local concerts
Looking for a way to fulfill that concert attendance and critique? Here are some local venues and ensembles you might check out:
Artsline: A service of WCVE Public Radio
This calendar has LOTS of local visual and performing arts events happening around town - a great place to look!
Sacred Heart Cathedral - Concerts at the Cathedral
This is the large cathedral on Monroe Park, and it hosts a lot of musical events. This is their calendar between now and May.
University of Richmond's Modlin Center for the Arts
They bring in world-class performers from all over, and have a fantastic space for live music. Definitely go!
Richmond CenterStage
Home of the Richmond Symphony, VA Opera & Richmond Ballet, this venue hosts a wide range of performers throughout the year (and MLWGS graduation).
One Voice Chorus
A community choir devoted to racial reconciliation and good music, directed by my friend and JMU graduate Dr. Lynn Atkins.
James River Singers
This is my choir! We are an auditioned chamber ensemble that performs twice a year - look for posters at school.
Artsline: A service of WCVE Public Radio
This calendar has LOTS of local visual and performing arts events happening around town - a great place to look!
Sacred Heart Cathedral - Concerts at the Cathedral
This is the large cathedral on Monroe Park, and it hosts a lot of musical events. This is their calendar between now and May.
University of Richmond's Modlin Center for the Arts
They bring in world-class performers from all over, and have a fantastic space for live music. Definitely go!
Richmond CenterStage
Home of the Richmond Symphony, VA Opera & Richmond Ballet, this venue hosts a wide range of performers throughout the year (and MLWGS graduation).
One Voice Chorus
A community choir devoted to racial reconciliation and good music, directed by my friend and JMU graduate Dr. Lynn Atkins.
James River Singers
This is my choir! We are an auditioned chamber ensemble that performs twice a year - look for posters at school.
quarterly concert critique information
Four times a year, I ask that you find a musical performance to attend, and evaluate it on its merits in the form of a review. My two main goals in having you do this are to 1) ensure that you hear and see live music of high quality being performed, with an opportunity to use the analytical skills you develop in class, and 2) that you might discover what your city has to offer in the performing arts. This assignment is worth 5% of your quarterly grade, and is due by the last day of each quarter. I prefer getting them in my email, but I'll take a paper copy as well, of course.
Below is an example of a great performance critique from a previous year:
- The type of music is largely up to you; it's not limited to choral or vocal music, or even classical. Richmond has a pretty active jazz scene, opportunities to see musical theater performances, as well as a symphony, an opera and a ballet company - not to mention the many high-quality church musicians!
- I would like it to be something you were unlikely to attend on your own. When your favorite band comes to town, you want to see them without needing an assignment's encouragement. An exception might be something like a performance of the VA Opera, though your family has season tickets.
- You are not required to bring a ticket stub or program to prove that you were there. I trust you. However, I do love seeing what was on the program, so if you keep one, do pass it on!
- Do not use K-12 school performances as your critique opportunity. Limit 'school' related performances to an offering from one of our local universities.
- If you are in a musical production of some kind (MLWGS spring musical, SPARC, district chorus, etc), that is a great opportunity to write about your experience from an inside perspective! I'd love to hear about the rehearsal process as well as the final product, in that case.
- Provide as much musical analysis as you are able. Use words we use in class - tempo, dynamics, articulation, blend, balance, etc.
- Also include your subjective analysis: did you enjoy it? Why or why not? What were some highlights or blunders in the performance? How do you think they did in providing interesting musical content? Do you feel that you can take something from this and apply it to your own singing?
- If you're ever unsure about whether your critique idea is appropriate or not, just ask!
Below is an example of a great performance critique from a previous year: