Reciting the sacred
Contents
Discussion about this topic
In response to Bkey's Anglican Chant reading: What it seems to me the author fails to recognise is that it is only via simplification, repitition, and a sort of metrical system that a congregation is able to participate in the chant, or singing of any sort. This takes recitation, or singing, out of the hands of the few and places it within the realm of possibility for everyone who knows the tune. Of course this has occurred in most Christian denominations in the form of popular pslams, hymns and other songs; the difference being that the words and melodies are intended for each other. While allowing for congregational participation without (as frequently) murdering text stress and rhythm, the disadvantage is that a congregation can only know a certain number of songs or hymns without having to reuse the same ones often. Anglican chant supplies a recognizeable and fewer number of tunes, to which the congregation can sing an inexhaustible number of texts. This allows for maximum participation of the congregation without limiting the number of text-tune combinations they can remember. So, yes, there is some compromise required, the advantage being a maximization of the possibility for ongoing and varied congregational participation. --Jordanv 13:14, 28 January 2006 (MST)
Assigned viewings, listenings
Please listen to Surat al-Qadr (Qur'an 97). Click on the Arabic to start the recitation (prefixed by "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim", "in the Name of the Merciful and Compassionate God"). The Sura (chapter) of al-Qadr (Night of Decree) comprises 5 verses (ayas). You will hear the verse recited, while seeing synchronized Arabic script, transliteration, and translation. On Tuesday we will attempt to perform Surat al-Qadr together, so listen to the recitation as often as you can.
Surat al-Qadr, transliteration, translation, interpretation. Surat al-Qadr is the key Qur'anic chapter mentioning the descent of the Qur'an itself; thus it is self-referential.
the sacred/Islamic/Surty exercises (audio)/ Surty audio material, to accompany your handout on tajwid (rules of Qur'anic recitation). You need to review the letters carefully in order to follow the examples. Not easy, but a worthwhile exercise!
Listen to recitations from the Torah
Listen to Vedic chanting and mantras[1]
Assigned readings
Judaism
Please read Jewish synagogue music from Grove Music Online. Focus primarily on the section entitled "Biblical cantillation; read other sections of the broader article, on liturgical and paraliturgical music as you wish. 
Gen. 1:9 And God said, "Let the waters be collected".
Letters in black, vowel points in red, trope in green
Islam
Please read the sacred/Islamic/The Qur'an in Indonesian Daily Life-The Public Project of Musical Oratory.pdf The Qur'an in Indonesian Daily Life. the sacred/Islamic/Sells CD tracks (selected)/MP3/Track 10.mp3 Listen to Hajja Maria recite murattal and the sacred/Islamic/Sells CD tracks (selected)/MP3/Track 13.mp3 mujawwad. Optional readings: try at least to browse the sacred/Islamic/The Cantillation of the Qur'an (Faruqi).pdf The Cantillation of the Qur'an (by Lois Ibsen al-Faruqi), for a more systematic treatment of Qur'anic recitation. If you have time, examine also the sacred/Islamic/Surat al-Qadr.pdf Sound, Spirit, and Gender in Surat al-Qadr (by Michael Sells), for a deeper understanding of the musicality inherent in the Qur'anic text itself.
Hinduism and Vedas
Please read the sacred/Vedic/mantras and bird songs (Staal).pdf Mantras and Bird Song, by Frits Staal, director of the film, Altar of Fire that we watched in class. Optionally, read (or at least browse) the sacred/Vedic/rg vedic recitation (Gray).pdf An Analysis of Rg Vedic Recitation, for a more systematic treatment.
Discussion about assigned readings
Your selected readings
Spencer, Jon Michael. Protest
