Key characteristics and the pioneers in avant

Key characteristics and the pioneers in avant-garde music Essay Minimalism originated in the sass, as a movement that sought to stray from the previous decade of self-expressionism as well as the contemporary trends of intellectual complexities found in serial music. Marked by repetitive mitotic and rhythmic patterns, it sought to emphasize simplicity in both melodic lines and harmonic progressions. In contrast to serial musics favored chromatic compositional techniques, minimalist music was wholly diatonic and consonant in nature. Textural consistency and layered melodies/rhythms gave way to gradual changes, highlighting the process of music, tater than a particular musical goal or specialized form. Seemingly lacking a climax, each composition unfolded by a series of repeating motives and additive rhythms extended over long periods of time. Influenced by Asian and African music, minimalism understated dramatic structures and sounds, instead emphasizing the reduction of musical structures. During the sass, a group of young American composers vouched for the return of basic elements of music, without dramatic structures and abstract expressionism. Many were influenced by the compositions of John Cage, including several leading gurus of the minimalist movement: Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. A graduate of Berkeley, Riley opposed the chromatic and twelve-tone writings of serial music. Like many of his contemporaries, Riley experimented with tape loops in his compositions and bridged the gap between the new avian-garden and the piqued interest of rock music. Riley was specifically interested in composing works for live audiences, as these proved more effective in conveying the so-called avian-garden sounds. Successful in its reception, this kind of experimental music appealed to the public as t grew in popularity and acceptance; his music was inclusive and non-elite. Varying degrees of musical experience and backgrounds were encouraged. An excellent example of this can be found in his composition, In C. Written in 1964, In C did not necessarily require the skills of highly trained musicians to be performed. The piece lasts 44 minutes, although one would not suspect it to be so lengthy as it only contains fifty-three modules in total. Any number of instruments could play at a given time either at the original pitch or at any octave transposition. Each of the fifty-three modules were to be looped; in other words, they should be repeated ad labium before moving on to the next module. Moreover, articulations and dynamics were to be performed ad labium. The work finally concluded when all of the performers had arrived at the last module. While it appears that Riley music contains a sort of anything goes mentality, it is quite the contrary in some respects. In choosing instruments for the actual performance, Riley suggested that all players maintain an eighth-note pulse, which was audibly heard by an instrumentalist who played the top octave of CSS, most likely plan n a piano or xylophone. Furthermore, Riley favored more homogeneous sound; thus, instruments that consisted of specific timbres and ranges were discouraged. In C was a prime example in proving that minimalist music was not music void of regulations and rules; rather, it stemmed from algorithms. Riley considered these algorithms fundamental to his music even if they appeared loose by nature. Interestingly enough, the C-pulse in Riley work was not his own idea, but instead that of another contemporary, Steve Reich. Reich was born in 1936 and his compositions were heavily influenced by non- Western traditions. He studied African drumming, which involved complex counterpoint, and Balinese gametal music, with its complex layering and fast interlocking patterns. Quite different in background from Riley, Reich was born into wealthy and high-class family in New York. Having had traditional piano lessons growing up, an impressive education at Cornell with a major in Philosophy, and graduate studies at the Jailbird School in traditional composition, Reich eventually found his path in composing twentieth-century music. Upon listening to recordings of Stravinsky Rite of Spring, Bachs Brandenburg Concertos, and bebop in succession, Riches developed a new musical obsession, what theorists would call, subtractive pulse. It is steady, audible pulse that is practically palpable (found in, In C). Death Metal Music EssayTypically, electronic instruments and pitches were utilized in minimalist music, as these particular sounds highlighted the monotony and reiteration of melodic and rhythmic cells. Prior to the twentieth-century, instruments were played and heard by way of inflection and nuance, whereas minimalist music omitted any sort of variance in expressive sound. Academic surrealist composers often dismissed the work of the non-academic avian-garden minimalists, but to the minimalist composer, music could be void of numbers and musical maps. Past Western traditions were based on rules and structures, cost of which minimalist composers rejected. The ideology that music should stem from reduced musical elements, and that their growth should be gradual and rather organic, pinned this musical genre as experimental and innovative. Transformation was marked by gradual processes and superfluous elements were disregarded and deemed unnecessary. The process of development was more important than the end result, much like the idea that Joy and self-evolution is found in the Journey and not Just in achieving it. Minimalism opposed the conservative or nostalgic and sought no return to older styles.

Public vs private sppech free essay sample

Throughout life we express ourselves through words. The way we present ourselves through speech says a lot about our character. The way one speaks to others can Jeopardize the amount of respect and trust others have for them. From the way one pronounces a word to their posture can affect the way an audience interprets what is being said. Personally, I am not confident with my speaking skills at this point. I would like my audience to fully comprehend the concepts or facts that I would present to them.In order to do so I must Improve my speaking skills I believe that a problem most people, including myself, have when giving speeches is facing an audience. Just looking out to an audience oaf mere ten could get your knees knocking. I know it is important not to let your audience know that you are nervous because this could easily make them doubt what you are about to say. We will write a custom essay sample on Public vs private sppech or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It Is Impossible to speak at ease without knowing what you are talking about.I guess the only way to ease this overwhelming anxiety when stepping up to the podium would be through thorough preparation. Sometimes when we get up to the podium we feel that the spotlight upon us is just so unbearable that we tend to rush through our speeches. I know that this problem has to get back to my seat. This is definitely a speech flaw that has to be touched up for How can my audience comprehend a concept I am trying to get across to them if my speech might as well be in a foreign language?The whole point of a speech is to get message across to an audience or a group of people. If you speed through a speech and just mumble, you are not only wasting your own time but your audiences as well. When giving a speech it is handy to have a list of key concepts with you that you want to get cross to your audience. Writing out your whole speech will not do. Writing out your full speech may cause you to have your head buried in your notes for your entire presentation.As a high school student you can get away with this, but in the real world no one will trust you unless you look them in the eye when talking to them. I must admit that it is very hard for me to look at people when I am giving a speech, but it is imperative that I do so. I not only want my audience to understand what I am trying to say to them, but I want them to believe me as well. Also, when you dont face your audience they tend to lose interest and start conversations or activities of their own.In order to gain the trust and respect of your audience, it is absolutely necessary to look them in the eye when speaking to them. Boring to hear a speech that is given in a monotonous voice without any variety in their tone. Speaking in monotone puts your audience to sleep. This can happen to anyone who is reading their speech word for word. It has happened to me, and before I knew it my speech was over and my applause was nothing close to enthusiastic.You cannot expect your audience to be interested in your topic if you sound as if youre not interested in it yourself. I have to emphasize again that these kinds of situations can be avoided by thorough preparation and lots of practice. My behavior when others are speaking depends entirely on the speakers themselves. If he/she is not excited about what they have to say, I wont be either. Usually I try my best to give speakers the same respect I wish to receive, but as I stated earlier, my respect for what they have to say depends entirely on the presentation of beech.This semester, in Personal and Public Speech, I would like to improve my speaking skills. I would like to be confident when speaking in front of an audience, I would like to receive the respect of my peers for what I have to say, I would like to learn how to overcome anxiety and its effects on my speech when speaking in front of a large this class is very important and pertains to future obstacles when entering the work force. I am really looking forward to building up my confidence and improving my speaking skills in this class.

buy custom She Loves a Challenge essay

buy custom She Loves a Challenge essay 1. The four stages of team development included: (a) solving employees private issues; (b) solving employees collective issues; (c) implementation of new rules and motivation; (d) the continuity of the system, promoted by old workers with changed models of collective action. According to Tuckmans teamwork theory, they can be defined as forming, storming, norming, and performing respectively (The Happy Manager, n.d.). The first stage included one-to-one sessions with each employee that was aimed at revealing personal motives and principles of interaction with the rest of the staff. The director explained the above-mentioned as a difficult start with the purpose of changing personal attitudes. The second stage required the confrontation of employees altogether to ensure revealing, discussing and eliminating the basis for future confrontations. The aim of this stage was explained clearly and honestly. The director agreed that it was an extremely difficult task, but it was also of crucia l importance for future collective interaction in a positive way. The next stage was about the implementation of the new rules, which excluded potential threats of conflict behavior. The rules were explained in a strict manner, though by motivation of the staff followed it. Overall, this stage of team development is characterized as implementing new principles of collective conduct, shifting accents from I/me to us/we. The director reasoned that unity of action and thought at work provides a positive-thinking environment that enhances the productivity. The last stage was the succession of a new paradigm of collective action. This time, old employees with brand new model of cooperative interaction were sharing it with individuals that wanted to fit this system. Thus, the circle of succession was closed and the new model became fixed and permanent. 2. In this case, the directors strategy affected team spirit and team work. These notions are different because team spirit mainly means the characteristic of psychological atmosphere of the staff, whereas teamwork is the process of collaborative completing the task in order to achieve the set goal (How to Build, n.d.). If every individual from the staff shares collective values and appreciates the views of ones colleagues without confronting them, such staff can be characterized as the one that has team spirit. Organizations can experience serious troubles while lacking team spirit. Even a well-organized and planned venture may fail its objectives without the commitment of the team behind it. Building team spirit is about engaging the emotions of the team members (How to Build, n.d.). In its turn, team-work is the process affected by the existence of the team spirit. When every individual trusts his or her colleagues, it will assist an effective teamwork. Thus, a team is more than a group of people, aimed at the achievement of a collective goal. It is a group of people, which strength is based on the relationships among team members. Members of such group are interdependent. An ideal team is characterized by the feedback and communication behaviors of its members, their behavior and conduct courtesies, and their ways of approaching tasks and problems (Nazzaro Starazzabosco, 2009). This particular case has stressed team spirit in order to change it and improve the characteristics of the teamwork. 3. MBWA is a practice of team building that has full name as Management By Wandering Around, or Management By Walking About. This concept includes approaches aimed at active interaction of a director or a staff manager with his or her team. Experts say this practice can increase the potential of a team through the influences on staff approachability, trust, business knowledge, accountability, morale and productivity (Management By Wandering Around, n.d.). All in all, this practice makes a director an active member of the life of ones staff, providing him or her with persistent contact with the team. In connection to the studied case, such choice of a management approach by the director serves as evidence that she is an open-minded person, willing to take part in daily life of her team and be able to assist it whenever there is a need. The case also serves as an example of great teambuilding skills the director has. Judging from the presented case, one may assume the results of the ab ove-mentioned approach were extremely productive as it was supported by the evidence. The director observed positive effect of her methods of teambuilding: employees seemed to become closer together, all sources of confrontations were excluded, and the staff worked according to the new principles of work. 4. Dr. Shaheen used various methods for motivating her employees. Her usual accent was on the unproductiveness of selfish behavior while being a part of a team. The behavior of the director in this sense goes along with McClellands theory of learned needs. According to this approach, a person is led by three motivation factors in ones life: achievement, affiliation, and power (McClellands Human Motivation Theory, n.d.). Dr. Shaheen first referred to achievement, stating that the team is to successfully achieve its tasks and be productive. Then, she shifted to affiliation, applying to the fact that hand-in-hand work provides a great experience of cooperation. Power was mentioned the last, insisting that a united team can achieve greater goals than a usual group of people. Thus, the director used a comprehensive method of motivating her team. Another positive fact about her approach is that she did not try to motivate the team with money. Motivation by material things has a short-term perspective, but more important goals and challenges need a ground that is more stable than finance. More than that, the question of difference in wages may lead to confrontation of one member of a team with another. If I happened to be a consultant observing Dr. Shaheens performance, I would advise her to conduct sociometric studies from time to time. I believe that this procedure would add more objective information concerning the relations inside the team because sociometric measurement methods give insights about an individuals social competence and standing within an examined group (Busse, 2009). Such analysis would make it possible to ensure minor corrections in the attitudes of team members towards each other. Buy custom She Loves a Challenge essay

Product Pricing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Product Pricing Strategy - Essay Example Hence, it is very important that the organization should know all their costs in developing the products and in their marketing & inventory holding. Once the internal thresholds are known there are multiple additional factors that drive pricing decisions from market perspective. Monroe and Bitta (1978. pp414) presented a consolidated view of multiple models of product pricing decision classified as - new product models, product line models, price change models and price structure models. The indicated their choice for market comparisons based pricing - like related products, volumes in demands, number of discounted units, price differential with competition, etc. These factors have been empirically accepted by product strategists in pricing their products. However, the author agrees with a new theory presented more recently in 2000 by Thakur and Nair et al. (2000. pp90-92) on product pricing stating that products should be priced based on consumer preferences and not by the actual pr ices or consumer budgets. They reiterated that the products should be offered with the characteristics preferred by customers kept above thresholds and priced based on maximum welfare model such that consumers having wide variations of income can afford the product. This is particularly prevalent in automobile and consumer durables markets. Armstrong (1996. pp51-52) argued that prices should be kept variable as per customer preferences such that premium customers buying larger quantities are offered lesser prices and standard customers buying lesser quantities are offered more prices. However, it is observed that when customer preferences are combined with inventory levels, companies tend to increase prices irrespective of whether the customers are premium or standard. There are some concerns in such models that the author presents in the next section. Ethical considerations and other concerns in product pricing Ethical considerations are specifically required to be considered in monopolistic product pricing when dynamic pricing is carried out with fluctuating demands combined with inventory levels. Elmaghraby and Keskinocak (2003. pp1288-1289) discussed that, empirically, dynamic pricing has been one of the best practices in products and services due to change in customer demands (like urgent deliveries needed) or change in inventory levels (less inventory of products in more demand). This strategy is largely prevalent in service industries - like Airlines, Hotels, Transportation, etc. From the ethical perspective, the author hereby argues that dynamic pricing should not be carried out for essential commodities like food, clothes, medicines, healthcare, hospital beds, etc. Some companies increase prices substantially as soon as they witness customer orders with urgency. There are theories in operations research to maximize profits by taking urgent supply orders from customers at premium pri ces (example, Levin & Ma. 2004. pp217). While it may be a good practice to service customers with urgent

Elise Smart's Problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Elise Smart's Problem - Essay Example As the discussion highlights the various factors that influence sustained performance (ability, motivation, resources, role clarity, reinforcement) are examined, as well as steps leaders can take in improving performance of those for whom they are responsible. Since Elise Smart was so sure about the rating of Ketchum, Elise will suggest that Ketchum will undergo further training and understanding of her position in the organization. Because of the appraisal that she was getting Darlene Ketchum maybe is assuming that she is still doing the right thing. But Elise Smart sees it in a different way. Ketchum is no longer functioning as what she was before. Maybe because of several factors the performance of Ketchum declines without her knowing it. Elise Smart must show proof and facts that her observation on Ketchum performance is valid and accurate. This study outlines that the case of Elise Smart in the Milleneum Insurance are quiet tough. Smart must be able to show proof and facts that Darlene Ketchum deserves to have a very low appraisal such as data on poor performance and other mistakes that Ketchum has committed to correlate it with Elise’s report. It will be hard for Smart to convince the organization since Ketchum was appraised before as to be one of the excellent employees of the company. The problem is how will Smart will be able to show that her assessment and observation to Ketchum is valid. In the company during appraisal Elise need to discuss the assessment made to Ketchum and she will sign the assessment form. The problem of Elise is that whether Darlene Ketchum will accept the evaluation or not. How will Elise show the appraisal if Ketchum still assumes that she will have the excellent rating? Darlene Ketchum needs to sign the said evaluation before Elise Smart will be able to forward it to the vice-presid ent.  

Measures Taken for Reducing Maid Abuse in Singapore Essay Example for Free

Measures Taken for Reducing Maid Abuse in Singapore Essay There are approximately 150,000 migrant domestic workers (MDW) in Singapore and many of them suffer forms of abuse – physical and sexual violence, food deprivation, confinement in workplace and late or non-payment of salary. In 2011, an estimated 4000 MDWs ran away from their employers’ home, many of them frustrated, overworked and underpaid. (TWC2, 2011) The Singapore law doesn’t stipulate a minimum wage or mandatory rest days in contracts for these domestic workers. Instead, many initiatives have been put in place to protect the interests of these workers. (Agence France Presse, 2003) From January 2005, workers seeking to enter Singapore as MDWs have to be at least 23 years of age and have completed a minimum 8 years of formal education. They must also sit for an entry test in English to validate the worker’s linguistic, numerical and practical abilities. These measures are aimed at improving the overall quality of workers who will be working in Singapore households in an effort to promote harmonious working relationships with their employers. These workers will also be in a stronger position to understand their rights and seek protection or recourse under Singapore law should they suffer any form of abuse or ill treatment. Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has also put in place training courses to educate employers. Starting from April 2004, first time employers of MDWs have to attend a compulsory Employers Orientation Program, which educates employers on their obligations towards these workers. It underlines good employment practices to promote mutual respect between both parties. A new accreditation system has also been put in place to regulate employment agencies, which provide recruitment and placement services of these MDWs from June 2004. The accreditation requirements include proper orientation of MDWs, employer education in regards to their obligations towards the welfare of MDWs and the facilitation of written employment contracts between MDWs and their employers. Failure to achieve this accreditation will result in agency’s license being revoked. While these measures work towards protecting MDWs interests and well being, the challenge to make sure agencies and employers follows suit still exists. There are still cases of physical abuse reported and many more go undetected and unreported even though the government has stiffened penalties for acts of abuse against MDWs. Moreover, there are currently no regulations on fees charged by these agencies resulting in excessive fees being paid by MDWs to secure employment in Singapore, some of whom receive no salary for up to a year just to pay off these fees. (HRW, pg 48-51) Regulations should be passed to limit the extent these fees are being charged to MDWs. Singapore’s government also charges employers of MDWs a monthly levy of S$345 on top of a bond of $5000 per worker. This tax allows the Singapore government to collect approximately $400m each year, of which very little goes towards improving support services for these workers. The government should in turn use these taxes to help to create awareness of maid abuse or to pass it on to the various Volunteer Welfare Organisations such as Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics and Transient Workers Count Too to work on prevention of maid abuse. It is MOMs requirement that the maid go for a medical check up every six months. Beside this measure, they could also conduct regular spot check on the maid, just like what they done for the foreign construction workers to check on safety measurements.

Race, Class and Gender Essay -- Social Issues, Homosexuals

Franklin (1987) also alluded that patriarchy did not serve black men; the notion of black men being domineering over groups is questionable. Besides, Pleck (2008) claimed that the male heterosexual-homosexual dichotomy is used as the main symbolic tool defining the rankings of masculinity. Highlighting racial politics, it would be interesting to have a study focusing on the power relations between white gay men and black heterosexual men. This is premised on the stance that the racial hierarchy, regardless of its dismissal, seems to continue to characterise socio-economic relations. stated that race remains a factor because it is deeply embedded within the subconscious, a discussion on this shall follow suit. McClintock (1992: 5) declared that â€Å"race, class and gender are not distinct realms of experience existing in splendid isolation from each other. Rather they come into existence in and through relations to each other.† Moreover, colonialism was not experienced in the same manner due to the political nuances that transpired. For a purpose yet to be illustrated, the historicity of colonial experiences shall be sidelined. Colonial justifications were premised upon pseudo science about race and the application of the Darwinist rhetoric. McClintock (1992) cited that social evolutionists applied the allegory of a tree as an indication of subordination and hierarchy of racial groups. There were concepts such as the family of man whereby a racialized and cultural hierarchy relegated black people to the bottom of the chain within a gendered order. Economically, white men came first, and then white women; black men and women followed respectively. Thus black men, although observation and living within an imposed binary const... ...the assumption of equality have influenced gender relations. Moving back to her reflection of heroic masculinity, Unterhalter (2000) inferred from the autobiographies she analysed that adventure, danger, daring in thought or deed and loyalty were key parts of masculinity. This notion of loyalty can be detected in Malema’s willingness to â€Å"kill for Zuma† utterance. However, what other explanations are there for the then loyal support of Zuma despite. A possible reason, which may be viewed as interlocking with the gender analysis, is Chipkin’s work titled ‘The Sublime Object of Blackness’. Chipkin (2002), in his endeavour to identify the discursive mechanism relating to the notion of blackness, showed how aspects of the subjective characterization of blackness under the black struggle against apartheid have permeated into post-apartheid definitions of blackness.