Dualistiese benaderings ten opsigte van musiek en kerkmusiek

Abstract

The paper endeavours to identify dualistic concepts in music and church music and to offer an integrated alternative. Examples of dualistic thinking: The separation of the human being into “body” and “soul”; of music into an either “autonomous” kind versus a “heteronomous” one, or music having a” metaphysical” versus a “physical” existence, or music consisting of a “form” filled with “content”; “sacred music” versus “secular music”. Dualisms originate also from language use: Adjectives and adverbs (qualities of objects or actions) are constantly changed into abstract nouns (“things”), such as ”something beautiful” becomes “something has/contains beauty”. An integrated model of musical understanding based on the philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd (two Appendices) serves as one example of overcoming dualisms. Music is rather a way of perceiving the world through its unique use of qualities it shares with non-musical things. Church musicians are encouraged to avoid dualistic attitudes, such as “organist” versus “minister”; “autonomous music” versus “chorale text”; ”sacred traditional church music” versus “secular praise bands”. From his experience in his Anglican church in Edmonton, Canada, the author illustrates the use of a youth choir as a valuable tool to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary services.