By Stella
You might laugh at church music and Christian rock, but the truth is that most forms of music have their roots in religion. Western music, originating in Europe, developed from hymns and chants that eventually acquired melodies and became polyphonic (containing multiple notes). Early composers, such as Hildegard of Bingen (1098), set lyrics to hymns. Later, composers such as Tomas Tallis and William Byrd would branch away from religious seculars, and music would become a part of ceremonies and other royal events. Many kings and queens had their own composers. As music progressed, it moved beyond vocals and began to include many different musical instruments. During the Baroque Era, beginning in the 1600s,symphonies were written. This was the time of composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and J.S. Bach. Many pieces were still religious, such as masses and choral hymns, and most churches had organs for composers and musicians to use. Over the years, music evolved to include more instruments, composers writing massive symphonies and operas.
In Africa, music also originated from religion. In traditional African religion, music was used for ceremonies and for communication. This music used various percussion instruments, vocals, and wind instruments, and was usually accompanied by dancing. In the 1800s, when slavery was still prevalent, slaves who had been brought from Africa learned to play western music. This fusion of western music with traditional African music led to the birth of ragtime, Dixieland, and eventually jazz. Jazz evolved into rock and roll, and eventually pop.
Even today, music is a large part of religion, and vice versa. Many people still put passages from the Bible into song, or write songs with religious meanings. In most churches, hymns and songs are a very large part of ceremony and tradition. Whether you listen to pop or rock, jazz or classical, know that religion was the origin of the song you’re listening to.
