Soundtrack Project

For our final project on this unit, you will be charged with the task of creating a soundtrack for a specific theme found in The Great Gatsby. You will be using existing songs with the additional option to create one song of your own for extra credit. Musicians make very specific choices for their album covers, so you will also be creating a cover page for your own soundtrack. Lastly, the songs order should be well thought out and meaningful, just like on an original cd. You will then be placing your songs into iMovie or Garageband and presenting your album to the class.

Project requirements:

 You may work alone, in pairs, or in trios.  Your group will then need to pick 5 existing songs that as a group you feel should be included on the soundtrack. You will be turning in a printed copy of the lyrics for each song you select. Each song should directly relate to a major theme found in The Great Gatsby (*see below for a list of your options).  You may add a bonus song for extra credit to the soundtrack, but it must be an original song. You may write this as a group. It should have approximately 3 verses and a strong chorus. You will need to record this song with voices and instruments (as needed) for the presentation aspect of this assignment. You will need to submit the lyrics to this song as well.  Your group will then create a front cover for your album specific to The Great Gatsby. This can be created by hand or digitally and should be impressive and sophisticated to receive full credit. For example: a generic stick figure on a white background will not suffice.  Your group will also submit a back cover for your album, which should include the track listing in a well thought out order.  Your group will be turning in a written rationale for each of the album’s songs. This will be a 75-word rationale for EACH song you select explaining why you chose that song (why was this song appropriate for this theme?). Draw connections, make references, and include at least 1 specific quote from the novel to defend each selection. Your rationale should specifically explain why you chose to include the song in your album.  You will also submit a 3-5 sentence rationale for your front cover illustration (how does your designed cover represent the novel and your tracks?). ALL of your rationales should be in one organized document turned in with your front and back cover and your works cited page.  Next, you will need to include an MLA formatted citation of each song on a works cited page. -Ex: Artist. “Song Title.” By Author. Album Title. Place of recording, year of recording. -Ex: Beatles, The. “I am the Walrus.” By John Lennon. Magical Mystery Tour. London, 1967.  Lastly, your group will be presenting your soundtrack in an iMovie or Garageband presentation to the class. For each song on the album you will select the strongest 30 seconds and put them in your presentation. Your entire presentation should not go over 3 minutes unless you need to add your own original song. If you do include the recording of the song you wrote, the whole song should be recorded. This may go over 3 minutes.

Each group will be selecting ONE theme to correspond with the album. Only one group may present on each theme. Each song you select and if you choose to write one, should all connect to the theme you select. Pick your partner(s) first and then decide on a theme. You can fill out the chart when you are ready.

*Major Themes in The Great Gatsby: o The America Dream o Repeating the past o Immorality o Materialism o The eyes of T. J. Eckleberg/God’s judgment o Dissatisfaction o Class o Isolation o Gender Roles o Lies and Deceit o Self-Discovery o Reality verse Delusion o Society verse Individual Rubric- Name(s): ______Pd: ____ 21 Major Points

Part 1- Cd Design:

Cover Illustration: ____ / 2

Illustration Rationale: ____ / 1.5 Addresses theme, songs, and The Great Gatsby

Back Cover Including Track Listing: ____ / 1

Part 2- Songs:

At least 5 songs present on the album ( .25 each): ____ / 1.25

All 5 song lyrics are printed and provided ( .25 each): ____ / 1.25

Song Rationales (2 each): ____ / 10 Each song rationale is sophisticated and detailed, justifying the decision to include it on the album. At least 1 specific quote is present in each rationale connecting the song to the theme. The group’s selected theme is discussed and accurately addressed connecting it to the song in each rationale.

MLA format including a Works Cited page with each song cited correctly: ____ / 2

Bonus Song: ____ / 3 Bonus song is original, lyrics are provided, song is recorded, and rationale is present and meets above requirements for a rationale connecting to the group’s theme.

Part 3- Presentation:

Presentation: ____ / 2 Presentation includes approximately 30 seconds for each song and full recording of bonus song (as needed). Presentation does not go over 3 minutes in length unless bonus recording is included.

TOTAL: _____ / 21 Theme: Group member names period 2:

1. The America Dream- ______

2. Repeating the past- ______

3. Immorality- ______

4. Materialism- ______

5. The eyes of T. J. Eckleberg & God’s judgment- ______

6. Dissatisfaction- ______

7. Class - ______

8. Isolation- ______

9. Gender Roles- ______

10. Lies and Deceit- ______

11. Self-Discovery- ______

12. Reality verse Delusion- ______

13. Society verse Individual - ______Theme: Group member names period 3:

7. Class - ______

13. Society verse Individual - ______Theme: Group member names period 7:

7. Class - ______

13. Society verse Individual - ______Soundtrack Project Chunking & Due Dates:

Due Wednesday, March 9 at the beginning of the period in HARD copy:  Back cover with the track listing that will include all 5 songs in an accurate order- (or 6 if you are planning on doing the extra credit option).  5 songs lyrics- printed out (your bonus song lyrics will not be due however until Monday, March 14th).

Due Thursday, March 10 by the END of the period in HARD copy:  Rationales for each of the 5 songs on your soundtrack, printed in MLA format- (your extra credit 6th song rationale will not be due until March 14th).

Due Monday, March 14th by 8am:  Presentation uploaded to the drop box on Scoodle including all 5 OR 6 songs.

Due Monday, March 14th at the beginning of the period in HARD copy:  Front Cover Illustration- (can be digital or by hand).  Front Cover Rationale  Work Cited Page including each of the 5 songs on your track in MLA format.  Bonus/Extra Credit Materials, which includes the song’s lyrics and the rationale for your original song.