Every culture in the world embraces some type of religious or spiritual worship One common thread running through virtually all religions is the use of music as an expression of spirituality The first groups of people to create sacred music were the aboriginals. Aboriginals can be found on all of the continents except Antarctica Aboriginals passed on their religious beliefs and traditions from person to person orally and through artwork and music.

Aboriginals use the natural landscape as the background for their religious ceremonies. Native Peoples of Australia: Their belief system is rooted in the “Dreaming” Story They express this sensibility through stories, art, and song and Dance. Australian Aboriginal Music: Many traditional songs and dances of Australia aboriginals celebrate the Dreaming These songs and dances usually center around the animals, birds, and fish The Brolga a native bird appears in many of the Dreaming songs

Native Americans: Were the first settlers of North America that arrived during the stone age Each Tribe has its own culture and religious beliefs. Each tribe also has its own unique musical traditions They memorize music and pass it on to the next generation orally Common characteristics between tribes are music and dance which are central to tribal rituals Rituals include religious ceremonies such as healing rites, and dances to ensure a successful crop.

Native American music: They memorize their music and pass it on orally to the next generation If the music is forgotten, mistreated, or performed incorrectly the tradition is corrupted. Native American Songs: Is primarily sung even though instruments are used as accompaniment. Drums and rattles, the main types of instrument come in many different shapes, and materials. Rattles are made out of gourds, turtle shells, carved wood, leather, and other natural materials.

No word exists for music in most Native American Languages. Most music is seen as gifts from the Creator and “Acquired” through dreams or visions. They are governed by strict rules that determine when, under what circumstances Songs have a high value within the society that they are occasionally traded or sold as property Songs may also be given away as gifts of great significance and meaning.

Asian Religious Traditions: Hinduism: is one of the oldest religions still practiced in the world. They believe in multiple gods Most important god is Brahma, creator of all beings Music in Hinduism: Many Kritis were composed in southern India during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The composers were deeply religious men. Kritis are usually sung by a solo artist in a concert setting A lot of Indian music uses the principle of theme and variations. In Kritis the variations are often both composed and improvised.

Buddhism: Buddhist believes that in order to attain enlightenment the individual must look inward, not to any gods. Music in Tibetan Buddhism Chants and instrumental music are a unique blend of musical styles They view music as a means of preparing the mind for spiritual enlightenment. Choral chants and instrumental hymns are important parts of monastic rituals.

Only a few monasteries in Tibet teach monks how to sing in overtones. To learn this skill it takes much discipline and practice Tibet Buddhist believes music is connected directly with the deities who guide them to higher states of consciousness. Middle eastern and European Religious Traditions: Three of the world’s most prominent religious traditions developed in The middle east The three are: 1. Judaism, 2.Christianity, and then 3.Islam

Judaism: Jewish law is the Torah which is the first five books of the Old Testament. On holy high days the Jewish go to the synagogue and listen as the Shofar or ram’s horn is sounded. On Yom Kippur the Jewish followers chant the prayer “Kol Nidrie” The haunting tones beckon the faithful to atone for their sins. Christianity: Is the world’s largest religion The Church and Western Music: For almost 1500 years the Catholic Church in rome was the center of Christianity. Early history of Western music and art is closely tied in with the church

Mass: Is the principal form of the catholic religious service Composers have written music for the sung portions of the mass. Mass is divided into five sections: 1. Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctous, and Agnus dei. One function of the religious music is to interpret the text of the mass and express its ultimate meaning. Hymn: Martin Luther began the protestant movement He composed simple yet powerful hymns into the German Language One such hymn is “A mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Chorale: Is a hymn tune that was used as the basis for various kinds of musical works Felix Mendelssohn: In 1908 to a Jewish family in Hamburg Germany 9 years old when he made his public debut. At the age of 17 he composed his most famous work the overture to A midsummer night’s dream He is credited with popularizing J.S. Bach’s works after almost a century of neglect. J.S. Bach: Used chorales as basis for new works Improvised melodies on the organ and added harmonies and other embellishments When these improvised melodies were written down were called chorale Prelude Sometimes the Chorale served as the basis for other movements of the cantata The use of familiar hymn tunes made his works familiar and gave them popular appeal. Cantatas were the Protestant equivalent of the mass.

The Origins of Gospel Music: After the Civil war in the United States, the “Spiritual” Became the predominate style of African American Sacred music. Developed during the time of enslavement It combines Christian hymn traditions with West Africa vocal Traditions. Between 1871 and 1879 the Fisk University Jubilee singers toured the country and Europe

Spirituals were sung without instrumental accompaniment Singers were not permitted to improvise or interject their own personal emotions. The word Gospel comes from the root word meaning “good tale” This reflects the intent of the music- to tell the “good news” of the New Testament. The Jubilee and white revival (White Gospel songs) also influences the development of gospel music. Gospel Music Today This is an original American Creation that is recognized and admired throughout the world.

In these two nations there is a traditional musical form known as Qawwali is featured in devotional services. Qawwali comes in many styles and may be considered traditional or popular, this is determined on such characteristics as the instruments played, the context, the text and the musical style The melodic instrument most used is the harmonium or Pump

The music is partly composed and partly improvised. Important stylistic quality of the qawwali is the use of both solo singers and Chorus.