This document provides an overview of listening to music and attending concerts. It discusses: 1) The focus of developing listening skills, expanding musical memory, and gaining familiarity with different types of music. 2) How to choose concerts by checking local newspapers, websites, and asking about student discounts. It also recommends preparing by learning about the music and performances. 3) What to expect at a concert, including a sample concert program, etiquette during performances, and giving applause at the appropriate times.

1. PRELUDE 1
Listening to Music Today
Copyright © 2020 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

2. Music Belongs to Everyone

3. The history of a people is found in its songs.
George Jellinek
Country music is three chords and the truth.
Harlan Howard
Without Elvis, none of us could have made it.
Buddy Holly
Without music, life is a journey through a desert.
Pat Conroy
Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of
the soul…
Plato
Music

4. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
People have created different types of
music for different purposes
Music is important to the quality of
human life
2 fundamental facts about Music & Real Life
Music Listening & You

5. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Focus of the Course
To increase your knowledge about music
To help you use this knowledge when attending
musical events
To equip you to answer questions and offer
opinions about music
To encourage your active participation in the arts
To help you become an intelligent consumer with
a voice in the availability of music in your
community

6. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Becoming an Experienced Listener
I. Becoming an Experienced Listener
A. Develop listening skills, expand musical memory
1. repeated, attentive listening
2. gain familiarity, understanding
B. Importance of music in live performance
1. unpredictability
2. unique communicative powers
3. traditions surrounding concerts, concert going

7. • Focuses on the music itself
• Understands and experiences the composer’s
creative choices
The Musically Aware Listener
Learning to Listen:
Hearing and Listening are not the same!!
Art Music: Composed for Performance in
concert halls & opera houses

8. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
• Physical effects it
produces
• Emotional effects
• Music for music’s sake
(absolute music)
• Develop different
expectations about
different types of music
• Improve your musical
memory
• Become more sensitive to
musical sounds
Develop different modes of listening

9. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Listening for Aspects of Musical Works
• Nature of melodies &
themes
• Texture
• Nature of rhythm & its
patterns
• Changes in dynamics levels
• Dominant timbres
• Use of forms and other
musical practices

10. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Attending Concerts, Part 1
II. Attending Concerts
A. Choosing concerts
1. on-campus Music Department concerts
2. local and college newspapers, calendar of events
3. consult websites
4. ticket prices vary; student discounts

11. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
To Find a Concert
In the “weekend section” of local newspapers
On websites of local concert venues and musical groups
Social Media
Be sure to ask for student discounts!
What Students Listen To
EACC FINE ARTS CENTER!!!

12. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Attending Concerts, Part 2

13. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Attending Concerts, Part 3
B. Prepare in advance
1. read about works to be performed
a. textbook and its online materials, Internet
b. opera: read synopsis
2. what to wear: formality varies
a. neat attire, respect for performers
3. arrive early: tickets, seats
a. read concert program, program notes
b. enter before concert or between pieces

14. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Attending Concerts, Part 4

15. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
III. The Concert Program
A. Sample program
1. overture, symphony, intermission,
concerto
a. symphony: in four contrasting
movements
b. concerto: standard three
movements (fast-slow-fast)
c. tempo markings in Italian
2. program notes: notes on pieces,
performer bios
The Concert Program, Part 1

16. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Preparing for the Ballet and Opera
• Ballet
• Learn About the Music
• Read About the Composer and
the Librettist
• Read the Story
• Learn About the Dancers and the
Company
• Opera
• Read the libretto
• If the libretto is based on
another source, study the
original story
• Learn About the Composer
• Read about the Soloists

17. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Some Important Information for Opera Goers
Supertitles--Text is flashed across a screen over the
stage
Libretto--the actual text of the opera
Metropolitan Opera Synopses
source for information about most operas; site
operated by NY Metropolitan Opera

18. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
The Concert Program, Part 2

19. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
During the Performance, Part 1
IV. During the Performance
A. Concert etiquette
1. turn off cell phone
2. don’t make noise
3. follow program
4. applause: after complete works
B. Performers: concert dress, black attire
C. Encore: additional piece demanded by extended applause

20. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
During the Performance, Part 2

21. Copyright © 2020, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Credits
This concludes the Lecture PowerPoint presentation for “The Enjoyment of Music, 4th Edition, Prelude 1: Listening to Music
Today”
For more resources, please visit https://digital.wwnorton.com/enjmusic4ess