Del,
(As Freddy has his Constitution hot button, I have my music one)Did we have this fight last year? THe reason any decent choir director would want to include Christian theme music in a "Holiday" concert is because the majority of truly beautiful and rewarding Western music arose from the history of the church. I doubt that a director is even thinking about converting anyone; he just wants to give his students a decent and well-rounded musical experience. As a musician, (and I repeat what I wrote a year ago, I'm sure) the first public school "Holiday" concert I attended was terrible. As they couldn't use religious based music, we were treated to Muzac renditions of Frosty, Winter Wonderland, musical pablum. At least around Dallas, they are very careful about not using religious music.
To forbid the singing of music because it's theme is Christian is to severely limit the musical educational experience. Of course this particular season's music would have a religious emphasis; the celebration revolves around a religious holiday for the majority in our culture. I would have no problems with a concert that emphasized the music of another religion or culture and wouldn't view it as proselytizing. As Alexa pointed out on DAR, she doesn't believe in Santa or Frosty either, but still has Santas around her house.
Yesterday, I performed a Messiah. I'm not a religious person, but it is one of the most spiritual and profound experiences I have as a musician, as was the Brahm's Requiem a few months ago. Do you not think it possible to separate the two? Do we have to limit our children because we're afraid of exposure to any element of religion-even the truly wonderful creative works that sprang from the emotions of gifted people who happened to be inspired by their personal beliefs? We gut so much of the beauty of own culture, restrict our children's education, and I believe it is an action taken out of fear and weakness, and is a form of extremism.
Ok-CHristmas music lecture over..Happy holidays, Del!!! |
