Masters Theses
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Browsing Masters Theses by Subject "D - Liturgy"
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- PublicationExamining Contemporary Congregationsl Song - beyond sung theology(2013-05-02) Magee, Fay R.What Christians sing as they worship is a focus of considerable attention in the contemporary church and yet it has been a contentious issue at almost every period of Christian history. Since the mid-twentieth century, significant social, cultural, and technological changes, all against a backdrop of increasing global consciousness, have affected the way music functions and the ways opinions about repertoire and performance practices are formed. The primary focus of this project is the analysis of eight songs composed between 1983 and 2001. The essential question is how musical analysis contributes to a greater understanding of the nature of contemporary congregational song and various performance practices. This project will focus on analysis of harmonic structures as the major element. This will provide a framework from which comparisons of other musical elements can lead to a greater awareness of the issues of music and worship, and of music and theology. Developing a greater understanding of how music works enables more receptive and discerning listening and participation. The more difficult aspect of congregational song, that of it being not just 'sung theology’, can be explored to some degree from a clearer understanding of the musical and textual components and their interrelationship. Various writers are contributing significant insights to how music itself provides meaning and thus how the singing of congregational songs contains and conveys meaning. As Don Saliers suggests, ‘(t)he question of meaning in music hinges on the interaction between order, sound, and the range of other senses – visual kinetic, gestural – it conjoins…. Music is not therefore simply an ornament of something already understood, such as a text.’1 Taking account of a range of perspectives, the analysis and comparison of the songs can contribute to a more constructive critique of contemporary trends and what happens when congregations sing.
- PublicationThe Liturgical Music of Inner-City Melbourne Anglican Worshipping Communities(2017-07) Nicholls, PhilipThis thesis considers six themes in relation to a small geographical area of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne: what is ‘traditional church music’ and is it no longer relevant? Does ‘a diversity of musical styles’ exist, and where has this diversity come from? Is diversity a bad thing? And, does it matter if there is ‘little common ground’? A review of relevant scholarship and a brief survey of church music history provide the bases for this study, which develops a questionnaire and catchment for a survey. The survey results are analysed critically to test the above themes. This thesis proposes a definition of ‘traditional church music’; shows it is relevant to part of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne; highlights ‘a diversity of musical styles’ between worshipping communities and their sources; argues that diversity is positive; and highlights problems with, and proposes remedies for, the lack of musical common ground.
- PublicationThe Singing Heart: An Analysis of the Morning and Evening Songs of Paul Gerhardt as Exercises in Evangelical Piety.(2014-02-24) Prenzler, MatthiasPaul Gerhardt (1607-1676) was a German Lutheran pastor, and writer of spiritual songs. Gerhardt was strongly influenced by a devotional movement, often referred to as the Neue Frömmigkeit, that was evident within German Lutheranism during the first half of the seventeenth century. The influences of this piety movement are clearly evident in Gerhardt’s songs, especially his three morning and two evening songs that are known today. These five songs can be considered sung devotional meditations with meditational devices woven into their texts that naturally lead those who are singing to meditate upon the scriptures. Many of these devices are able to be examined and explored through textual analysis. This study seeks firstly to examine the background to Gerhardt’s morning and evening songs; and secondly, to engage in the analysis of selected song texts in order to investigate how they may indeed be considered exercises in evangelical piety.
- PublicationThe Use of Contemporary Music in the Christian Religious Education of Young Adults(2010) Jurd, PatrickContemporary Christian religious educators need to establish respectful relationships with young adults (YAs) in order to be able to engage in dialogue. Such an approach is found in 'communio' theology. Research in Australian Cathoic schools indicates a disparity in the views of students and teachers regarding the effectiveness of the religious education programme. Developmental research indicates that YAs are disposed towards thinking and acting justly. The main developmental task of YAs is the gaining of identity that is reinforced through rituals. Contemporary music is ubiquitous in the lives of YAs and could be said to be their 'lingua franca'. Therefore contemporary music and video is an effective means for religious educators to dialoge with YAs. Contemporary music, which frequently has a justice focus, can be used in the relogious education programme to help YAs grasp the justice message of the Gospels. Groome's shared praxis approach is adapted and examples detailed.