Extended concert review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Extended concert review - Essay Example The ensemble that was used for the jazz performance was based on the contemporary style of jazz that formed from big band. This was inclusive of the rhythm section that drove forward the different pieces of music by keeping the beat to each of the songs. This was followed by the brass and saxophone sections that balanced out a stronger sound to the ensemble. The sections interchanged different solo forms while holding the melody or the harmonies that were used throughout each of the pieces. This combination of factors then provided a different approach to the music played while developing a specific sound that made a stronger statement to the different pieces that were played. The blend of instrumentation created a louder sound through each of the pieces while making a bold statement with the melodies and with the more dissonant harmonies that were a part of the performance. The style of jazz that was played consisted of more classical forms, such as from the 1950s – 1970s. Th ere was a combination with some contemporary pieces; however, all were based on the level of the performance that was a part of the ensemble. The first piece that was heard was a jazz standard called â€Å"Invitation.† This was followed by a second standard also known as a blues standard by Jerry Lewis and which was well – known for being associated with a contemporary Hollywood video scene. This was followed by other standards, such as George Gershwin’s â€Å"Someone to Watch Over Me.† The standards continued as a main part of the jazz ensemble and approach taken toward the music. There were distinct melodies that were a part of the styles used, as opposed to more new age and contemporary styles that has more experimentation and breaks the rules of jazz. This was done because of the performers that were a part of the stage and the approaches which were used in conducting the ensemble. The more contemporary songs included more dissonance with the harmonie s and distinguished sounds that were combined with the melodies to create the right type of effect. The jazz ensemble was able to build the right approach to the music by combining the melody and harmony of more classical styles to build a strong foundation with the music that was played. An important part of the performance was with the improvisation that was a part of the performance. The improvisation was defined by soloists that had a 16 bar section on average for a solo. This rotated between different instruments, such as the piano, trumpet or trombone. Each individual was able to create their own interpretation of the music by using their own melodic lines or approaches. The improvisation that was heard could associate strongly with the chord structure and harmonies that were behind the jazz pieces. When listening to the solos, it could be heard that the changes in chordal structure was what led the ensembles. Each of the soloists would have a scale or set of notes that went a round the chords played in the background. When these changed, the improvisation also altered into a different chordal structure and scale that was played. There wasn’t a distinguished melody by the improvisation and most stayed within the most comfortable range of the instrument to create the necessary sound. The strengths of the

Rising Unemployment Puts Strain on Social Security Fund Article

Rising Unemployment Puts Strain on Social Security Fund - Article Example However, with the recent financial crisis, the number of jobholders has been diminishing significantly leading to severe unemployment problem which in turn resulted in the reduction in inflow to social security trust fund. The origin of problem due to rising unemployment has been vividly described by Lori Montgomery (2009) in the article entitled â€Å"Rising unemployment puts the strain on Social Security fund† in Washington Post. Montgomery describes the negative impact of the U.S. recession on the Social Security trust fund that affected the social security benefits for nearly 51 million retirees and other recipients. More alarmingly, due to the existence of this situation, total surplus funds at the moment may get eroded by end of 2010 far earlier than expected period. The main concern is that a lot of necessity exists at the moment for the US government to spend on infrastructure and human resource development and the shortfall of social security fund is expected to make the financial balance sheet worse. In general, the Treasury Department borrows money from the Social Security trust fund to finance government operations and this option will no longer be available in nearby future due to this recent crisis. This would certainly force US government to borrow an additional $700 billion over the next decade from other countries like China and Japan. Another concern is that by 2017, the Treasury would have to start repaying the billions it has borrowed from the trust fund over the past 25 years, which forces the government to widen its external debt. This would force the US government to enhance the tax rates considerably on the limited number of employees. Recent Congress budget presentation in August 2008 revealed that the earlier projections were satisfactory, but the condition changed towards negative trend very rapidly with loss of more than 4 million jobs coupled with the recession.