Concert Report essays

Concert Report essays My first concert report will be on the performance by the Musaeus String Quartet on Tuesday, February 24. It featured Ms. Patrice Jegou as mezzo-soprano to the quartet. The string quartet consisted of Mr. Norbert Boehm and Mrs. Maria Geppert on the violin, Mr. Graham Tagg on the viola, and Mr. Mark Rodgers on the cello. Looking quickly over the program, the back of it consisted of the lyrics in German of the songs that Ms. Jegou was to perform. The first piece was Auf dem Wasser zu singen (Over the Water Singing) by Franz Schubert. As string quintet and quartets are meant for intimate settings, it provided the perfect setting for this piece. The piece wasnt played too loud by the quintet, more of a mezzo piano dynamic. Ms. Jegous mezzo-soprano voice carried well over the instrumentals, in a mezzo forte dynamic. The quintet played more of an accompanying role in polyphonic melody. The tempo of the piece was at moderato pace. In other words, the whole tempo of the singer and quintet was in a singing/ballad pace. This is very appropriate as to simulate singing over the water. The texture of the singing and instrumentals was very water-like. The harmonic consonance was also very effective in portraying the theme of the piece. The imitative polyphony was also one thing I noticed that really added to the effect of the music overall. I really enjoyed this piece because Ms. Jegous voice was very beautiful as she was v ery well paired with her fellow musicians. The second piece in the Schubert set was called Restless Love. This piece was in contrast played in a faster vivace tempo. The tempo was mostly vivace but had variances in it; sometimes it slowed to an adagio pace and then sped up again. This is very effective in illustrating the theme of the piece which deals with restlessness. The quintet like in the first piece played an accompanying role to Ms. Jegou. The harmony was consonant...

South Africa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

South Africa - Essay Example It is important to note that 1948 was an election year whereby there were two major parties competing; i.e. the National Party and the United Party (Worger, 2004). The United Party on one hand had a soft stand on apartheid as it tended to lean towards integration of all communities and races, which was believed to be unavoidable. To the majority whites, this meant that all South Africans would therefore enjoy equal rights under the leadership of the party and therefore, there were fears among the whites that the non whites would increase competition in the job market especially if they were allowed to migrate to the urban centers, which would have also meant that the cost of labor in the industries would have gone up as the whites utilized cheap labor from the non whites. The National party on the other hand utilized this fear and came up with a pro-apartheid policy which it vowed to establish once it was elected into power and which saw its winning the elections and therefore produc ing the first prime minister under the apartheid regime (Thompson, 2001). The events that followed can only be termed as the worst historical injustices in the history of South Africa.

Location and Layout of IKEA Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Location and Layout of IKEA - Assignment Example Elements pertaining to prospective customers become crucial considerations in creating the internal environment of retail stores and outlets that embodies its marketing philosophy, and finding the site that best supports its marketing strategy. Ikea is an internationally renowned furniture company with a global presence and strong market following. Its key strategy is to provide quality at affordable cost; its vision is to enable everybody, regardless of economic wealth or status, to be able to acquire beautifully designed and well manufactured furniture at reasonable prices. In order to realize this vision, costs must be kept down and distribution made more efficient, which are the most important objectives in the location and layout of Ikea stores. ... 1.0 Introduction The management decision about where to locate the firm’s productive facilities is always a critical strategic consideration for the firm, because it involves a long term investment, and it impacts on cost efficiency and therefore profitability. Layout is likewise of critical concern because the manner in which facilities are appointed either support or constrain smooth operations. While these aspects of a business are important in all types of operations such as manufacturing, it is in in the retail distribution function (whether in goods or services) that both layout and location play a crucial role, because of the interface it creates between the firm’s productive activities and its intended market. Ikea is a retail company whose stores’ location and layout designs are governed by the company philosophy; as a consequence, these aspects of the business have assumed unique characteristics that have provided the firm both advantages and disadvanta ges. 2.0 Literature Review Layout concerns â€Å"the optimum arrangement of facilities including personnel, operating equipment, storage space, material handling equipment, and all other supporting services along with the design of the best structure to contain all these facilities† (Moore, 1962 as cited in Kumar & Suresh, 2006, p. 14). Traditionally, the basic types of layout are fixed position, process, cell, and product layout schemes (Slack, et al., 2010). There are numerous combinations of these basic types, and in detailing one particular design in a retail centre, important considerations are market strategy and flow of people and materials. Location of facilities is â€Å"a long term capacity decision which involves a long-term commitment about the geographically static factors that affect a

Kantian Ethics Essay Example for Free

Kantian Ethics Essay

Laertes and Polonius as Foils to Hamlet Essay -- GCSE Coursework Shake

Laertes and Polonius as Foils to Hamlet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Foils are the minor characters in a play that aid in developing the more important characters. By using the similarities and differences between two characters, the audience can get a better understanding of that major character. In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses many foils to develop the major characters of his play. Two foils that Shakespeare used to develop Hamlet's character were Laertes and Polonius.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the foils important to the play is Laertes.   Although Laertes does not appear   often in the play, he brings much to the plot and to Hamlet's character. These two are similar in many ways. They both seem to be about the same age, are well educated, and gentleman. One main thing that they have in common is they both are seeking revenge for their father's deaths. Both of their fathers were unnecessarily killed. Hamlet's father was killed by his father's brother for the crown and his wife, and Hamlet killed Laertes' father over mistaken identity. It was the revenge of these two that made up the plot of the story. Because of Laertes, the two could finally fulfill their revenge in the battle at the end that killed both Hamlet and the new king. If Laertes had not challenged Hamlet, the king would have died by some other way; however, the king died by poisoning just as he had killed his brother.        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another similarity in the play is the fact that both Laertes and Hamlet died by the poisoned tip of the same sword. Laertes and Hamlet were the last two to die. This completed the circle of everyone that had been directly involved in the disgraceful scandal had died. [SS] The poison killed the King, Queen, Hamlet, and Laertes, Polonius was killed by Ha... ...of the foils Shakespeare used to develop Hamlet's character. The one that did the best in accomplishing this task was Laertes, though. Laertes and Hamlet had a common goal, and if it hadn't been for him[,] the story would have taken a totally different route. Polonius was a good foil in that he convinced everyone that Ophelia was the cause of Hamlet's madness. If he hadn't been Ophelia's father, this part of the story may not have been as effective.    Works Cited Bloom, Harold. Modern Critical Interpretations Of Hamlet. New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Charney, Maurice. All of Shakespeare. New York, NY. Columbia University Press. 1993. Magill, Frank N. Masterplots. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1995. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The Riverside Shakespeare. ED. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Haughton Mifflin Company, 1974.

Computer background

The booming industry of technology, one would naturally assume that computer literacy is not a problem. However, it is the case that not all of the people have the opportunity to learn the new technological advancement. It has been an issue that computer literacy has a big impact on a person’s capacity to find sufficient jobs. It has been a necessary requirement that one should have a certain background on computer works. It would seem then that being literate with computers had been a forgone issue for a person living in this era. Nonetheless, the issue of computer literacy has always been present. The essential knowledge that a dichotomy of generations is still present should not have been neglected. The problem that could be seen here then is that not all of the previous generations have the sufficient information about computers and other technological advancements. Other people might have the opportunity to learn but others could not cope with the advancement. Main reason for this is the issue of the socioeconomic status that a person might have. Learning to use computers would necessitate the need for computers in the home. Not all of the people though have the same opportunity financially though. At the rate of the fast advancement of computers, it would have been hard to be able to keep up with what ought to be learned. The main issue here then is the socioeconomic status that a person has. Learning could be done through computer classes but having the means to learn is the problem. It would seem that the major hindrance for learning is the monetary issue. But what is socioeconomic status? It is known that this refers to the status or background of person. It is here that a person’s background that includes his/her â€Å"occupation, education, income wealth, and place on residence (â€Å"Socioeconomic Status†)† is scrutinized. In this aspect, there could be those who are deemed to be unfortunate. They are the ones who are usually subjected to the harsh realities in this life. Those who could be considered poor then would have a deprived background. Those who could be considered well-off would have a privileged background. It could be seen here that not all of us has the privilege to have a relatively better socioeconomic status. The benefits of having a better status are countless especially when a person is determined. But determination could not always take us somewhere if we have not had the chances or opportunities in the first place. I was one of the fortunate ones. Growing up in a family whose socioeconomic status is relatively better than others I had the benefit of going to a good school. I had learned to use the computer through school and had the opportune time to practice at home. As a child, I did not think that computers would have to be relevant in my life since all I cared about was fun and games. Computer class was not considered to be fun and games in my book then so I just went to class and tried my best to pass. As I grew older and childishness had deserted me, I have learned the real value of computer classes. I took it seriously and realized that fun and games could also be found in computers. My teachers were drilling in me the basics of computer programs had given me the benefit of being called computer literate. It is not an uncommon knowledge that computer literacy is highly favored nowadays. When I filled out my resume, computer skills or literacy was an important factor. Offices now had long dispatched type writers and replaced it with the more convenient computers. In this time, it is believed that modernization would require the usage of technological aspects and computers are one of them. Computers have been a given necessity that computer illiteracy was a forgotten issue. However, this issue is still in circulation but some would usually shrug at the thought of computer illiteracy. The main culprit here is the presumptuous thinking of the people. They have seemed to have conveniently forgotten those who are down the social triangle. I have come across with other people who did not have the opportunity to learn the ropes of computers let alone had the chance in ever using or touching one. This is not an exaggerated case but this situation usually happens to those who did not have the blessings that I had. This person had to stop going to school so she did not have the opportunity to learn the usage of computers. It was later when she had a family that she realized that her children might suffer the same plight. Although, it would not have been a problem for her since she had managed to send her children to a school that had computer classes. But her frustration came when she would observe her children in front of the computer. Her frustration stemmed out from the fact that she had to learn through her children plus she found computers to be complicated. Generally, a person trying to learn would think it to be complicated but one could not blame him/her. In this case, the woman did not have the opportunity and means to learn since she was busying earning a living. Going back to what I have said earlier, computers had been a prerequisite when it comes to job hunting. The importance that the people had found in computers was due to the dependency that they have about it. My father told me that they did not have to use computers before nor was there a need to use other gadgets before. He usually frowns upon the great importance that people put on computers but in the end he had to learn. The company that he was working for made technological upgrades so he had to learn how to use a computer. Fortunately for my father he had the means to learn and he had his children to teach him. Others would not have been lucky though. Some had a hard time coping with it that soon new employees were easily promoted than them. The company would not always hesitate to do so not because they were not grateful for the loyalty and service but they had to do it for the progress of the company. It was a sad situation but it was inevitable. I think that the booming technologies would not be stopped especially when man thirst for a more unproblematic way of life. It could not be helped and maybe someday soon that what I know about computers would be rustic compared to the younger generations. The best way for me to avoid this is to accommodate the change and change as well. This change would have to be for the betterment of my status in life, work related or not. Work Cited â€Å"Socioeconomic Status.† The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Ed. Jr. E.D. Hirsch, Joseph F. Kett, James Trefil. Third Ed: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.      

Spartas Rise to Power How it Happened

[The Spartans] had obviously committed themselves to assisting the Athenians in any clash with the Persians. Nevertheless, when the news arrived that the Persians had landed at Marathon on the Attic coast in 490, the Spartans were careful to be celebrating an obligatory religious festival that prevented them from coming immediately to the Athenians defense. —Greek Society, by Frank J. Frost. The regimented, fearless, obedient, upper-class Spartan warrior (Spartiate) that we hear so much about was actually in the minority in ancient Sparta. Not only were there more serf-like helots than Spartiates, but the ranks of the lower classes grew at the expense of the upper class, in this early communist society, whenever a Spartiate member failed to make his required contribution to the community. A Small Number of Spartans It has been claimed that the Spartan elite had grown so small that it avoided fighting whenever possible. For instance, although its role was crucial, Spartas appearance in the battles against the Persians during the Persian Wars was often late, and even then, reluctant (although the lateness was sometimes attributed to Spartan piety and observance of religious festivals). Thus, it wasnt so much by concerted aggression that Sparta gained power over the Athenians. End of the Peloponnesian War In 404 B.C. the Athenians surrendered to the Spartans —  unconditionally. This marked the end of the Peloponnesian Wars. Defeating Athens had not been a foregone conclusion, but Sparta emerged victorious for many reasons, including: Tactical errors of the Athenian leaders Pericles and Alcibiades*The plague.Sparta had the backing of allies it had previously helped: Sparta entered the First Peloponnesian War to aid an ally, Corinth, after Athens had taken the side of Corcyra (Corfu) against this, its mother city.A newly-created, large naval fleet —  a major factor contributing to Spartas victory. Previously Athens had been as strong in its navy as Sparta had been weak. Although pretty much all of Greece has the sea to one side, Sparta fronts a dangerous stretch of the Mediterranean —  a situation that had prevented her earlier from becoming a sea power. During the First Peloponnesian War, Athens had kept Sparta at bay by blockading the Peloponnese with its navy. During the Second Peloponnesian War, Darius of Persia supplied the Spartans with the capital to build a capable naval fleet. And so, Sparta won. Spartan Hegemony 404-371 B.C. The next 33 years following Athens surrender to Sparta were known as the Spartan Hegemony. During this period Sparta was the most influential power in all of Greece. The governments of the poleis of Sparta and Athens were at opposite extremes politically: one was an oligarchy and the other a direct democracy. Other poleis were probably run by governments somewhere between the two, and (although we think of ancient Greece as being democratic) Spartas oligarchic government had been closer to the Greek ideal than Athens. Despite this, the imposition of actual Spartan hegemonic control chafed the poleis of Greece. The Spartan in charge of Athens, Lysander, rid the polis of its democratic institutions and ordered political opponents executed. Members of the democratic faction fled. In the end, Spartas allies turned on her. *Under Alcibiades as strategos, the Athenians planned to try to deprive the Spartans of their food supply, by cutting it at its source, Magna Graecia. Before this could happen, Alcibiades was recalled to Athens because of vandalism (mutilation of the herms), in which he was implicated. Alcibiades fled to Sparta where he revealed the Athenian plan. Sources Greek Society, by Frank J. Frost. 1992. Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0669244996 [formerly at www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/PELOWARS.HTM] The Peloponnesian WarBoth Athens and Sparta fought a war of attrition. After Pericles died of the plague, Nicias took over and arranged a truce until the colorful Alcibiades persuaded the Athenians to attack the Greek city-states in Sicily. Athens strength had always resided in her navy, but much of the Athenian fleet was destroyed in this foolish campaign. Still, Athens was able to fight effective naval battles, until after the Persians had lent their support to Sparta, Athens entire naval force was destroyed. Athens surrendered to the great (but soon to be disgraced) Spartan general Lysander. [formerly at www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/SPARHEGE.HTM] The Spartan HegemonyRichard Hookers page explaining the way the Spartans used their period of dominance in Greece to their disadvantage by engaging in an ill-advised alliance with the Persians and then by Agesilaus unprovoked attack on Thebes. The hegemony ended when Athens joined Thebes against Sparta. Theopompus, Lysander and the Spartan Empire (ivory.trentu.ca/www/cl/ahb/ahb1/ahb-1-1a.html)From The Ancient History Bulletin, by I.A.F. Bruce. Theopompus (author of Hellenica) may not have believed Lysanders empire was a serious attempt at panhellenism. Ancient History Sourcebook: 11th Brittanica: SpartaThe history of the Spartans from prehistory to the middle ages. Explains how ill-suited the Spartans were to rule the Greek world and how they surrendered hegemony to the Thebans. Donald Kagans  The Peloponnesian War. 2003. Viking. ISBN 0670032115