Clinton Community College
Orchestral Instrument Research Report
DOCUMENTED RESEARCH REPORT ON ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT. Usually 5-7 pages.
20 % of your overall course grade. Check the schedule for due date.
Task:
To find and submit
ten (10) web sites related to ONE instrument you choose to research. You may
choose from any of the instruments used in an orchestra (This excludes
the guitar, the saxophone, and the human voice). You will have two (2) websites for each of
the following categories.
- History and/or Manufacturers:
Find information about well-known makers and/or the instrument's history.
Write a paragraph summarizing the content at each website. Use your own words. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE. That would be plagiaristic.
In a separate paragraph tell why your chosen websites are the best you could find for this information.
- Famous Performers:
Locate two different professional performers who play your instrument. Find the best website dedicated to each performer. You will have two websites, one for each performer. If your instrument is used in both classical and popular music, you may wish to use one performer in each style. Your websites should be dedicated solely to the performers you choose.
Write a paragraph summarizing the content at each website.
In separate paragraphs tell why your chosen websites are the best you could find for your performers.
- Famous Composers:
Locate two different composers who wrote notable music for your instrument. Your composers must be different from your performers, even if the person you choose did both. Find the best website dedicated to each composer. You will have two websites, one for each composer.
You are not restricted to any particular period or style. Your websites should be dedicated solely to the composers you choose.
Write a paragraph summarizing the content at each website.
In separate paragraphs tell why your chosen websites are the best you could find for your composers.
- Repertoire:
What are the most famous pieces written for your chosen instrument? Submit a list of five famous pieces written for the instrument, and two (2) sites that were sources for the information. Give title, composer, date composed, period of music history. Here's a site that might help: www.naxos.com. Locate and listen to one selection and write a few sentences about your personal reaction to the music and use of your instrument. (If you can’t find the piece on
- Famous Orchestras: These should be standard orchestras,
with the usual instrumentation.
You should submit and comment on two (2) official websites of major orchestras anywhere in the
Submission:
Submit this
assignment in both hard copy and as
a computer file. Save it as a .rtf
file (rich text file) or Microsoft Word Document. Email this to me, or put it on a floppy disk
or CD.
Your report will be graded on how well you follow the guidelines for the assignment as well as the quality of your information.
TIPS FOR CORRECTLY COMPLETING
Orchestral Instrument Research Report
On first glance, this assignment looks easy; however, it takes a lot of time to do it well. It is unlike other research reports you have done for other classes.
Should you copy-and-paste the words you find on the webpages? No! Compare what you find on several websites before deciding which to cite as your preferred site. You may read the same things several times. That should serve to make writing your summary less difficult.
HOW TO PROCEED:
First, choose an instrument to research. It should be an instrument found in a standard symphony orchestra. In other words, French horn—yes; zither--no.
HISTORY AND MANUFACTURER CATEGORY
Search for websites about the history and/or manufacturers of your instrument. You will probably find dozens.
From several that you find, choose TWO websites that give information on history and/or manufacturers of your instrument.
Report:
1 .Give the website address.
2. Write a paragraph summary of what you find at each of TWO websites.
3. Write a statement about why you chose this website instead of others you found for this category.
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PERFORMER CATEGORY
Find the names of TWO persons, living or dead, who perform(ed) on your instrument.
Seach for websites about your two performers. The website should be dedicated to your person of choice. For example, if Ronald Reagan played your instrument professionally, find websites about Ronald Reagan.
Report:
1 .Give the website address of performer #1.
2. Write a paragraph summary of what you find at your chosen website.
3. Write a statement about why you chose this website instead of others you found for this performer.
1 .Give the website address of performer #2.
2. Write a paragraph summary of what you find at your chosen website.
3. Write a statement about why you chose this website instead of others you found for this performer.
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COMPOSER CATEGORY
Find the names of TWO persons, living or dead, who composed music featuring your instrument.
Seach for one websites each about your two composers. The website should be dedicated to your person of choice. For example, if John Adams composed music for your instrument, find websites about John Adams. Do not give a website that lists the names of lots of composers.
Report:
1 .Give the website address of composer #1.
2. Write a paragraph summary of what you find at your chosen website.
3. Write a statement about why you chose this website instead of others you found for this composer.
1 .Give the website address of composer #2.
2. Write a paragraph summary of what you find at your chosen website.
3. Write a statement about why you chose this website instead of others you found for this composer.
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REPERTOIRE FOR YOUR INSTRUMENT
Locate FIVE pieces written for your instrument.
Report:
1. List title, composer, and era in which your five pieces were written.
2. Give two websites that you used to find your repertoire.
No statement needed about why your chose websites.
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MAJOR ORCHESTRAS IN THE WORLD
Locate the official websites of two major orchestras in today’s world. These are general orchestras—NOT clarinet orchestras, or an orchestra made up of only your instrument.
(Think about it. If you find a clarinet orchestra, it will be a novelty, but NOT a “Major Orchestra.”)
Report:
1. Give website address for orchestra #1.
2. Write a short summary explanation what you can find at the orchestra’s website. Hint—look through all the page links on the website.
No statement is needed about why you chose the websites. You chose them because they are the official website for the orchestra.
1. Give website address for orchestra #2.
2. Write a short summary explanation what you can find at the orchestra’s website. Hint—look through all the page links on the website.