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The following material crystalizes our thinking concerning present-day music and is presented as further amplification of our philosophy of music.

 

Note: When the term “music” is used, it refers to both the style and the words.  When the term “musical style(s)” is used, it refers to different kinds of music, such as Gospel, Bluegrass, Pop, Classical, Country, Rock, etc.

 

 

MUSIC IN TRANSITION

 

I.    CONTEMPORARY VS. TRADITIONAL

 

       Thesis - A balanced use of old and new musical styles and words

       will best meet the needs of any day.  Reasons:

 

       A.  Change is inevitable (Contemporary)

 

             1.  Differences will always exist between cultures at any one

                 time and between different times in one culture.

            

             2.  New styles emphasize the relevance of eternal truth to our

                  changing times.

 

       B.  Past excellence never dies (Traditional)

 

             1.  Relevant and excellent traditional music should not be re-

                 placed by the contemporary (Handel’s “Messiah”, “A

                 Mighty Fortress”, “How Great Thou Art”, etc.)

 

             2.  The only things which cease to speak to us are those with

                  which we have lost familiarity through neglect, or those

                 which we discard because they lack enduring qualities.

 

       C.  Multi-cultural mixes characterize most assemblies

 

      Some members are moving toward the contemporary; others    

 

 

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