Praise God This Hour of Sorrow : Major Key Dominant Hymn Culture of America
Nevala, Jenica (2016)
Nevala, Jenica
Oulun ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016060111375
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016060111375
Tiivistelmä
This project began when I received a request from the Laestadian Lutheran Church to record a CD. This CD was to include approximately thirty funeral and everlasting life hymns. Although these were funeral hymns, the majority was in a major key and I wanted to research the reason-ing for this. The purpose of this work is to find the reasoning for a major dominant hymn culture in my home congregation. To find the reasoning I have researched both the history of American hymn culture and the Laestadian Lutheran Church. I have also looked at the use of music in the funeral service and the purpose of the music. American funeral culture has also evolved over time and has had a large impact on the music used in funeral services.
I found there were many different reasons for a major dominant hymn culture. In the beginning, America was heavily influenced by England but as they developed their own history and culture this quickly changed. America is known at the melting pot of the world and this is also seen in religious beliefs. There were many different denominations and each had their own idea of how music should be used in the church. Music was also largely impacted by the large amount of African slaves, whom had a very different musical background. These different beliefs, cultures and musical styles began to blend together and America began to find their own voice in music. Although the Laestadian Lutheran Church origins are from Finland, a very minor key dominant hymn culture, the American culture is seen to slowly begin to affect they hymns that were sung regularly.
I found there were many different reasons for a major dominant hymn culture. In the beginning, America was heavily influenced by England but as they developed their own history and culture this quickly changed. America is known at the melting pot of the world and this is also seen in religious beliefs. There were many different denominations and each had their own idea of how music should be used in the church. Music was also largely impacted by the large amount of African slaves, whom had a very different musical background. These different beliefs, cultures and musical styles began to blend together and America began to find their own voice in music. Although the Laestadian Lutheran Church origins are from Finland, a very minor key dominant hymn culture, the American culture is seen to slowly begin to affect they hymns that were sung regularly.