Aesthetics and the christian musician Part 12

Aesthetics and the Christian Musician Part 12

            The beauty of music can cause a crowd to become calm and quiet before a worship service begins or set a proper mood at the time of prayer.  Although this function of music could be considered utilitarian it need not be only practical but also aesthetic as the musically aware perceive the beauty and import of the music. 

            Outside of the context of worship i.e. the secular concert setting a Christian music aesthetic can include music for music’s sake.  However, the Christian musician always brings to a secular performance an awareness of the God who created the great art of music.  The musician who is musically aware will be able to listen to music at a much deeper level tan the neophyte who is enjoying his first listening experience in the concert hall.  The musically educated will be much more aware of the beauty and import of the music being performed.  Those who understand key structure, tonality, melody, harmonic practice and form will hear and perceive a multiplicity of aspects of a musical performance.  This ability to perceive musically opens a whole realm of meanings and musical delights that completely escape the casual “music lover”.  However, the Christian musician should always be cognizant of the marvels of the Creator who made aesthetic beauty and import available to the musically aware. 

            Claims that music is a closed system that reveals the true meaning of life to the musically aware without the possibility of any referential meaning have not been substantiated.  Even though they have disagreed about whether music’s meaning is referential or not, many music philosophers through the ages have believed that music does communicate something.  What that something is has been a matter of much conjecture, argument, and disagreement.