Experiencing Music

Hevner Mood Wheel

Teamwork Challenge: Supporting a constructive team climate

Group Project

Individual Component

Consider the Hevner Mood Wheel on p. 182 of The Music Within You and create an individual eight-song playlist on Spotify, from songs representing each of the eight sections. Embed this list to your site.

Group Component

DISCUSS the lists in your group and create a new, composite list using at least one song from each group member, and at least one new song chosen by the group (alternatively, you may create original songs in BandLab).

EMBED this list to your site as well, along with a brief commentary indicating which songs came from individual group members and which came from the group.

TEST the list with at least four people not in the class, and including at least one member of the HPU faculty or staff. Give them a copy of the wheel, and play up to five songs to see if they place them in the same categories as your group. Include a brief summary of your individual data/contribution to your site.

As a group, create a REPORT of about 500 words on the results: how many songs did your test subjects identify correctly? How much agreement was there? When they understood the Mood Wheel, did they suggest additional songs that you hadn't thought of? Be prepared to share your results with the class.

Due 3/8

HPU's Music

Teamwork Challenge: improved communication

Group Project

Consider any four of ways that music and the experience of High Point University connect:

The Promenade
The Café
Butterfly Café
The Point, Great Day Bakery, or the C-Store
1924 Prime or Alo
Wanek or Slane pianos
HPU Outfitters
Slane Starbucks
Worship in the Chapel (Wednesday 5:30)
Any games this week with the pep band/drum line

How does this music create social identity at HPU? Refer to GILES ET AL. in your response. Are there cases in which music seems to lead to aggressive or negative behavior?

Make a short video featuring:

The locations you studied
Interviews with at least eight HPU students, and at least one member of the HPU faculty or staff, about what they consider to be “HPU’s Music.”

Each location should be introduced by a different group member, and all members should appear in the video. Due 3/15

Dangerous Music

Teamwork Challenge: Conflict resolution

Individual Component

Write a short (300 word) opinion piece, or record a brief (3 min.) video about sex, violence, and suicide in music strictly from your own perspective—how do specific genres of music affect you personally? Post this to your site no later than Wednesday 3/20 at 11:59 PM (this will receive completion credit)

Group Component

READ (or watch) the statements from your group members,

DISCUSS the areas where you agree and disagree with your group in a podcast, Zoom/Teams/FaceTime video (10 minutes max), or a text chain in which everyone participates. Consider any of the following to get the conversatin started:

Is music dangerous enough that it needs to be regulated? What does the evidence (PLATO, LUCAS, HIRSCH) suggest?
Does it seem that most of the discussion about restricting “adult content” in music is intended to protect other people?
Do we assume that we are sophisticated enough to make good choices, but others aren’t? If so, what makes us so discerning?
Do we have a responsibility to the Common Good to protect others from consuming dangerous music (or media, controlled substances, etc.)?

Due 3/22

Music and Movement

Do either exercise 6-2 or 6-3 from The Music Within You (p. 52, eBook p. 54), or learn and record a TikTok dance. Write a brief reflection (300-500 words) that refers to chapter 14 of The Music Within You, and covers the following:

Briefly describe your mental/emotional state before the exercise
Take a picture of yourself that best captures the experience
(if you don't do the TikTok Dance) At a convenient point during the event, try to stand or sit perfectly still. Is this easy or difficult? How does it make you feel, and how do other people respond?
Interview one or two people who seem to be “regulars,” and find out
- When they started or how long they have been attending these events or making dance videos
- How participation in the event affects their mood
- How they know they’re “doing it right”
- Whether they can imagine not attending these events/making videos
Briefly describe you mental/emotional state after going to the event or making the video

Due 4/12

Religious Music Project

Attend a religious service and observe the role of music in the ritual. It probably goes without saying, but please observe and respect the norms of dress, behavior, etc. while you are a guest in the community. Write a 1000 word essay referring to The Music Within You, GILES ET Al., and the Cornelius/Natwig ideas below, summarizing your interviews, and describing any spiritual effect of music you observe. For full credit, also discuss your takeaways from the assignment, any preconceptions that were challenged, and/or observations comparing this experience with your own experiences of spirituality.

At the event, observe and make notes on the following:

Music Sociologists Steven Cornelius and Mary Natwig outline four potential functions of spiritual music; which do you observe?

The sacred topic of the lyrics may promote meditation
Sacred music may create a “sacred space” that separates from our challenges and frustrations
Singing or chanting slows breathing, which can reduce tension
Music that is highly repetitive or unchanged from week to week allows the mind to focus

In a friendly, natural way, start conversations with at least three people at the event. If they don’t object, take a picture with one or more of them. How does the music help them in the service, or in their daily lives? What makes this music different from other music they enjoy? How does it help to create a sense of shared identity?

Check-in (plan): on or before 3/8 Due: 4/5

Live Music Project

Attend an event with live music and interview at least three participants. Write a 1000 word essay, referring to GILES (and at least two other course readings), summarizing your interviews, and describing the musical culture you observed and the role that music plays in the participants’ lives. Add a 300-word personal reflection that describes your takeaways from the assignment, any preconceptions that were challenged, and/or observations comparing this experience with other musical cultures you belong to.

At the event, observe and make notes on the following:

When does the event occur and how long does it last? Does it start and end on time? Do most participants arrive and leave early, on time, or late?
Describe the setting: where does the event occur? Is there space set aside for it specifically?
Does the space reflect the musical culture (i.e. posters on the walls, etc.), or is it neutral?
Describe the atmosphere at the event: is it serious business, or a friendly, informal gathering? Do you feel welcome?
Describe the participants: predominantly men or women? What age ranges? How would you describe their socio-economic status? How many seem to be “regulars” at the event?
Do people dance or move to the music? How does the rhythm affect you?

In a friendly, natural way, start conversations with at least three people at the event. If they don’t object, take a picture with one or more of them. Try to find out the following: