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gospel music
gospel music American religious musical form that owes much of its origin to the Christian conversion of West Africans enslaved in the American South. Gospel music partly evolved from the songs slaves sang on plantations, notably work songs, and from the Protestant hymns they sang in church. However, gospel music did not derive as much from Protestant hymns as did spirituals . Gospel music, more emotional and jubilant, also stemmed from the call-and-response singing between preacher and congregation, which became common in black churches. Gospel lyrics often call for obedience to God and avoidance of sin in order to obtain the reward of heaven's kingdom; they also celebrate God's love. Gospel style makes use of choral singing in unison or harmony, often, but not always, led by a lead singer or singers. The songs are performed with fervent enthusiasm, vigor, and spiritual inspiration, with much ornamentation in the solo vocal lines.
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"gospel music." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gospel music." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-gospelmu.html "gospel music." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-gospelmu.html |
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Gospel Music
Gospel Music. Religious music of a revivalist nature, which originated in the USA in the second half of the 19th cent. Its texts emphasize the themes of personal salvation and the anticipation of heavenly joys; its music is largely derived stylistically from popular secular music. Developing from spirituals and Sunday School hymnody, it manifested itself in the hymn-singing and other music associated with the crusades of D. L. Moody and I. D. Sankey. Its most characteristic feature is the use of a refrain at the end of each verse. In the Black Churches from the early 20th cent. it took a more radical form, incorporating elements of ragtime, jazz, blues, and similar styles, and much ‘call and response’ interaction between those leading the singing and the congregation. Its performance may involve anything from a solo singer with guitar or instrumental group to full scale ‘gospel choirs’, with or without congregational participation. This Black style of Gospel Music has spread throughout the Pentecostal and other charismatically inspired Churches world-wide.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Gospel Music." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Gospel Music." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-GospelMusic.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Gospel Music." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-GospelMusic.html |
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