SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Music

CONTRIBUTORS:

Adiele, C. S;
Agu, D.C.C;

ABSTRACT:

This work traced the musical tradition of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and analyzed selected liturgical Songs used in Adventist worship in Abia State. It examined the origin of liturgical songs with particular reference to the Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Ngwa land. It focused on the musical form and content of liturgical songs written in vernacular. It also examined the role of Composers, the Clergy, Choirs and the Congregation in the process of perpetuating the unique musical heritage of the Adventist faith. Fieldwork was conducted in Ten Districts of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Aba East and Aba South Conferences. The Districts are: Aba central, Aba East, Umuokahia Township, Mawa Farm, Ngwa road East, Umuocham, Abayi, Ogbor Township, Umukalika/Umuagu, and Ariria District. Data were collected through interviews of key persons in the administrative units of Aba East and Aba South Conferences; through participant observation at Choir rehearsals and Church worship sessions; through participation at a workshop organized for choirmasters, organists, and song leaders; and through face to face discussions with prominent composers. Relevant information was also collected from libraries, recorded songs and the internet. The data collected were later subjected to content analysis. Three types of music namely, lyric airs, hymns and anthems were identified in the liturgy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but the study focused on lyric airs written in vernacular. The compositional techniques employed in writing the songs include a combination of African, Western and individual, which are mostly propelled by inspiration. The musical forms used in the lyric airs include: Call and Response, Solo and Chorused Refrain, and the Mixed Structural forms. The performance styles of the songs adhere strictly to the Igbo musical performance practices. The study concluded that the liturgical lyric airs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are authentic to be included in the repertoire of liturgical music for Christian Churches in Abia State.