ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Liturgical singing as ritual symbol

 

 

Coenie Calitz

Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 

---

ABSTRACT

Liturgical singing is more than text and melody; it is also symbol and ritual. It is part of the ensemble of rituals within the worship service. As a ritual symbol, it is closely connected to the culture or subculture where it is conducted. Meaning is not only immanent in the text (lyrics), but assigned on a continuous base and differs from culture to culture. As a ritual symbol, liturgical singing does not only point to another reality, but presents the other reality within the cultural context of the worship service; within ritual the music and melody are more important than text and lyrics. Liturgical singing as a ritual symbol is never static, but in a continuous process of change.

---

 

 

Full text available only in PDF format.

 

 

References

Barnard, A.C., 1994, In die kragveld van die Woord en die Gees [In the force field of the Word and the Spirit], Etoile, Voortrekkerhoogte.         [ Links ]

Barnard, M., 2002, 'Tendensen in de dynamiek van cultus en cultuur: perspectieven in de liturgiewetenschap' [Trends in the dynamics of cults and culture: Perspectives in liturgical studies], in M. Barnard & N. Schuman (reds), Nieuwe wegen in de liturgie pp. 11-27, Meinema, Zoetermeer.         [ Links ]

Barnard, M., 2000, Liturgiek als wetenschap van christelijke riten en symbolen [Liturgy as the science of Christian rites and symbols], Vossiuspers, Amsterdam.         [ Links ]

Barnard, M. & Schuman, N. (reds), 2002, Nieuwe wegen in de liturgie. Die weg van de liturgie - een vervolg [New ways in the liturgy. The way of the liturgy - a sequel], Meinema, Zoetermeer.         [ Links ]

Blacking, J., 1982, 'The Structure of Musical Discourse: The problem of the Song Text', Yearbook for Traditional Music 14, 15-23. doi:10.2307/768068        [ Links ]

Calitz, C.J., 2011, 'The free song (hymn) as a means of expression of the spirituality of the local congregation with specific focus on the situation of the Dutch Reformed Church in South-Africa', PhD-thesis, Dept. of Theology, University of Pretoria.         [ Links ]

Driver, T.F., 1991, The Magic of Ritual: Our Need for Liberating Rites that transform our Lives and Our Communities, Harper Collins Publishers, San Francisco, CA.         [ Links ]

Gelineau, J., 1978, The liturgy today and tomorrow, transl. D. Livingstone, Darton, Longman & Todd, London, UK.         [ Links ]

Grimes, R.L., 1990, Ritual Criticism. Case Studies in its Practice. Essays on its Theory, University of South Carolina Press, Columbia.         [ Links ]

Kubicki, J.M., 1999, Liturgical music as ritual symbol. A case study of Jacques Berthier's Taizé music, Peeters, Leuven.         [ Links ]

Lukken, G., 1999, Rituelen in overvloed. Een kritische bezinning op de plaats en de gestalte van het christelijk ritueel in onze cultuur [Rituals abound. A critical reflection on the position and form of the Christian ritual in our culture], Gooi & Sticht, Baarn.         [ Links ]

Lukken, G., 1997, 'Liturgiewetenschappeljk onderzoek in culturele context. Methodische verhelderingen en vragen' [Liturgical scientific research in cultural context. Methodological clarifications and questions], Jaarboek voor liturgie onderzoek 13, 135-148.         [ Links ]

Minatrea, M., 2004, 'Missional Practice Number Four. Rewrite Worship every week', in M. Minatrea (ed.),Shaped by God's heart. The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches, pp. 65-76, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.         [ Links ]

Müller, J., 1990, 'Vernuwing in die erediens'[Renewal in the worship service], in A.J. Smuts, C.J.A. Vos & M. Nel (reds), pp. 106-120.         [ Links ]

Müller, J., 1987, 'Vastheid, variasie en kreatiwiteit in die liturgie' [Fastness, variation and creativity in the liturgie], in A.J.Smuts, (red.), Perspektiewe op die erediens [Perspectives on the worship service], pp. 1-42,Praktiese Teologie in Suid Afrika 3,         [ Links ]

Nattiez, J., 1990, Music and Discourse: Toward a Semiology of Music, transl. C. Abbate, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.         [ Links ]

Polanyi, M. & Prosch, H., 1975, Meaning, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.         [ Links ]

Smuts, A.J., Vos, C.J.A. & Nel, M. (reds), 1990, In gesprek oor die Erediens [In conversation about the worship service], NG Kerkboekhandel Bpk., Pretoria.         [ Links ]

Van Rooy, J.H., 2008, 'Die Psalmboek 2003 as kommmunikasiemiddel in die liturgie van die erediens in die Gereformeerde kerke in Suid-Afrika: 'n Himnologiese studie' [The Psalmbook 2003 as communicator in the liturgy of the worship service in the Reformed churches in South Africa: A hymnological study], PhD-thesis, North-West University, Potchefstroom.         [ Links ]

Verhoeven, C., 1999, Het alziend oog [The all-seeing eye], Uitgeverij, Damon.         [ Links ]

Vernooij, A., 2002, 'Muziek en liturgie' [Music and liturgy], in M. Barnard & N. Schuman (reds), Nieuwe wegen in de liturgie. Die weg van de liturgie - een vervolg [New ways in the liturgy. The way of the liturgy - a sequel] pp. 95-113, Meinema, Zoetermeer.         [ Links ]

Vos, C.J.A. & Pieterse, H.J.C., 1997, Hoe lieflik is U woning (Studies in Praktiese Teologie) [How lovely is Thy dwelling (Studies in practical theology)], RGN uitgewery, Pretoria.         [ Links ]

Wepener, C.J., 2009, From Fast to Feast. A ritual-liturgical exploration of reconciliation in South African cultural contexts, Leuven-Paris-Dudley, Peeters, MA.         [ Links ]

Wepener, C.J., 2008, 'Towards a missional liturgy', NGTT 49 (1&2), 206-219.         [ Links ]

Wilson-Dickson, A., 1992, A Brief History of Christian Music, Lion Publishing, Oxford, UK.         [ Links ]

 

 

Correspondence:
Coenie Calitz
PO Box 5539
Kockspark 2523
South Africa
Email: cjcalitz@lantic.net

Received: 01 Sept. 2010
Accepted: 05 May 2011
Published: 17 Aug. 2011