The American Heritage Songs Project
Portfolio Content
All written artifacts include a pdf that can be accessed by clicking on each document's image. Shorter, written artifacts can also be read here.
Content functions better on computer than mobile devices.
Aesthetics (Philosophy) of Music
MUSI 663
The artifacts presented from my work in the Aesthetics course demonstrate the deep consideration I gave of my own, continually evolving, (but maybe, finally arriving),
philosophy of music education.
"Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow"
"Don't Stop Thinking..." is a post made for an online discussion. (2021).
"Green Bean Pizza"
Collaborative article. The first portion was written by former student, David Webb. I authored the second half.
(Spring 2021).
"'All's Well That Ends Well': Clichés, Kitsch, and Cadences”
Psychology of Music
MUSI 661
"Who's Picking These Hymns Anyway?": Familiarity and Musical Features on Hymn Preferences" (Paper and Video)
The research course I had taken earlier provided me with tools needed to ably study the music and musicians in my church choir. By examining the qualities of music belonging to the hymns my musicians prefer, I am now better at selecting music that might be best received.
That the data provided a moot hypothesis was not lost on me. My professor suggested I widen my subjects and publish an expanded work. I decided the topic was of value to me personally, but will probably not add value to anyone else. For me, this was a great lesson in how to ask a better question.
"MOSH in the SHOEBOX, WORM and HOOK"
Research
MUSI 699
"Creating a Problem Statement (In a Time of Covid)"
I worked this assignment just after making the decision to take a long sabbatical from teaching choir in public school. Included are just a few of the problems Covid caused me to consider.
(2021, June)
Only one page is included here. Please open pdf file above.
A Literature Review
In the course of reviewing literature for this assignment, I found the dissertation by Marilyn Ward (2003), cited in the paper. Ward's work prompted me, with Dr. Ciorba's assistance, to develop, what I consider to be, my capstone coursework: The American Heritage Songs Project.
Online Resources for Teaching 84 Identified American Heritage Children's Songs
Through an independent study course with Dr. Ciorba, I was able to glean online content currently available to teachers who want to teach any of the 84 Identified American Heritage Children's Songs. This research has demonstrated the lack of available, quality content online (e.g., music in best keys for children's voices, and instructional materials that are free of charge).
Survey Assignment: "Soft Rock is neither soft or a rock. Discuss."
Music History & Literature
Choral Literature
MUSI 630
Final Composer Project and Video: ARIEL RAMÍREZ
Comparison Chart of Major Composers in the Classical and Romantic Periods
This is one of two comparison charts completed, the first covering the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and this chart comparing Classical and Romantic periods. The chart features historical data, music stylistic features, performance practice, and more. The data also includes sources, so as to make the chart useful in practice.
ELECTIVE: Orchestral Literature
MUSI 630
Biographical background on Howard Hanson
Presentation of Analysis of Symphony No. 4, Op. 34 (Requiem), Howard Hanson
This presentation on Symphony No. 4, Op. 34 (Requiem) by Howard Hanson, is a self-guided Power Point - so click on the speaker icons to hear the audio for the slides.
(You will notice the Biographical video is found on slide 2, so skip if you've already seen it).
My work to analyze this symphony allowed me to put into practice some of the methods I learned in the Analytical Techniques Course. The entire process has given me greater confidence and skill in working with orchestral scores.
Here is PowerPoint of the Howard Hanson Research Project, in the event pdf. fails to load
Listening Guide for Symphony No. 4, Op. 34 (Requiem), Howard Hanson
A brief listening guide to accompany and give a cursory look at what to listen for in Hanson's Requiem Symphony.
Music Theory: Analytical Techniques
MUSIC 611
Palestrina Analysis
This is a choral analysis for the purpose of teaching choir students the motet: Sicut Cervus.
I focused on elements, inherent in the music, that make it of the Renaissance Period. This document allows me to have a quick reference for preparing my score prior to instructing choir singers and tools for doing similarly with other scores.
When I Hear "Your Voice" in a Fragile Tonic
"Your Voice" is Christian pop song by Nik Day. For this analysis I employed the techniques newly learned as put forth by Dr. Megan Lavengood's course design and from the Open Music Theory site. This course allows me to hear the good in new ways!
Paper
Links to interactive slides (.ppt) and song
Through my learning in Analytical Techniques I was able to understand ideas presented beyond the scope of the course. This slide image demonstrates the idea of plateau loops present in the song. Plateau loops is a term from Ben Duinker, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Toronto.
Week 10 Assignment: Discussion post on Slack (platform) on Pop Music: Lyrics
The only thing that is usually wrong
with the lyrics is what is really right about them, - namely, that they successfully capture what the music means.
~ Sir Roger Scruton
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Capstone Courses/Projects
I understand that the final two courses are considered to be the Capstone Courses. Therefore, I consider these two projects, done in the last two semesters of my time with GMU, as my Capstone Artifacts: American Sheet Music in the 20th Century, and The American Heritage Song Project.
I forsee the latter as an ongoing, free website project, that educators will (hopefully) augment by sharing their teaching ideas, materials, and performances. I am so grateful for my experience with the good faculty at George Mason University and offer my gratitude, especially to Dr. Charles Ciorba.
Thank you,
Natalie Beal
The American Sheet Music in the 20th Century presentation is one made during my elective course of Multicultural Perspectives in Music Education, on Microsoft's Sway application. It contains images, videos, historical information and audio files of sheet music belonging to an Illinois music teacher who lived during most of the 20th century. Please click the button above for more information. It is a treasure trove of fascinating music.