Peer Review

The Encyclopedia of Traditional Celtic Music

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Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This site includes a myriad of information ranging from the definition
of Celtic music through time to music theory (modal), a description and history of Celtic instruments, midi files of early music (not all celtic), and a history link (not music history) with an article entitled "The Mysterious disappearance of eight US Presidents." The author states that he is "collecting information which I find illuminating on the subject of music history, historical performance techniques, and anything else which appeals to me."
Type of Material:: Reference text, midi files, and pictures.
Recommended Uses:: This could be used as a resource for Celtic music and performance practice throughout history. The author raises some issues about history and the perception of Celtic music as well as music history in general that would make could seed for discussion.
Technical Requirements:: A standard Internet browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The primary goal is the definition and history of Celtic music, instruments, and performance practice.
Target Student Population:: The text intensive pages would work best for high school through adult. Some information would be appropriate for junior high age.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: No prerequisite knowledge or skills are needed to use or understand this site.

Rating:
Strengths:: The representative articles the authors compiled have informative, accurate and
useful information. The diversity of articles presented are discerning and expansive and sources used to document their concise disquisitions on history are respectable.
Concerns:: Images are not captioned. The site is not intended to be comprehensive.

Rating:
Strengths:: This site has a variety of topics related to Celtic music that would enhance the presentation of historical information. This could be used as a resource in the following subjects: history, multicultural music, music appreciation, and music history. Topic areas are divided so that a teacher could direct students to a specific link. The reading level is appropriate for high school or university level students.
Concerns:: The tone of the writing occasionally interferes with presentation of the content.

Rating:
Strengths:: The structured hierarchy of information in the site-design is well organized, if a little complex. The pages are attractive, inviting and uncluttered. The author does present a site map which be helpful to some users.
Concerns:: The links to Indiana University, as well as other sites, are no longer working. Reviews of recordings include primarily instrumental works with very few on vocal works and information on what the recordings accomplish in overall musicality. Inconsistent use of background images does not contribute to navigation scheme. The site includes extensive narrative that requires persistence of the reader.

Other Issues and Comments:: This site includes a limited number of MIDI files but would benefit from the
addition of audio or video files.
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