Essay 2: Biographical Essay

For Essay 2, you will write a short biographical essay that examines the ways in which an aspect of diversity shaped or influenced a particular composers life and careerthe influences you discuss might be positive (such as particular commissions, opportunities, collaborations, compositions, friendships, etc.) or negative (abuse, blocked from opportunities, lost opportunities, rejection by critics/audience, political ramifications, etc.). For Essay 3, you will write a critical essay that examines a particular work by the composer that engages directly with issues of diversity.

Instructions

1. Choose a composer and work from the Composer Diversity Database (https://www.composerdiversity.com/). If there is an artist you’d like to research who you believe fits the spirit of the project but someone that you cannot find in the Composer Diversity Database, then please ask Dr. Laird about it.

2. As you choose your composer for Essay 2, remember that Essay 3 is an analysis of a composition by that composer. For several styles of music, the latter will be easier with a score. The Music Library is closed, so you need to think about this when you chose a composer. See if a score is available online (IMSLP, YouTube, etc.) or if there is another way you can get access to one. That needs to be part of your thought process. You will be able to do Essay 2 in the manner already described.

3. Write a 500-word biographical essay answering the research question: How did particular aspects of the composer’s identity positively and/or negatively shape their career?

(we only need to write essay 2 right now)