Master Composers: Musical Eras Explored
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Master Composers: Musical Eras Explored

Grade 11MusicHistory4 days
This 11th-grade project, 'Master Composers: Musical Eras Explored,' integrates music and history to investigate the influences and innovations of various musical periods. Students explore the defining characteristics, key composers, and historical contexts of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras through engaging activities such as documentary creation, debates, and exhibits. The project aims to deepen students' understanding of music's evolution and its reflection of cultural movements, using creative and critical research skills to connect historical and musical insights.
MusicHistoryComposersMusical ErasInnovationCultural ContextResearch
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we explore the defining characteristics, influential composers, and historical contexts of different musical eras to understand their influence on the evolution of music across time?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the defining characteristics of different musical eras and how do they reflect the cultural, social, and political contexts of their time?
  • Who are some of the most influential composers from each musical era, and what are their contributions to the development of music?
  • How did historical events and cultural movements influence the works of composers from various musical periods?
  • What techniques and instruments were prominent in different musical eras, and how have they evolved over time?
  • In what ways have composers from different eras influenced one another, and how does this reflect a continuity or change in musical traditions?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Identify and describe the defining characteristics of at least three different musical eras.
  • Analyze the contributions of key composers from different musical periods and how their work reflects historical and cultural contexts.
  • Investigate how historical events and cultural movements influenced composers and their music.
  • Examine the evolution of musical techniques and instruments from each era studied.

National Core Arts Standards

HS.MU:HCh.Cr1.1
Primary
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work within a historical or cultural context.Reason: The project involves exploring composers from various eras, which requires students to generate and conceptualize artistic ideas in historical contexts.
HS.MU:Pr4.1
Secondary
Select varied musical works to present based on interest, knowledge, technical skill, and context.Reason: Students will need to select musical works from different eras based on their understanding of the composers and their contexts.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1
Supporting
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.Reason: Students will analyze historical texts and resources to learn about the composers and eras, developing insights and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.7
Primary
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.Reason: The project requires students to conduct research based on the inquiry framework provided, synthesizing sources about musical eras and composers.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Time-Travel Composer Hologram

Introduce students to a futuristic hologram technology demonstration where they can interact with a 'holographic' version of a famous composer from different musical eras. This unexpected merging of old and new will ignite curiosity and encourage students to explore how composers influenced their time and shaped the future of music.

Composer Mystery Box

Present students with a mystery box filled with artifacts that represent different composers and their specific eras. As students unpack and investigate each item, they'll piece together clues about the composers' lives and musical innovations, thus engaging them deeply with history and context.

Virtual Reality Concert Experience

Expose students to various musical eras by having them attend a virtual reality concert representing different periods. This immersive experience allows students to hear, see, and feel the music within its historical context, sparking inquiry into how these compositions resonated in their own time.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Composer Era Match-Up Challenge

In this activity, students will engage in a game-based quiz to identify and match composers to their respective musical eras. This serves as an introduction to different musical periods and their defining composers.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review brief summaries of four major musical eras: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern.
2. Examine a list of famous composers and note their contributions and characteristics.
3. Participate in a matching activity where students pair composers with their correct era based on descriptions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed era matching sheet correctly linking composers to their corresponding musical periods.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard HS.MU:HCh.Cr1.1 by conceptualizing composers' ideas within a historical context.
Activity 2

Composer Deep Dive Documentary

Students will create a short documentary video focusing on a selected composer from one of the musical eras. They will research, script, and produce a narrative detailing their composer's life, contributions, and context.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a composer from a given list that intrigues you the most.
2. Conduct research using primary and secondary sources to gather factual information about the composer's life and works.
3. Organize findings into a coherent script featuring key points about the composer's life and contributions.
4. Create a short video using video editing software, including visuals and audio of the composer's work.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 5-minute documentary video on a chosen composer, complete with a script and multimedia elements.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets standards HS.MU:Pr4.1 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.7 by selecting works and conducting research.
Activity 3

Influence and Innovation Debate

This activity invites students to engage in a formal debate about the influences and innovations of composers across different eras. Students will research arguments and defend the contributions of a selected era.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a musical era to represent and research influential composers from that time.
2. Compile evidence of historical events and cultural movements that influenced the composers' works.
3. Prepare arguments and counterarguments to discuss the impact of the era's musical innovations.
4. Participate in a classroom debate, defending the chosen composers and their contributions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA structured debate presentation, including argument outlines and supporting evidence.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1 by analyzing texts and HS.MU:HCh.Cr1.1 by understanding works in context.
Activity 4

Musical Techniques Exhibit

Students will collaboratively create an exhibit showcasing the evolution of musical techniques and instruments across different eras. The exhibit will highlight key changes and continuities in music history.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research prominent techniques and instruments associated with assigned musical eras.
2. Create informational displays including visuals, diagrams, and written descriptions for the exhibit.
3. Assemble the exhibits in a designated area, facilitating a gallery walk for class members.
4. Present findings as part of guided tours during the exhibit walk-through.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn educational exhibit featuring displays on musical techniques and instruments from various eras.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsContributes to learning goals of examining the evolution of music, aligning with HS.MU:HCh.Cr1.1 and research components of CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.7.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Musical Eras and Composers Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Historical and Cultural Context Understanding

Assessment of the student’s ability to connect composers and their works to historical and cultural contexts.
Criterion 1

Standard Alignment

Evaluates how well the student connects their work with educational standards related to history and culture.

Exemplary
4 Points

Shows a sophisticated connection between composers and their historical contexts, demonstrating deep understanding and extensive research.

Proficient
3 Points

Displays thorough understanding of composers within their historical contexts with precise details.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic connections between composers and historical contexts; some important details are incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal understanding of historical contexts, with many gaps in knowledge.

Criterion 2

Use of Primary and Secondary Sources

How effectively students utilize sources to build understanding of musical eras and composers.

Exemplary
4 Points

Employs a diverse range of sources critically, providing comprehensive and integrated perspectives on composers.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses a variety of sources to effectively support analysis of composers.

Developing
2 Points

Uses sources but demonstrates inconsistency in integration or depth of understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Relies on limited sources with minimal integration or understanding.

Category 2

Creative Application and Presentation

Evaluates the student's creativity and effectiveness in presenting their research findings.
Criterion 1

Creative Approach

How creatively students present information and findings through multimedia or exhibits.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional creativity and innovation in presentation, engaging audience thoroughly.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents findings with creativity and clarity, maintaining audience interest.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging creativity but lacks coherence or originality in presentation format.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal creativity in presentation format, fails to effectively engage audience.

Criterion 2

Technical Quality

Assesses the technical quality of presentations, including video editing and exhibit assembly.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits outstanding technical quality, reflecting attention to detail and expertise.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates solid technical skills, producing clear and effective presentations.

Developing
2 Points

Technical execution is incomplete and affects overall presentation quality.

Beginning
1 Points

Technical flaws significantly detract from presentation impact and clarity.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of musical eras and their defining characteristics has evolved through this project. What surprised you the most about the connection between music and historical contexts?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your ability to identify and describe the contributions of key composers from different musical periods?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which portfolio activity did you find most engaging or informative, and why?

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Composer Era Match-Up Challenge
Composer Deep Dive Documentary
Influence and Innovation Debate
Musical Techniques Exhibit
Question 4

Reflect on the skills you have developed during this project. How will these skills help you in future historical or musical studies?

Text
Required
Question 5

Considering the diversity of musical techniques and instruments over time, how might these innovations influence future music compositions?

Text
Optional