Music 324 History of Musical Theater Paper Guidelines
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The 7-to-8-page paper for this class should be a combination of research (see "What are you researching?" below) and listening/analysis (see "What are you analyzing?" below), focused around two different shows by the same composer. In addition to a general comparison of the two productions, you are expected to analyze at least 2 contrasting songs from each show (equaling 4 songs in all). This analysis does not require you to read music, but, through listening, to use your ears to apply music vocabulary you'll learn in class. (If you do read music, feel free to ask me for help in obtaining a copy of the sheet music for the songs you want to discuss.)

Near the end of the reader, you will find a listing of composers who you could study for this paper--this list represents recordings available at Cal Poly or in my personal collection. If you would like to use one of my recordings, you need to talk to me by Wednesday, January 15 , so you will have time to listen to the item and insure that you want to study it for your paper.

Choose a show you like!! You may wish to meet with me for ideas. The paper is your opportunity to show that you can listen carefully to music and can make observations about it, while the research component should 'set the stage' for the shows and people you are studying. Please remember that I am happy to talk over ideas, read drafts, answer questions, and give advice at any time in this process--you're not "on your own"!!

A restriction: if you check the CD contents in the reader for this course, you can see what song selections we'll be covering in class. Since I want this paper to be the product of your own listening and perceptions, please do not discuss any of the same songs which are slated for future lectures. It's okay to choose shows that we'll be studying; just don't duplicate any of the individual songs on the CD list. Check with me if you're not sure!

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A. Paper Topic (5 points) - (please type this onto a 8-1/2x11" sheet of paper) - this should be a brief statement telling me which composer you have chosen to examine as well as which two shows you will be studying. I would like you to provide the publisher name and number (usually on the spine of CDs) for the recordings you'll be using, so that I know you've actually tracked down the music! (No, it is not acceptable merely to download songs from the web.)

• A selective list of composer for whom there are at least two different shows available appears at the end of the reader. This list is not exhaustive; it represents only the shows contained in Cal Poly's and my personal collections.

• You are welcome to choose a composer who is not on the list; however, you should check with me to make sure that there are two different shows available by that person. Also, you are expected to have the recordings you'll use "in hand" by the Topic Deadline.

• "Late" paper topics will drop a point per day.

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B. Bibliography (10 points) This should be a typed list (alphabetized by author's last name; not numbered!) of the resources you have found that will/did help you support your paper. Yes, you may certainly add to your bibliography if you find additional materials after the first "due date," but you will be assigned points for the breadth of materials you have checked by the fifth week (and their proper citation). In the reader, I have included examples for footnotes and bibliography entries in the "Chicago" format, the style that is used for citations in music scholarship. (More information about footnotes is included under "Sample Footnote Citations" below.)

What are you researching? Who created the music, lyrics, and book of your show? Briefly, what are the backgrounds of these creators? When did your first show premiere? When did the "other" show appear? What kind of success did each version enjoy? What did critics have to say about these productions? (Look at the New York Times after the show's opening; we have indices to the Times and microfilm copies of the newspaper at Kennedy.) Did the show win any awards? Has the show been revived very often? Or is it still in its first run? [If you are having trouble with your research, please come in for some help!]

There are several places to go for information about your show:

• books on reserve in Kennedy

• reference books in Kennedy - The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music; Baker's biographical dictionary of musicians; International who's who in music (Vol. two, Popular music), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, etc.

• articles - the best way to find articles on shows is to consult The Music Index (in the Reference Room of Kennedy) which--year by year--lists articles in nearly all music periodicals. You can then use Interlibrary Loan to request a free copy of any article that looks promising. [You have to go to the library to use The Music Index, but it's very helpful.]

• books (and scores) - besides its own library catalogue, Polycat, Cal Poly has a shared database with other CSU campuses called Link+. If you find a book at another campus, you can request it using the barcode number on your student ID. The book is delivered to the Interlibrary Loan office in Kennedy, usually within 3-4 days. You can also looked at the shared catalogue for the UC campuses, Melvyl, but you have to use Interlibrary Loan to request any items that you want to use. You can use Polycat, Link+, and Melvyl by going to the Kennedy Library website http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/ and going to the "All Databases and Resources" link. On that page, if you look under the "Information Categories" column, you'll find all three catalogues under "Finding Books." (Also, in the left-hand column, you'll see a link to the electronic version of Interlibrary Loan„very convenient!)

• WEB SOURCES - Many current shows have an "official" website. May you use Internet sources in your paper? Yes - BUT WITH CAUTION. The Internet is an amazing collection of material„but much of it is highly subjective: anybody can put anything they want on a website (and they do!), and it is never 'edited' by other scholars, unlike journal articles, books, newspaper articles, and so forth. Moreover, websites are often ephemeral, meaning that they may not be available next year, or even next week, which makes it impossible for people to double-check where you got your information, or to see if you distorted the information. For these reasons, I would not think too highly of a report that relied exclusively on web sources for its research. But there ARE some good sites; here's a good URL for official Broadway show information: http://www.ibdb.com/default.asp

• Be sure to include your recordings in your bibliography!

• "Late" bibliographies will drop a point a day.

No matter what the source, be sure to acknowledge any information which is taken from these sources, or from the program notes which accompany your recording, or from magazines or newspapers, or from Internet sites (in other words, you are required to use footnotes!).

Please remember--the bulk of this paper will be based on your listening--so don't fool yourself into thinking that any books--or Websites--will hold all the 'answers.'

I have examples of previous bibliographies in my office, if you'd like to see what other students have done.

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C. Outline (10 points) - The outline must contain your thesis and the titles of the 4 songs you are examining more closely; the outline should also be a typed, detailed representation of

1) how you plan to organize your paper, and

2) a summary of what you've learned in your research and what you still need to check, and

3) a summary of what you've analyzed in each song via your listening, as well as the musical elements you still plan to examine.

I have examples of previous outlines in my office, if you'd like to see what other students have done.

What are you analyzing?

You are examining two kinds of things:

1) the overall shows, and

2) the specific songs you've chosen to analyze more closely

Here are some questions that might help guide you:

What is the shows' plot? Who are the main characters? What is the general 'mood' of the show? How frequently do songs appear? What types of voices (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) are used? What kinds of songs does the show contain? How many characters get to sing? How much variety is there to the music? What did you find most interesting or appealing about the show? Least enjoyable? How do your two shows compare? What's different? What's the same? Can you tell they're by the same composer, or not? In your analysis of the overture and songs, what is the medium? text setting? melody type? rhythm? meter? subdivision? tempo(s)? dynamic level(s)? texture(s)? form (pattern of repetition) (Important: Be sure to identify what distinguishes each section of the form from the next„why did you label particular sections the way you did? How does your "A" differ from your "B," and so on?), style? mood(s)? Which character(s) perform(s) the song? What voice type(s) do you hear? What is the context of this song? (How does this song fit into the storyline?) Does the song stop the action, or continue to carry the story along? Why did you select this piece for your report? How does the overture contribute to the mood of the show? [If you are having trouble with your analysis, please come in for some help!]

You will probably find it easier to handle the "form" of your songs if you take the time to type out the lyrics (much as they are presented to you in the reader). Sometimes you can find the lyrics online; it is often possible to find published vocal scores via Link+ (see me for help in using this free resource).

• I require that you include your working 'thesis' in this outline, in order to get my feedback. A thesis is an opinion--not a fact--which you will 'prove' in the course of your report; it should appear in the course of your introductory paragraph There are many, many possible thesis statements you could make; if you're having trouble thinking of one, I would suggest that you consider which show you think is "better"--and why. In any event, I would be happy to help you devise a thesis; please come by and talk to me!

• Your outline must name the songs you are analyzing (as well as list the musical elements you've noticed so far in each song).

• Your outline should also reflect how you are organizing the paragraphs of your paper. Will you start with biographical information? Or show history? What key points will you bring up about your composer's personal history? Where will you incorporate your listening observations? (See "What are you analyzing?" below.) What have you figured out about each piece's form, tempo, dynamics, etc. etc. etc.? How will you make transitions between each paragraph? During the course of your paper, where are you "proving" your thesis? How will you conclude your paper? (Remember: don't bring new information into your conclusion; the concluding paragraph needs to 'wrap things up'.)

• It is customary to put the title of the show in italics, and to put the titles of the songs within quotation marks. I.E., The Phantom of the Opera sings "The Phantom of the Opera" in The Phantom of the Opera.

• I have learned that the "best" (most detailed) outlines tend to correspond with the best final papers, and many students will tell you that the more work you put in on your outline, the easier the paper itself is to write.

• The more details you include, the more feedback I can give you.

• "Late" outlines will drop a point a day.

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D. The Paper (75 points) - Organize your thoughts and observations into an orderly, grammatical double-spaced essay of 7-8 pages, with a thesis, conclusion, footnotes (or endnotes) and bibliography.

• The bibliography should contain only the items that helped you write your paper (including the recordings). If you don't have a footnote reference to an item somewhere in your paper, it shouldn't be in your bibliography.

• In the reader, you will find a copy of the "Grading Codes" which will be used when scoring your paper. Please read the codes carefully and proofread your paper to ensure that you have avoided the mistakes reflected by the various codes.

• Font size and margins are up to you; just be reasonable!

• Please include a cassette tape or cd of the pieces you analyzed (unless you got the recording from me in the first place!). The recording will be returned to you, unless you want me to keep it.

• Staple your paper; include a cover sheet with your name, etc.--and a title for your paper!!

• Put your paper and bibliography, your outline if you have modified it from the earlier version, and the recording in a large envelope with your name on the outside--thanks!

• The specific grading breakdown is as follows:

Mechanics (15 pts)

• Appropriate use of citations (4)
• Style (voice, transitions, etc.) (3)
• Outline reflected in paper (2)
• Logical organization (2)
• Bibliography (4)

Content (60 pts)

• Effective introduction (2)
• Clear / convincing thesis (3)
• Thesis 'proven' in course of paper (3)
• Effective conclusion (2)
• Research / Biography (20) (See "What are you researching?" above)
• Analysis / Comparison / Evaluation (30) (See "What are you analyzing?" above)

Score Busters

• Typo / Spelling / Grammatical Errors = - .10 pt / each
• "Late" papers will lose three points a day

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E. Presentation:

1. Include a cover sheet with your name and a title for your paper.

2. Please staple your paper. Please don't waste money on fancy binding.

3. Please put your

paper and bibliography,

a copy of the recordings you used (which will be returned to you),

the outline if it has been revised

in a big manila envelope

4. Put your name on the outside of the envelope.

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1. Don't procrastinate! Review your deadlines carefully.

2. Listen to the songs repeatedly, until you know them in your sleep. Take many notes!

3. Read your paper aloud, to 'hear' if you over-use particular words and phrases. Have a friend read it, to see if your writing makes sense to someone else. PROOFREAD! I have some previous papers on file in my office, if you want to get a sense of possible formats, writing styles, organizations, and so on.

4. Re-read the Grading Codes and your paper two or three times each, to see what errors you can catch.

5. If any of your information or ideas come from outside sources--books, articles, the Internet, etc.--appropriate acknowledgment is required (i.e. complete footnotes!). It is perfectly acceptable to get information from other people's writings and ideas--but it is imperative that you be ethical in citing the sources for your information. If you quote something directly--a full sentence, or even just a phrase--then it should be inside quotation marks (and followed by a footnote number). What if you just paraphrase information? In this situation, you don't use quotation marks, but when you get to the end of the section that you're paraphrasing, you should again put a footnote number. (If paraphrased information appears in several paragraphs, each paragraph should have its own footnote number.)

6. I'd like you to stick to the deadlines for the topic, bibliography, outline, and paper, but I do believe in "better late than never." (However, since the paper is due on the last day of class, you need to make special arrangements with me to submit late papers.) I encourage you to talk to me about any particular problems you're having. I don't think you should be penalized for things outside your control--but if you've been procrastinating until the last minute„and then get caught short--my sympathy level drops. What if you catch a cold or the flu a couple of days before the deadline?--if that devastates your ability to get the paper in on time, maybe you haven't planned too well . . .

7. If you're not sure about anything, please ask me. I truly want to give you any help you desire.

A final note: the word "it's" is a contraction for "it is." Don't put in the apostrophe unless you mean it!

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