American Choral Music. Historical and Stylistic Aspects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47451/art2022-05-06Keywords:
American choral music, choral musical styles, choral musical genres, musical influences, musical traditionAbstract
Speaking about the American choral music, conductor Kathy Romey observed that “our choral inheritance reflects a kaleidoscope of cultural and religious roots which gave birth to an astonishing melting pot” of musical and individual voices. The “American” choral music can be observed from two geographic perspectives—the United States and North America—which include works of composers from Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. In both contexts, “specific American” choral music is extremely varied, flexible, and in a continuous change. It could take the form of a hymn of Shakers, of a song of Native Americans, a Moravian hymn, a spiritual Negro, of a song from the divine service of Judaic Sabbath, of a lullaby, a civil war marching, a Mexican salsa dance, a gospel hymn, an Asian artistic song, Broadway music, blues, a cowboy ballad or a European folk song. All these and much more are part of our collective culture—a diverse and rich tradition of many peoples, which expresses itself through a multitude of musical styles and genres.”
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