ROSSHALL ACADEMY

FACULTY OF PERFORMING ARTS

S4 MUSIC
UNDERSTANDING MUSIC
TOPIC 2: HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Name _____________________

Class__________

ASSIGNMENT 1: THE BAROQUE PERIOD

RESEARCH TASK 1: Baroque Facts
During the Baroque period, composers were usually employed through the patronage
system:

(a) Write down a brief description of what the patronage system was:

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(b) How do you think the patronage system may have affected the musical output of
composers?

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Baroque is a term that applies to the visual arts too. Look at some examples of
Baroque architecture and use two different adjectives to describe this style of
architecture:

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Write down the name of a famous building from the Baroque era:

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RESEARCH TASK 2: Dido & Aeneas

Dido and Aeneas is an opera composed during the Baroque period.

Who composed this opera, when was he born, and what nationality was he?

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Find out about Didos character and the part she plays in the opera. Write down one
or two sentences about her story:

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Go into the shared folder for S4 Music OR the school website, click on HOMEWORK
FILES and then open the listening file or click the YouTube link for Dido and Aeneas.
Listen to the ARIA When I Am Laid in Earth and ensure that you can hear the following
concepts (look up their meanings first if you need to):

SOPRANO MELISMA GROUND BASS HARPSICHORD

OCTAVE LEAP MINOR TONALITY DOTTED RHYTHMS CHROMATICISM

What is the TIME SIGNATURE of this aria?______________________

Circle the TEMPO at which the aria is performed: ADAGIO / ANDANTE / ALLEGRO

ASSIGNMENT 2: THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

RESEARCH TASK 1: Classical Facts
During the Classical period, fewer composers were employed under the patronage
system. What effect might this have had on the musical output of Classical
composers?

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Write down the name of an artist from the Classical period (make sure you are finding
about the 18th Century Classical era!) and the title of one of his paintings:

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Write down the name of a famous building from the Classical era:

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Look at and compare examples of Classical and Baroque architecture - how do they
differ from each other?
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RESEARCH TASK 2: The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro is an opera composed during the Classical period.

Who composed this opera, when was he born, and what nationality was he?

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Name the character who sings the ARIA Voi Che Sapete in the opera, describe the role
that this character plays and explain what is unusual about this character & aria (you
may need to listen first!):

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Go into the shared folder for S4 Music OR the school website, click on HOMEWORK
FILES and then open the listening file or click the YouTube link for Voi Che Sapete.
Listen to this aria and ensure that you can hear the following concepts (look up their
meanings first if you need to):

MEZZO SOPRANO MELISMA PIZZICATO ARPEGGIO

MAJOR TONALITY IMPERFECT CADENCE SEQUENCE OBOE

What is the TIME SIGNATURE of this aria?______________________

Circle the TEMPO at which the aria is performed: ADAGIO / ANDANTE / ALLEGRO

ASSIGNMENT 3: THE ROMANTIC PERIOD

RESEARCH TASK 1: Romantic Facts

Find out about what was happening in science / the other arts / technology during the Romantic
period. Write down three things below:
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From where / what did composers from the Romantic period take their inspiration? How did this
affect the music that they composed?

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In what ways did Romantic composers demonstrate Nationalism?

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RESEARCH TASK 2: Exploring Programme Music

(1) The Hebrides Overture by Mendelssohn is a piece of Programme Music - find out what is meant
by PROGRAMME MUSIC.

What was the Mendelssohns inspiration for this piece? What was he trying to convey when he
composed it?

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Go into the shared folder for S4 Music OR the school website, click on HOMEWORK FILES and
then open the listening file or click the YouTube link for Hebrides Overture.
Listen to the excerpt and then write down THREE concepts that you can hear and explain how
you think they help to convey Mendelssohns intentions.

CONCEPT EFFECT CREATED

(2) The Flight of the Bumble Bee is by Rimsky Korsakov. No prizes for guessing what this piece is
about!!

Go into the shared folder for S4 Music OR the school website, click on click on HOMEWORK FILES
and then open the listening file or click the YouTube link for Flight of the Bumble Bee.
Listen to the excerpt and then write down THREE concepts that you can hear and explain how
you think they help to convey Rimsky Korsakovs intentions.

CONCEPT EFFECT CREATED

ASSIGNMENT 4: THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

POPULAR MUSIC STYLES: RESEARCH PROJECT
There are many styles of music that are recognised as being Twentieth Century styles,
although some of them have their origins in music prior to this time. Below is a list of
popular music styles that you should already know:

COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2
GOSPEL RAP
JAZZ REGGAE
RAGTIME ROCK
SWING ROCKNROLL
BLUES CELTIC ROCK
A STYLE OF YOUR CHOICE!

Part of the outcome for the Understanding Music Unit is that learners will:

Recognise and identify music concepts and styles by identifying and analysing the
social and cultural influences which have influenced the distinctive sounds and
structures of specific musical styles.

RESEARCH TASK
You are going to research the history of FOUR of these styles in the table above. You should
use a range of sources to help you to carry out your research, e.g. the internet / books / your
parents knowledge. You can choose the four styles that you want to study, but you must
select TWO from each column. Your aim is to present the following information:

Give a definition of each style, explaining what the main features / concepts of the
style are;
Explain when each style originated and how it developed;
Identify which social and cultural factors influenced the development of each
style;
Provide examples of which artistes / songs made each style famous;
Explain (and justify) your personal opinion of each style.

You should decide on a way to present your findings - powerpoint, poster, mind map or word-
processed document.

DATE ON WHICH PROJECT HAS TO BE SUBMITTED____________________________________