Music and Society
Presentation # 1
Presentation
The purpose of this project is for each student to give a thorough, in-depth presentation on a specific
topic pulled from pre-20th century music history. Against the broad overview of music history that will
be presented in class, students will gain more insight into particular avenues of how music reflected
societal and historical trends of this time.
Each presentation should be between 10-12 minutes in length. Presentations should include a formal
oral presentation and appropriate visual and aural examples (posterboard displays, pictures, handouts,
sheet music, etc.). All listening examples MUST be in audio CD format or loaded on an mp3 player
which you provide. Presentations may also include Powerpoint displays, but special permission must
be secured before using such a display. Live performance is also allowed and encouraged.
Sources
A list of all sources used must be submitted to Mr. Oakes with you final project. A minimum of four
sources (books, reference volumes, periodicals, articles, etc.) is required. Up to two Internet sources
are allowed to be used in this project – such sources must be properly listed in your list of sources, and
are subject to approval. No Wikipedia or similar open-editor web site articles are allowed.
1) MON, February 4 – a complete, preliminary list of sources, using proper MLA format, is due
* Use the Hedges Library MLA Citation Generator on the Baylor library web site
2) A final list of your sources is due with your project. This may or may not be significantly
different from your preliminary list, depending on the sources you choose.
Grading
This presentation will be one of the major projects that is included in your “Projects” grade which
accounts for 25% of your total grade. The project will be graded on the following:
15 points
Sources list
 Broad range of sources, within established guidelines
 Both preliminary and final lists are turned in on time
85 points
Presentation
 Presentation topic is thoroughly presented (20 points)
 Topic is well-researched (20 points)
 Information delivered in a clear, complete manner (15 points)
 Total presentation is well-organized (15 points)
 audio / visual components appropriately contribute to the topic (15 points)
Project Timeline
Friday, January 18
Friday, January 25
Monday, January 28
Monday, February 4
Tuesday, February 12
Wednesday, February 13
Project Introduction
Music Library Orientation
Project Topic finalized
* no exceptions / no changes after this date
Preliminary sources list due
* all changes or additions must be turned in with final sources list
Music Project Presentations Day 1
Music Project Presentations Day 2
POSSIBLE PRESENTATION TOPICS
***REMEMBER – it is not enough to simply give a biographical description of composers,
performers, etc. You should instead focus on their musical works and the works’ significance
to their societal and historical context.
Other topics can be researched and presented. See Mr. Oakes for topic research and approval.
1. Detail the sung Latin mass liturgy in Roman Catholic worship through the time of the Protestant
Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Specifically focus on the work of Giovanni
Palestrina (1525 – 1594) around the time of the Council of Trent.
2. Discuss the differing viewpoints – through careful comparison and contrast – on the role of music in
worship held by significant Protestant reformers, including Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley,
Ulrich Zwngli, and others.
3. Detail the work of significant women composers from the traditional pre-20th century periods of
Western Art Music. Focus on their contributions to musical literature, difficulties faced due to their
being women, and other pertinent issues. Comment on Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) and
specifically focus on Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847), Clara Schumann (1819-1896), Amy Beach
(1867-1944), and others in your discussion.
4. Illustrate the impact and influence of death as found in the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(1756-1791), specifically centering on the death of his mother, the death of his first child, and his
Requiem.
5. Discuss the importance of the musical patronage system (the employment of musicians by the
church and wealthy ruling class) in the Baroque period (c. 1600 – 1750), citing significant
composers.
6. Give a brief, general overview of notable requiem compositions. Given this brief background, focus
and expand upon the significance of Ein Deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897).
7. Briefly describe the nine symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Discuss how they
reflect his different and evolving compositional style periods, and describe the non-musical
influences on each, including the dedications ascribed to each work.
8. Describe the controversial influence of Richard Wagner (1813-1883) on the musical establishment
of his day and in World War II Europe. Comment on controversial social positions Wagner
maintained, such as anti-Semitism and support of causes later associated with the Nazi party.
9. Identify and comment on the “Russian Five” (also “The Five” or “Mighty Handful”) composers.
Elaborate on their work outside of music, and how these pursuits influenced their compositions.
10. Describe the reflection of the philosophical Enlightenment movement of the 18th century in music of
the Classical period. Citing specific works, examples, and composers, describe how this shift in
reasoning, social order, and, aesthetics (which was also reflected in literature, writing, poetry, and
other arts), is evident in musical works of this time. Contrast briefly with works from the Baroque
(1600-1750) and Romantic (1825-1900) periods in order to fully illustrate your point.