Midterm Exam – Thursday, October 22

The midterm exam paper will consist of four sections. The exam will be two hours long, from 13:00-15:00 (1pm-3pm), in Room 208.

Section A: Listening to an Unknown Song

In this section you will be supplied with the lyrics of a song we did not cover in class. You will then listen to the song two or three times, at which time you need to note the song structure. You will also be required to answer some short questions about the song. Questions may include things like the genre, the orchestration, points about the melody, harmony, rhythm, and so on. There will also be questions about the lyrics of the song, based on the "Becoming Familiar With a Song"-questions.

Section B: Terminology

This section will include multiple-choice, matching, or true / false style questions regarding the terminology we have discussed in class.

Section C: Explanations / Definition

In this section you will be required to give written answer in short paragraph style regarding specific points we have discussed.

Section D: Essay on History of Music

For this section you will be required to write an essay in which you detail the development of Modern Western Music since Religious Music (e.g. the Spirituals) to early Rock and Roll; or any section between these two points. For this question you should not only describe the historic line, but should also give examples of historic figures (musicians) and representative songs. Substantiate your answer be including notes on the orchestration used, themes pondered, and so on.