The compositions of Brett M. McKern : to the greater glory of God

Transcription

1 University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2005 The compositions of : to the greater glory of God University of Wollongong Recommended Citation McKern. Brett M., The compositions of : to the greater glory of God, PhD thesis, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong, Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: research-pubs@uow.edu.au

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3 1 The Compositions of : To the Greater Glory of God A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree Doctor of Creative Arts from The University of Wollongong by BMus, BTh, BEd, FGCM, FGMS, ARCO, LTCL (Organ & Composition), LMusA, AMusA (Organ & Musicianship), ACertCM, CertRS, MACE, HonGCM Faculty of Creative Arts 2005

4 3 University of Wollongong Thesis Declaration This is to certify that I,, being a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Creative Arts am fully aware of the University of Wollongong s rules and procedures relating to the preparation, submission, retention and use of higher degree theses, and its policy on intellectual property. I acknowledge that the University requires the thesis to be retained in the Library for record purposes and that within copyright privileges of the author, it should be accessible for consultation and copying at the discretion of the Library officer in charge and in accordance with the Copyright Act (1968). I authorise the University of Wollongong to publish an abstract of this thesis. No other part of the thesis or accompanying creative work may be published without the prior consent of the author. Signature Date..

5 4 University of Wollongong Thesis Certification I,, declare that this thesis, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Creative Arts, in the Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Signature Date..

6 5 i. Abstract The church musician seeks to glorify his or her Creator rather than themselves with their work, whether it be as a performer or a composer. There are many writers who have stated that we must only perform music of the highest quality in the service of the church, but very few have tackled the issue of how this is to be achieved. This thesis will examine a number of different ways to look at quality in church music: by examining the musical standard and theological soundness of the work, by looking at the pastoral and liturgical appropriateness of the work, and at the intent of the author and composer. This thesis then seeks to create a methodology for examining quality in church music; mindful of the fact that our judgement is often clouded by our likes and dislikes, and that our opinions are often disguised in terms of appropriateness for worship. While there is some debate of the validity of doing so, composers are pushing the envelope as to style and technique in the composition of new works of church music. This thesis will look at the difference between music for congregation and that for specialist musicians, and how differences in expectations and use lead to differences in qualitative judgement. Finally, support is offered for the creation of new works, and there will be an examination of three new sets of works created to the greater glory of God.

7 6 ii. Acknowledgments I would like to express my thanks to a number of people who have helped make the writing of the work for this degree so much easier than it would otherwise have been. Firstly, thank you to my mother Barbara, and stepfather Bob, and my sister Amanda whose encouragement has been wonderful, as has been their encouragement not to do another degree after this one. Secondly, thank you to my colleagues and friends at St James Church, Sydney who have been sympathetic when I have turned up to work having written all night, and whose constant concern over my spending enough time on study has made the integration of work and study possible. Thirdly, thanks to Bishop Richard Hurford (after whom Veni Creator Spiritus was written) for his constant encouragement and support. Fourthly, thank you to my supervisors, Dr Houston Dunleavy (Principal Supervisor) and Associate Professor Stephen Ingham. Houston has been the best possible supervisor, helping a poor and struggling student not only with his artistic and intellectual insights into the compositional process and its products, but for his making sure I have had the practical support in order to continue the degree, right down to the many cups of coffee and meals he has provided. I thank him for his friendship. Finally, I acknowledge the Inspiration of all creative work; and I remain as ever in awe that I have been honoured with the gift of music. +AMDG February, 2005

8 7 The Compositions of : To the Greater Glory of God Table of Contents Page: i. Abstract 4 ii. Acknowledgments 5 iii. Table of Contents 6 iv. Preamble A brief overview of Anglican church music history 8 v. Lessons from History Introduction The Quality of Church Music (Literature Review) Some new Compositions Three Latin Motets Ave Verum Corpus Ave Maria Salvator Mundi A Mass Setting for the Feast of Pentecost Introit: God is Spirit Kyrie Gloria Credo Sanctus Benedictus Agnus Dei Anthem: Veni Creator Spiritus The Hymns The Plainsong Movements Psalm 104: Gospel Alleluias Prayer Responses The Acclamations The Lord s Prayer The Mass as a whole An Evensong setting for a Feast Day Anthem: I will Sing The Hymns Versicles and Responses and The Lord s Prayer Psalm Introit: Worthy is the Lamb Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis Te Deum The Evensong as a whole Conclusion 108 Cont. over:-

9 8 5. Appendices Appendix A: I Chronicles 16: Appendix B: Timothy Slater on new styles of music in worship Appendix C: Joseph Gelineau on new styles of music in worship Appendix D: English Archbishops Commission on Church 114 Music on quality of repertoire and standard of performance 5.5 Appendix E: John Churchill on what makes good church music Appendix F: A key to the pointing of Anglican Chant Appendix G: Iste Confessor Bibliography Works from this submission published to date 125