Music Room Book 6 . (upper primary) By Rob Fairbairn, Mark Leehy & Kevin O’Mara More about MUSIC ROOM here. MUSIC ROOM BOOK 6 (upper primary) Module 7: Gospel Voices In this module: We will be exploring the common elements of gospel music. Students will experience call and response. Students will experience the ‘off-beat’ (‘back-beat’). Students will experience unaccompanied singing (a cappella) Students will use body percussion accompaniment. Students will build a gospel arrangement. Students will write gospel-style lyrics. Students will sing partner songs. Students will create a coda. Expanded background & useful links Gospel music expresses personal or communal beliefs, ideas or revelations regarding Christian life and values. It may be composed and performed for religious or ceremonial purposes or simply for pleasure. Form & structure Some common elements of gospel music are: Call & response Choir Vocal harmony Positive, celebratory lyrics (often praise, worship or thanks to God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit) Use of piano or Hammond organ (bass, drums and electric guitar are common these days) Simple percussion (such as tambourine) Gospel songs are often like hymns, except that they are less stately or solemn – and more syncopated. The origins of gospel Gospel songs can be traced to the ‘Negro Spirituals’ of the African slaves brought to the Southern States of the USA from the 1700’s to the mid-1800’s. These songs were a combination of African call & response, European melodies and bible stories (often about freedom from slavery). They used European and African harmonies. The rise of the Revival and Pentacostal movements in the South of America in the late 19th century saw the adaptation of the Spiritual for the purposes of the ‘testifying’ of faith at prayer meetings. The elements of choirs, vocal harmonies and call & response remained, but the ‘cry for freedom’ became replaced with a ‘cry of praise’. The spread of gospel music Gospel easily found its way into most forms of American roots music, including Bluegrass, Country, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, a Capella and Rock ‘n’ Roll and Soul. 20th century singers and musicians such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Aretha Franklin were raised in a Pentecostal environment and gospel was their first music. Famous gospel performers over the years have included The Carter Family, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Dixie Hummingbirds. A cappella music A capella music is vocal music (no instruments). It is an Italian expression meaning ‘from the chapel/choir’. It was originally church music and was sung either in unison (as in Gregorian chant) or in harmony. Modern usage of the term can refer to musical forms as diverse as gospel, barbershop, doo-wop and even modern pop/rock (Bobby McFerrin (Don’t Worry – Be Happy). Some famous exponents of unaccompanied singing include The King’s Singers, The Flying Pickets, The Nylons, Manhatten Transfer, The Persuasions, Boyz II Men. Contemporary a cappella includes vocal bands, such as Rockappella, who add vocal percussion (beatboxing) to create a pop/rock sound. This technique actually has a long tradition – going back to the Mills Brothers in the 1930s. A cappella is quite possibly one of the important ingredients of hip hop culture. Links BBC Religion Gospel Music Association History of Gospel Music Boston Community Choir KUSP (Central Coast Public Radio) See and hear gospel music here Gospel Music Lyrics YouTube Mahalia Jackson - Trouble of the World Aretha Franklin Sings Gospel Johnny Cash & The Carter Family - Where You There The Blind Boys of Alabama - Down by the Riverside Abbot Kinney Lighthouse Choir - Shine On Me Elvis Presley - How Great Thou Art The Seekers - Gospel Medley (Live) Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy King's Singers - Down To The River To Pray Rockapella - Up on the Roof The Idea of North - Isn't She Lovely Back to support material for Music Room Book 6 Music Room from Bushfire Press Order here.