The promotion of congregational singing through the enhancement and creation of sacred and choral repertoire

Abstract

This dissertation presupposes the idea that worship is an intrinsic personal, anthropological, societal, relational, and existential need. It also acknowledges that music is humanity’s native language at expressing the innermost workings of the heart. One of the primary vehicles which has accompanied worship since time immemorial is singing. It is therefore everyone’s birth right to lift their eyes above and reach out to the transcendent in musical utterance. This humble contribution attempts to explore some ways and means by which song is placed where it belongs, at the heart of the people. By means of a portfolio of own compositions, a navigation through the various styles and praxes of Western Christian worship music attempts to highlight those elemental qualities which facilitate congregational singing. It is not to say, however, that any music that does not engage congregations directly in singing is inconducive, but rather lifts up the minds and so disposes hearts to express in song those affirmations which are theirs to declaim. Just as with the paradigmatic Eastern iconography that fosters a worshipful stance of listening and watching, so is song borne out of an attentive disposition.