any sounds may occur in any combination and in any continuity.’ (Cage, 1957)

‘Mankind’s first musical performance couldn’t have been anything other than a free improvisation’ (Bailey, 1992)

For mid term, students will make a 10 minute presentation based on a 1000 word paper which needs to include the following:

The research carried out so far, including both visual and audio examples

An analysis of the research material gathered – i.e. why are your examples relevant and what do they mean?

Conclusions reached so far An outline of the research needed to complete the brief

by January

The presentation needs to make use of PowerPoint or Keynote, or an equivalent programme and the 1000 word paper needs to be handed in to me.

Don’t worry if you’ve not used PowerPoint before – now’s a good time to learn!

Mid terms need to be ready by 10am on Thursday 12th November

Any problems, book a tutorial