An identification of a sacred repertoire for wind band and rationale for its performance in worship contexts by wind bands in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Abstract

Recommendations for further study included an exploration of the philosophical bases for the incorporation of non-sacred wind band literature into the worship context, a study examining the role of multi-media in correlation with wind band performance, especially in regard to worship venues, and an examination of the characteristics making the music of Curnow, Holsinger, Reed, Smith and Ticheli desirable options for those seeking appropriate literature for use in worship contexts.

The purpose of the study was to identify a sacred repertoire for wind band and the rationale for the use of that repertoire in worship contexts by band programs in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). A survey was developed and mailed to ninety-four institutions in the CCCU. Sixty surveys were returned. The survey was divided into five sections: (1) institutional information, (2) director information, (3) band program information, (4) bands in worship contexts---rationale, and (5) sacred repertoire survey.

A total of 121 pieces were identified as having been performed in a worship context, with the primary rationale for their performance being the aesthetic of the music, followed by the selections' tie to a hymn text. Other important rationale included the piece's ability to convey the drama of the subject, its connections with the mood of worship, and the elicitation of a significant congregational response.

A list of seventy-five pieces was compiled for the repertoire portion of the survey, and an additional seventy-two were added by respondents. A repertoire of fifty selections emerged that had been performed by at least one-fifth of the respondents, twenty-four had been performed by at least one-third, and nine had been performed by at least half. Twenty-seven selections were cited by half of the respondents as having been performed or may be performed. The composers whose works were most frequently cited were James Curnow, David Holsinger, Claude Smith, Alfred Reed and Frank Ticheli.