26th Annual Student Research Conference
Shape Note Singing: Mennonite Hymnody In Northeast Missouri
Olivia M. Wikle
Prof. Shirley McKamie, Faculty Mentor
In the early 16th century, a group of people in Zurich, Switzerland, broke from the Catholic Church and founded the religion of Anabaptism, from which the Mennonite faith evolved. To escape persecution during the 17th and 18th centuries, the Mennonites of Europe began to make the journey to the New World, where religious freedom awaited. Similar to other traditions, Mennonite religion is linked to music. Music in Mennonite tradition has had a unique and eclectic history. The dynamic Mennonite musical tradition has evolved, from a period in which no music was allowed during services to a time in which music is intrinsically tied to the worship itself. Receiving an invitation to visit with a Mennonite congregation in Northeast Missouri has provided an opportunity to observe firsthand the power of music in the church community, as well as to discern the numerous influences that have shaped the Mennonite hymn tradition. This research examines where Mennonite shape note hymnody stands today, as well as the tradition's implications for future development.
Keywords: Mennonite, Shape Note, Hymnody
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary
Music
Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 208-1
Location: VH 1324
Time: 9:30