Remaining Classes

This is just a quick reminder that the remainder of the semester is as follows:

Tuesday, April 27th:

8:00am - Performance Report 2 DUE (Turnitin.com and class blog)

8:30-9:45am - Exam 3 Questions Distributed for Take-Home Exam, Course Evaluations

Thursday, April 29th:

8:30-9:45am - Make-up Video Watching of Language You Cry In (optional class)

Tuesday, May 11th:

11:59pm - Exam 3 DUE on Turnitin.com

11:59pm - Extra Credit blog posts DUE on class blog

no exam during scheduled exam period

Extra Credit Blog Posts

You may receive credit for up to five of the below extra credit blog posts. Blog posts are due Tuesday, May 11th at 11:59pm on your class blog.

UT-Dallas Spring Arts Festival
Write a 300-word performance report post for each Spring Festival event you attend (from the options below). Be sure to mention the music itself (using music vocabulary), the performers/performance, audience, and time/space. NOTE: You may not write about an event in which you performed!

FRIDAY 4/30 - TIME - SPACE
Musica Nova - 8:00 pm - Performance Hall

SATURDAY 5/1
Voice/Senior Honors recitals - 2:00 pm - University Theatre

Piano Solo Recital - 4:00pm - Performance Hall
Piano Courses - 6:00 pm - Performance Hall
Composition Courses - 8:00 pm - Performance Hall

THURSDAY 5/6
Guitar Courses - 7:00 pm - Performance Hall
String Orchestra - 7:30 pm - University Theatre

FRIDAY 5/7
Beginning Voice - 6:00 pm - Performance Hall
Electric Guitar/Jazz Band - 7:30 pm - Performance Hall
Novis - 8:30 pm - Performance Hall

SATURDAY 5/8
Wind Ensemble - 4:00 pm - Performance Hall
Choral Concert - 8:00 pm - University Theatre

Mariachi in DFW

Write a 300-word post for each mariachi event which addresses the aspects of music performance (music itself, performer/performance, audience, time/space) as well as answers the following question: What does this event tell us about mariachi in Dallas/Fort Worth today? (For example: Are new instruments being introduced? What is the target audience?) Below is a list of approved events. If you have any recommendations for events, please leave a comment to this post with details and a website if possible. I will update as I learn of more events.

Friday Nights at La Mexicana Restaurant (7:30-9:30pm) in Duncanville

Saturday, May 1st - Cinco de Mayo in the West End - FREE
12:00pm - 12:30 pm: Bryan Adams HS Mariachi Band
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Mariachi 90
Note: The DART Rail has a stop in the West End

Wednesday, May 5th (start around 5pm) - Cinco de Mayo at Mattitos Restaurant in Dallas
*This is an approximate time since the Mariachi bands will perform as well as a salsa band in the evening. The mariachi band will stay for 2 hours but their exact time has yet to be established.

Dallas area restaurant - El Ranchito's website shows daily mariachi bands, but you might call ahead before dining to be find out what time the mariachi bands perform.

Mariachi Videos and Resources

Linda Ronstadt's Website with videos and information.

NPR: Mexican Musicians Attract Mariachi Fans on Web Site

NPR: Mariachi Punk: The Bonx at Home in L.A.

NPR: Mariachi Gives Students Home for the Future

Last Music Culture Blog Post (due 8am Tuesday, April 20)

In preparation for the lecture on Rock music cultures, write a 200-300-word blog post which does the following:

1) Introduces the elements of one subgenre of Rock (see pages 352-353 for a sample list of elements). When compiling your list, consider the unique elements of this subgenre. You may tie in the elements of music culture as well as music performance for ideas.

2) Gives an example of this rock subgenre with a Listening Guide (see Listening Guides in your textbook for examples) which guides the reader through the song.

Side Show: The Musical (Required Performance for Performance Report 2)

As noted in your syllabus (see Grading Policy with assignment descriptions and required on-campus events and the course calendar), the class is required to attend the on-campus production of Side Show: The Musical for Performance Report 2. Performances are 8pm on Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays for the next 2 weeks. (April 8-10 and 15-17) For more information, click here.

If you cannot attend this performance, please email me immediately or speak with me before/after class.

Extra Credit Blog Post (due Tuesday, April 20th at 8am)

We spoke last class about the post 1943 being a reflection on society. Post a 200-300-word blog post which examines Side Show: The Musical and discusses how this musical reflects society today. (Since this performance is for a college audience, please focus on this specific "society.") Keep in mind that this blog post is separate from your Performance Report 2 and should not address the four aspects of music performance.

Note: Anyone may participate in this extra credit regardless of previous extra credit posts.

Music Culture Blog Post 11 (due Tuesday, April 13)

In place of the textbook reading on "African-American Music," please read and watch the following online material on the Gullah people of South Carolina and Georgia and complete the following blog activity.

Reading/Viewing:
- "Introduction" The Gullah: Rice, Slavery, and the Sierra Leone-American Connection
- "The Origin of the Gullah"
- "Gullah Customs and Traditions"
- "The Gullah Today"
- "Conclusion"
- "A Gullah Song in Mende"
- Gullah Island

- Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival


Blog Post 11
From the above reading and watching, write a 200-300-word post introducing the music culture of the Gullah people. To provide a general overview, you may include the aspects of music culture (ideas, activities, repertoires, and material culture) as well as aspects of music performance (music, performers, audience, time/space) from the above YouTube examples as well as up to one example of your choosing. As is the case with any blog post, avoid any and all evaluation of this music culture or the information above.

Note: This is not required for this blog post, be sure to read other students' blog posts for this assignment before coming to class on Thursday, April 15th. Although our discussion of music cultures will change from Tuesday to Thursday, several issues will be consistent between the discussions.

Extra Credit Blog Posts

You may receive credit for up to one blog post based on the events below. Be sure to address all aspects of "music performance" (music, performers, audience, and time/space) in 200-300 words.

1. University Idol - April 5th 6pm-11pm

2. KARAOKE NIGHT @ THE PUB - April 6th 6-8pm

3. International Talent Show - April 9th 7-9pm

4. Indian Classical Music Circle Performance in Jonsson Performance Hall - April 10th 7pm