1. Musical Artist Portfolio

2. Project Criteria (Each Slide is 4 points)
Introduction
Preference
Family Background
Personal Background
Musical Background
Musical Background 2
Discography
Excerpt Example
Works Cited
Include at the minimum of 6 images that support your presentation. The 6 images include the portrait in the introduction.
Animation is not required for this project
Each required sentence, required image, and or any other item will be worth 1 point.
Excerpt Example will be 8 points
The whole project is worth 60 points.
Presentation is not required. For students whom wish to present, they will be able to earn up to 10 extra points.
The project may be completed with a partner or as a solo assignment. Each student will still receive an individual grade based on effort and work.

3. Introduction
Your introduction slide must consist of the following things:
A portrait or picture of your selected artist
Full Name (first & last name)
Birth Year and Death Year
If the person is still alive, leave it blank like this example, ( )

4. Frederic Chopin

5. Preference Slide
This slide is to explain why you selected your artist.
This slide must have:
at least five complete sentences
in paragraph form
explain in detail the reasons you selected your artist. Here are some questions to consider to help you complete this slide. Was this artist your favorite? What did you want to learn about your artist. Is there a favorite song from this artist? How does this artist inspire you?

6. Preference (5 Complete Sentences at least)
I was formally introduced to the music of Frederic Chopin through my piano lessons during high school. My fourth classical piece I was assigned was Chopin’s Waltz, Op 64, No 2. As I practiced the waltz, I fell in love with the song-like melody, melancholy harmonies, and eloquent passages. After completing the waltz, I went on to listen to other Chopin compositions, pleased to recognize his other works have the waltz’s similar style. Listening and playing through Chopin’s music became the best ways to connect with my sense of loneliness. I am forever grateful for the spiritual peace I received from studying Chopin’s music during high school and college.

7. Personal Background (Complete Sentences in bulletin style)
Family Background MUST include the following:
1. Birth Information (Year, City, State, Country)
2. Mother and/or Father
3. Siblings
4. Describe Living Situation in 2 sentences(This may include if the family moved to multiple locations).
5. Ethnicity/Culture
6. Interesting Fact about Family Related
7. Interesting Fact about Family Related
8. Interesting Fact about Family Related

8. The Chopin Family
Fryderick Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, Poland, 1810.
Fryderick was raised by his father (Nicholas Chopin) and mother (Justyna Chopin).
Fryderick’s siblings consisted of 3 siblings. He had an older sister, Ludwika, and two younger sisters, Izabella & Emilia.
The Chopin Family lived primarily in the country of Poland. They lived in Zelazowa Wola and then moved to Warsaw shortly after Fryderick’s birth.
Officially, Chopin’s Family is considered Polish. It would be more accurate to state the Chopin children are half French & half Polish. This is because Nicholas is French and Justyna is Polish.
Fryderick was particularly close to his youngest sister, Emilia. She had unfortunately passed away at the age of 14 due to tuberculosis.
In addition to being a French Teacher, the father was a flute and violin player. The mother was a piano teacher who taught to a number of boys.
At the age of 21, Fryderick moved to Paris, France to begin his piano career. His last known communication to family was his sister Ludwika, who was with him when Fryderick passed away.

9. Chopin’s Birthplace

10. Personal Background 2
Personal Background 2 must include the following:
Was your artist ever in a personal relationship or married?
Does your artist have a family of his or her own with children?
If your artist passed away, how did it happen? If your artist is alive where is he or she now.
Interesting or fun fact about the artist

11. Chopin Personal Background
Fryderick Chopin was never married. He did propose to a Maria Wodzinska who turned him down. He also had an intimate relationship with Amantine Dupin (AKA George Sand) but it never went deep into romantic one due to Chopin’s declining health.
As a result of no marriage, Chopin had no children of his own. The closest to resemble having a child is being a father- figure to Amantine’s daughter, Solange.
Fryderick Chopin lived up to 39. He passed away from long term symptoms of tuberculosis. His body was buried in Paris with his heart placed in an urn carried by his older sister Ludwicka back to Poland.
Since as a child, Chopin would practice piano in the dark with lights out. For him, this was to achieve an intimate moment with music. He would also request the lights out go out when he plays for parties.
Famous German composer, Robert Schumann, wrote a article titled “Hats off Gentlemen, a Genius” recognizing Chopin’s ability as a composer and pianist.
A video game called “Eternal Sonata” features Chopin visiting a dream world featuring key aspects of his life. This game was released in 2007.

13. Music Background (Complete Sentences in bulletin form)
Career Background may include the following information
1. Major Instrument(s) performed by the artist
2. Genre or style the musician played in.
3. What other talents did this artist have? (dancer, composer, actor/actress, etc.)
4. What recognitions did this artist earn? Specify what year for each recognition.
5. Specify if your artist writes lyrics, melody, or both for a song. Provide an example.

14. Chopin’s Music Background
Fryderick Chopin was a pianist and a composer. As a composer, he primarily wrote music for the keyboard.
Fryderick’s Chopin’s music is considered a “Classical Romantic” style. This style consisted of unique rhythmic passages with the use of rubato, varying dynamics, and Polish dance styles.
At a young age, Fryderick was known to be an artist and writing poems. He has also taken lessons in the organ keyboard.
Despite popularity of his piano skills and composition writing, Chopin was not honored with any specific recognitions or awards.
Chopin has written over 230 compositions which were primarily piano music. A few of his piano music collaborates with orchestra, solo cello, and a vocalist. An example of a piano work is his Waltz in C Sharp minor Op. 64, No. 2 which was the first Chopin composition I worked on as a pianist.

15. Musical Background 2-Complete Sentences in bulletin style
1. Where did the artist receive his or her musical training? This could refer to a school or music institution. You may specify instead who the artist’s mentor or teacher was. It is also possible the artist was self-taught. Please specify if this is the case.
2. Did the artist have friendships or collaborations with other musicians? If so please identify them.
3. Where has this person traveled to perform?
4. What is your favorite or one of your favorite songs from this artist? Explain in 3 complete sentences at least.

17. Chopin Musical Background 2
Fryderick Chopin received his first piano training from a private piano tutor, Wojciech Zywny. He was already recognized as a child prodigy at the age of 7. He soon attended several Warsaw Conservatories to build his knowledge in music theory, learn how to play the organ, and compose more music.
When he was in Paris, Fryderick Chopin established friendships with a number of musicians and artists. Most important of them was Franz Liszt, a fellow talented piano player whom he has collaborated with on compositions and piano playing.
Fryderick made an official debut playing a recital in Vienna. Afterwards, most of his recitals took place in Paris until in Set up by his student, Jane Stirling, he was arranged a tour to perform a number of recitals in England and Scotland. During this tour, he performed for the Queen of England and Prince whom were very curious about his piano technique.
One of my favorite pieces from Chopin is the Fantasy Impromptu. It is an excellent representation of Chopin’s composition style consisting of technical skill, brilliant passages, and dark melody, I connect with the middle section of this piece on the emotions expressed with my own lonely experiences. I hope to dedicate the time to prepare and practice this someday.

18. Discography
Songs/Pieces Performed (10 Titles at Minimum)

19. Fryderick Chopin Discography
This list will reflect Chopin’s 10 most popular and well known compositions:
Nocturne Op 9. No. 2 in E Flat Major
Nocturne Op. 27. No. 2 in D Flat Major
Nocturne in C Sharp Minor, Posthumous
“Grand Valse Brilliante”, Waltz #1 in E Flat, Op. 18
“Minute Waltz”, Waltz #6 in D Flat, Op. 64 No. 1
Waltz #7 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 64 No. 2
“Heroic Polonaise”,, Polonaise #6 in A Flat, Op. 53
“Fantasy Impromptu” in C Sharp Minor, Op. 66
Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23
“Raindrop” Prelude Op. 28 No. 15

20. Works Cited-Provide 3 Resources you used
Websites
Last Name, First Name, “Article Title”, “Website Title”, Website Publisher, Date Published, Dated Accessed
Books
Last Name, First Name, Title of Book, City of Publisher, Publisher, Year Published

21. Works Cited Example
“Frederic Chopin.” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia, 24th Dec, Web. 2 Jan, 2018.
Bidnyuk, Anna, Tarasyuk, Elena, “Frederic Chopin: some facts from the life of a genius.”. kpi.ua. National Technical University of Ukraine, 4 Jan, Jan, 2018
“Frederic Chopin.” biography.com. A&E Television Networks, 24th May, Jan, 2018

22. Excerpt Example (2 Choices)
Provide a clip or link to showcase a 1 minute excerpt of a song from the artist you are presenting. Please keep in mind it must be school appropriate. The song may be presented via youtube, audio CD, etc.
Perform an excerpt of a song from the artist you are presenting. Please keep in mind it must be school appropriate. Performance must be well prepared and accurately represent the song.