Music and Religion

In my experience music has been used in the Christian faith as a way to share theology or to heighten spirituality, predominately during a church service or Mass. As a way to share theology, singing can replace speaking. Hymns serve as a way to highlight Christian beliefs in a way that is sung rather than spoken. Sometimes hymns stress doctrines such as the trinity, like in Reginald Heber's hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy." A doxology hymn, "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow," emphasizes the trinity, and praises God like Jesus taught his disciples when he spoke The Lords Prayer, which is also sometimes sung. Sometimes hymns glorify Holy Communion, like in the song "One Bread, One Body;" this song also emphasizes unity with God, and Catholics believe this happens when receiving Communion.

Instrumental music is played in church to help create a meditative atmosphere, which is conducive to spirituality and prayer. The performance styles that I come to expect within the churches I predominately attend are solemn and formal. They are solemn in the Catholic Church, with parishioners rarely applauding a soloist during Mass, and they are solemn in the Methodist church for generally using traditional, simple hymns. The formality of Catholic music is based on each Mass. The music is limited to specific times in the Mass and has to be in accordance with the theme of the Mass. The Methodist music I've experienced is formal because the hymns are often played by an organ, sung with little movement, and emphasizes classical diction among the choir.

The prevailing religions of my surroundings definitely influence what is found aesthetically pleasing in music. Where I live, the most common religion is Christianity, and there are many churches. My Youth Pastor jokingly said, "You can't throw a rock without hitting a church." Southern Baptist churches are most prevalent, where the music is different than in the churches where I am most at home. Using less of the formality, the congregations applaud after a soloist performs, they may move and clap more, use less diction, and the music seems to be very influenced by country music and bluegrass. Bluegrass is part of the area's heritage, and since beautiful harmonies are part of bluegrass, they are incorporated into bluegrass spirituals. Southern Baptists are very concerned with finding salvation, also known as being saved. The lyrics of bluegrass spirituals are sometimes about this, like in the baptizing song "Down to the River." Country music is often full of lament, which was something that historically the mountain people could understand, living in the harsh elements. I know that these styles are most aesthetically pleasing because it is what is performed most in churches, which are played on our local television channel, and I am only asked to sing operatically at more formal Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, and Anglican churches.