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An evening of sacred music
Jun. 5th, 2003 12:33 amSaturday night about nine members of the choir attended an evening of sacred world music at First United Chruch, Waterloo. It was the first time in ages I have attended any kind of religious service, but the ecumenical nature of it appealed to me. I didn't expect to feel moved as much as I did.
Several years ago the Dalai Lama called for such services to be organized around the world in support of peace and non-violence. Undoubtedly it will encourage greater respect and appreciation between the followers of different religions. I can hardly remember attending any musical presentation that affected me so profoundly, and me an atheist! Of course I should have a place there, like anyone else. This program was about tolerance, in the best sense of the world. It included music from many religious traditions.
After some opening words, the evening opened with a Muslim call to prayer from the upper balcony. It was a solo recitation, unaccompanied. The singer had an incredibly beautiful voice, and for the first time in the evening I was holding back tears.
The second presentation was just as moving, a First Nations' Drumming Song. I have attended a couple of powwows. I can't claim they're part of my heritage, but I hold those experiences in special awe. I was still choked up.
My emotions finally settled down when the third group sang. It was a choral quarter singing a Baha'i Prayer and Song. It was beautiful but the words, ironically, reminded me too much of my evangelical Christian experiences. Cynical feelings arose.
Next I was able to relax during the Hindu Bhajan. A man and woman sat on the floor singing and playing harmonium and tabla. I'm especially fond singing styles and rhythms from the Indian supercontinent, so I enjoyed this part.
Next came one of the highlights of the evening: a memorial song in the Han Taiwanese Temple Genre. It was composed and performed by Jeremy Moyer on the Taiwanese coconut shell fiddle, which produces a distinctive sound characteristic of Eastern music. He was accompanied by two other musicians on percussion instruments. I would like to have purchased Moyer's CD, but my budget was limited.
After that a group from University of Waterloo performed some Contemporary Spirituality Music. It was a song calling various mothers, goddesses, queens of heaven and earth, saints and seers from many different traditions for guidance in the quest for peace. The group consisted of a drumming circle, piano and two female vocalists. At the end of the song a list of names was read, mostly families and children, a few of more than 2,000 civilians who died in the war in Iraq.
After a brief intermission the program continued with a Pipe Organ Solo representing Christian Western Tradition. It was a piece by Olivier Messiaen. Unfortunately this was the part I liked least. It was discordant and bombastic, not provoking any peaceful or charitable feelings in me.
One of the most impressive performances followed, an example of Classical Hindu Dance in the Kathak tradition, which is a fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultures. A lone dancer's feet were bare but she wore anklets covered with bells. Their sound recalled to me the bell dresses worn by Native women at powwows. But Native dances are more primal and rhythmic. The Hindu dance is highly choreographed and emphasizes grace. She was accompanied by a band of instruments but I couldn't see the performers from where I sat.
Then woman sang several songs from a Jewish Shabbat Service to piano accompaniment. It was the evening's humblest offering, simply beautiful.
Next came on of my favourite performances, Sacred Music of the Sikh Tradition, sung by Onkar Singh with two accompanists. They sat on the floor at the front, so I couldn't see their instruments, but they produced rich, dark chords over which Singh's sensual voice chanted gently.
This was followed with Traditional African Gospel Music, specifically several songs in Arabic Juba performed by the Sudanese Gospel Choir of Kitchener-Waterloo. Once again I could hardly contain my emotion. It's ironic that the continent with the worst poverty produces music with the happiest sounds.
The final performance was a Chinese Buddhist Chant performed by a temple choir led by the Abbess, Venerable Yung Ku, of the Fo Guang Shan monastic order in Mississauga. They were accompanied by gong, wooden fish drum and bell. This brought a colourful and exciting close to the evening of music.
Various CDs were available afterwards. I could only afford one. I chose Onkar Singh's Shabbad Kirtan. It includes some thoughtful discourse in English, and will provide calming background music for meditation.
If anyone has an opportunity to attend one of these musical presentations anywhere, I heartily recommend it. If you like World Music, this is a rich feast.
Several years ago the Dalai Lama called for such services to be organized around the world in support of peace and non-violence. Undoubtedly it will encourage greater respect and appreciation between the followers of different religions. I can hardly remember attending any musical presentation that affected me so profoundly, and me an atheist! Of course I should have a place there, like anyone else. This program was about tolerance, in the best sense of the world. It included music from many religious traditions.
After some opening words, the evening opened with a Muslim call to prayer from the upper balcony. It was a solo recitation, unaccompanied. The singer had an incredibly beautiful voice, and for the first time in the evening I was holding back tears.
The second presentation was just as moving, a First Nations' Drumming Song. I have attended a couple of powwows. I can't claim they're part of my heritage, but I hold those experiences in special awe. I was still choked up.
My emotions finally settled down when the third group sang. It was a choral quarter singing a Baha'i Prayer and Song. It was beautiful but the words, ironically, reminded me too much of my evangelical Christian experiences. Cynical feelings arose.
Next I was able to relax during the Hindu Bhajan. A man and woman sat on the floor singing and playing harmonium and tabla. I'm especially fond singing styles and rhythms from the Indian supercontinent, so I enjoyed this part.
Next came one of the highlights of the evening: a memorial song in the Han Taiwanese Temple Genre. It was composed and performed by Jeremy Moyer on the Taiwanese coconut shell fiddle, which produces a distinctive sound characteristic of Eastern music. He was accompanied by two other musicians on percussion instruments. I would like to have purchased Moyer's CD, but my budget was limited.
After that a group from University of Waterloo performed some Contemporary Spirituality Music. It was a song calling various mothers, goddesses, queens of heaven and earth, saints and seers from many different traditions for guidance in the quest for peace. The group consisted of a drumming circle, piano and two female vocalists. At the end of the song a list of names was read, mostly families and children, a few of more than 2,000 civilians who died in the war in Iraq.
After a brief intermission the program continued with a Pipe Organ Solo representing Christian Western Tradition. It was a piece by Olivier Messiaen. Unfortunately this was the part I liked least. It was discordant and bombastic, not provoking any peaceful or charitable feelings in me.
One of the most impressive performances followed, an example of Classical Hindu Dance in the Kathak tradition, which is a fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultures. A lone dancer's feet were bare but she wore anklets covered with bells. Their sound recalled to me the bell dresses worn by Native women at powwows. But Native dances are more primal and rhythmic. The Hindu dance is highly choreographed and emphasizes grace. She was accompanied by a band of instruments but I couldn't see the performers from where I sat.
Then woman sang several songs from a Jewish Shabbat Service to piano accompaniment. It was the evening's humblest offering, simply beautiful.
Next came on of my favourite performances, Sacred Music of the Sikh Tradition, sung by Onkar Singh with two accompanists. They sat on the floor at the front, so I couldn't see their instruments, but they produced rich, dark chords over which Singh's sensual voice chanted gently.
This was followed with Traditional African Gospel Music, specifically several songs in Arabic Juba performed by the Sudanese Gospel Choir of Kitchener-Waterloo. Once again I could hardly contain my emotion. It's ironic that the continent with the worst poverty produces music with the happiest sounds.
The final performance was a Chinese Buddhist Chant performed by a temple choir led by the Abbess, Venerable Yung Ku, of the Fo Guang Shan monastic order in Mississauga. They were accompanied by gong, wooden fish drum and bell. This brought a colourful and exciting close to the evening of music.
Various CDs were available afterwards. I could only afford one. I chose Onkar Singh's Shabbad Kirtan. It includes some thoughtful discourse in English, and will provide calming background music for meditation.
If anyone has an opportunity to attend one of these musical presentations anywhere, I heartily recommend it. If you like World Music, this is a rich feast.
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