Identifier
etd-04282010-100158
Degree
Master of Music (MM)
Department
Music
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
In numerous communities in the United States, church congregations gather once a year for a special homecoming service that includes food, fellowship, worship, and exceptional music. Homecomings at Cana Baptist Church, an old country church in rural Southern Illinois, hold some of my fondest childhood memories. The special musical performances were the highlight of the day’s festivities, and to this day remain an integral part of my musical identity.
This thesis exposes elements of southern gospel music, in particular bluegrass gospel. I explore stylistic tendencies of up-beat accents, prominent five-one bass progressions, and pitch bending. I also include several melodic quotations from traditional music, such as When we all get to Heaven, Down to the river to pray, Daniel Prayed, and Working on a Building. In preparation for writing this piece, I studied music by composers Charles Ives, Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, Witold Lutosławski, Arvo Pärt, John Tavener, and Julia Wolfe.
Date
2010
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Jacob, Lindsey M., "Homecoming at an old country church" (2010). LSU Master's Theses. 1474.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/1474
Committee Chair
Constantinides, Dinos
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_theses.1474