Final Project -- Contemporary Songwriting

Contemporary Songwriting – Final Project

Due July 24^th, 2013 at 3:00 PM

As the final assessment for Contemporary Songwriting, you will complete a two-part assignment to demonstrate your growth, both in writing your own songs and appreciating others’ songs.

Assignment – Part One: Explication and Reflection

For the first part of this assessment, you will collect any five or more songs of your choosing and burn them onto a CD.[*] These songs should be rich in terms of lyrics, musical depth, and emotional effect. Ideally, they will showcase what you consider “good” songwriting, which incorporates the intersection of musical, lyrical, and affective dimensions. I recommend that you include as much variety as possible: an eclectic mix of music demonstrates your ability to appreciate songs of different genres and styles, regardless of your general preference.

In addition to the CD, you will explicate each song using the attached guiding questions. These five explications should demonstrate your ability to annotate, analyze, and reflect on every dimension of the songs in detail. Additionally, your explications should highlight the lyrical, musical, and affective depth of your chosen songs, therefore justifying their place in the “plectrum.”

Finally, you will write a conclusion (350-500 words) which identifies the common thread through this quality music. Try to answer the question, “What makes this ‘good’ music?”

Assignment – Part Two

For the second part of this assessment, you have the freedom to determine an adequate expression of your growth in songwriting and songwriting appreciation. This includes, but is not limited to:

·       writing a song,

·       researching and analyzing one artist’s songwriting process and product,

·       creating an artistic interpretation of a well-written song with an artist’s statement

or

·       performing a song that you previously composed with a written reflection.

I am entirely open to other ideas which express your growth: choose whatever sort of creative project best demonstrates your development this block.

You will be graded based on the following standards (see the rubric on the following page):

Part One:                                                                                           Part Two:

·       Completion of basic requirements                                    

·       Content: Choice of songs                                                     [Rubric to be determined based on student proposal]

·       Explications

·       Conclusion

Tips for success on this project:

·       Start early and use your time wisely. Your final submissions will provide clear evidence of how much time you have dedicated to this endeavor.

·       Be certain to analyze songs that are well-written, rather than just songs that you like. There is a difference.

·       Ask for help when you need it. My door is always open, and there are many people who can assist you, both inside and outside of our school building.

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[*] If you do not know how to do this, or do not have the resources, make an appointment to work with me after school. I am happy to help you in this process.