MUSIC AND SOCIAL OR RITUAL MEMORY
July 23, 2007 by Josh
Music is an integral part of many of life’s rituals.
Who doesn’t have the urge to dance and sing at a wedding ceremony or certainly the reception or a special birthday party?
Is there a country without a national anthem? Is it ever possible to watch or attend a major league baseball game without hearing “The Star Spangled Banner”? July 4th and fireworks without Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”? Impossible!
For some, singing “Amazing Grace” is a must at every family reunion.
For those in the Civil Rights movements and many liberation struggles, the rallying musical statement was and is “We Shall Overcome.”
Is the celebration of Christmas complete without hearing a performance somewhere of Handel’s “Messiah,” or Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” or having our listening space saturated with Christmas carols?
What are some of your favorite pieces of music that belong to the social and ritual parts of your life?
