MUSI 1306: Midterm Exam Guidelines and Rubric

MUSI 1306: Midterm Exam Guidelines
and Rubric

Overview

This midterm is designed to assess your understanding of
the composers, styles, instrumentation, and cultural contexts from specific
genres in the periods we have explored to this point in the course. You will select
and fully address at least one question from each genre. Your completed midterm
will be four separate essay responses consisting of one to two paragraphs per
essay (a minimum of 100 words per essay, no more than 200 words).

Each essay will contain at least one citation that
identifies a musical work or secondary source to support your analysis and
interpretation of the era. In some instances the specific type of citation or
source you should use is specified. If no specific type is specified you are
required to cite your own to support your interpretation and analysis.

Sacred
Music in the Middle Ages

a) How
do the main sacred genres of this time (chant, the mass ordinary, etc.)
represent the cultural emphasis on sacred ideologies that exemplified the
Middle Ages?

b) Discuss
the evolving musical language of the period, with attention to the transition
from monophony to polyphony, as represented by the sacred music of this time.
Select and discuss one specific musical example from the Middle Ages.

Secular
Song in the Renaissance

a) How
does the growing interest (composers, performers, and/or audiences) in secular
song reflect the humanistic values (humanism) of the Renaissance?

b) Choose
one secular song (such as the madrigal) from this time and discuss specific
methods by which the meaning of the text is enhanced by the musical setting.

New
Genres in the Baroque

a) As
large-scale vocal compositions emerged during the Baroque, composers developed
different vocal textures to fulfill the requirements of narrative storytelling
(either to move the story forward or to add dramatic focus to specific moments
or events). Choose an excerpt from a large-scale vocal composition (opera,
oratorio, cantata) from the Baroque era and discuss how one of these new vocal
genres (specifically recitative or aria) enhances that particular narrative.

b) Discuss
ritornello form and musical contrast (dynamics, instruments, tempo, etc.) in a
specific instrumental musical selection from the Baroque (such a movement from
a concerto).

The
Symphony in the Classical Era

a) How
does the emergence of the symphony, as a genre, reflect the cultural values and
history associated with the Enlightenment?

b) Discuss
sonata form and the expanded instrumental textures in a specific symphonic or
solo concerto movement from the Classical era (Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven).

Format

Your
completed midterm will be four separate essay responses consisting of one to
two paragraphs per essay (a minimum of 100 words per essay, no more
than 200 words), double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font,
one-inch margins. Each essay should contain at least one source or reference (more may be
required within the prompt)accurately formatted in APA or MLA format.

How Will My Midterm be Graded?

Essay	% of Total Grade	Calculation: X multiplied by .25 equals total essay score.
#1	25%	(Grade on Essay 1 out of 100 points)*0.25= E1
#2	25%	(Grade on Essay 2 out of 100 points)*0.25= E2
#3	25%	(Grade on Essay 3 out of 100 points)*0.25= E3
#4	25%	(Grade on Essay 4 out of 100 points)*0.25= E4
Final Grade	Sum of E1 through E4 out of 100 points
Grading Guideline Per Essay Response: The response to each essay question will be scored using the critical elements below. Reference the calculation grid above for total score.
Critical Elements	Distinguished	Proficient	Emerging	Not Evident	Value
Main Elements	Fully addresses question and is organized effectively with clear beginning, middle, and end to present all aspects of response (23-25)	Addresses question and is organized clearly to present response (20-22)	Addresses question but may lack clear organization which detracts from response (18-19)	Does not address question and/or lack of organization makes response difficult to understand (0-17)	25
Analysis	Offers original and detailed interpretation that moves beyond simple summary providing clear insight on the meaning or significance of the musical genre(s) (23-25)	Offers original interpretation that provides clear insight on the meaning or significance of the musical genre(s) (20-22)	Some interpretation but requires further development to provide insight on the meaning or significance of the musical genre(s) (18-19)	Does not offer original interpretation (0-17)	25
Integration and Application of Citation/ Sources	Concisely paraphrases and quotes integrating evidence effectively at appropriate point(s) in question for optimal support of analysis (18-20)	Integrates evidence with effective paraphrasing and quotation(s) at appropriate points in question to support analysis (16-17)	Integrates evidence including paraphrasing and quotation(s) in question but could be placed more optimally to enhance effectiveness of analysis (14-15)	Requires more selective use of evidence such as concise paraphrasing or quote(s) at additional points in paper and/or does not use required supporting source(s) (0-13)	20
Citation/ Source Format	All citations and sources in essay are in accurate format (14-15)	At least 80% of citations/sources in essay are in accurate format At least three citations and two sources in accurate format (12-13)	Less than 75% of citations/sources in essay are in accurate format (11)	Citations and sources are not in accurate format or does not use required supporting citation(s)/source(s (0-10)	15
Writing Mechanics	No errors related to, grammar, format, and style (14-15)	Errors of grammar, format, and style are marginal (12-13)	Errors of grammar, format, and style are limited enough that the essay is still able to be understood (11)	Errors of grammar, format, and style make the essay difficult to understand (0-10)	15
Earned Total	100