Repertoire Research Guidelines

Directions: Answer the following questions about your assigned piece from our semester
repertoire. Use these questions as well as additional research to compose a one-page paper to
accompany this worksheet. Paper guidelines: 1-inch margins; 12-pt font, Times New Roman
font; single-spaced; name, ensemble, title of piece, and date in the right-hand top margin each
on their own line. The paper may be more than one page in length, but should not exceed three
pages. Extra length will not gain extra points, but meaningful research will.
These findings will be presented to the entire ensemble in a five-minute presentation.
Presentation aides such as Power Point or Prezi may be used if utilized appropriately and with
discretion.
Purpose of this assignment: to aid us in becoming more aware of the pieces that we perform
and to gain a deeper appreciation for the pieces and their composers through research. To
improve research and public presentation skills.
1. Composer:
Date of birth (and death):
a. Brief history: (where they grew up, what training they had (if any), what they
were known for)
b. ***If this is an arrangement, be sure to find the above information about both
the original composer (if there is one) and the arranger***
2. Title of Piece:
Year(s) composed:
a. Is it part of a larger work? If so, what work and how does it contribute to the
large work as a whole?
3. Key:
Time signature:
Number of measures:
4. Harmonic analysis
a. Please provide a harmonic analysis for the first ten measure of your piece, or the
first two phrases.
5. Textual analysis:
a. Please write the text in stanzas as though you are writing it as a poem. Most text
used by composers was first a poem.
b. Was the text written by someone other than the composer? If so, please provide
their name, their date of birth (and death), and a very brief history.
c. What are the general feelings provoked by this text? What makes you believe
this?
6. How does the composer reflect the meaning of the text through the piece?
a. Consider how the melody is set, rhythms, harmonies, etc.
7. Works Cited:
a. Be sure to include a works cited page in the most recent MLA format found at
the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University. A minimum of three credible
sources must be used.