Reading Response - Book Report/Review Example

Article Response on Choral Music Choral music is a common concept used widely in both religious and secular performances. Church choirs and opera singers are perfect example of this musical style. Conventionally, I was under the impression that ‘choir’ and ‘choruses’ denoted different concepts. However, it is only in English language that these two terminologies appear to hold distinct meanings. Admittedly, one new idea in the article is on the synonymous nature of the words choir and chorus.

Technically, both words are used to denote a sizable group of singers performing together (Percy and Smith, 01). The perpetual distinction in choir and chorus is a subjective creation of English language; otherwise these two words are synonymous. Aside from learning new concepts, the article also reinforced my previous knowledge about choral music. Similar to any other musical styles which undergoes dynamic changes with time, choral music also had a share of its evolution. Primordially, chorus or choir performances were monolithic in nature (Percy and Smith, 01).

At the dawn of the 20th Century, and specifically during the 1960s, there was substantial renovation of functional, stylistic and organizational structures of choral music. This era was responsible for today’s categorization of choral voices into basses and tenors among others.Always, I subscribe to the notion that all musical styles are influenced by cultural movements. However, I am intrigued by the extent to which choral music caved in under the pressure of multiculturalism. Apparently, certain cultures necessitated sacrificing of traditional components of choral music like choral unity and tone structures.

Example of cultures that observably bent the course of choral music includes the Gay and Lesbian Associations in Europe and America (Percy and Smith, 02). In other musical styles like Opera, traditional components of the styles were preserved in cultural transitions. However, it is intriguing why multiculturalism dealt a huge blow on the historical authenticity and accuracy of choral performances. Work CitedPercy, Young and Smith, James. Twentieth Century History of Choirs. Oxford Companion to Music.

Web http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com:80/substriber/article/grove/music/05684