Singing the Rite to Belong
Ritual, Music, and the New Irish
Published on 8. June 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-19-067223-2 (ISBN)
Description
This book explores the way in which singing can foster experiences of belonging through ritual performance. Based on more than two decades of ethnographic, pedagogical and musical research, it is set against the backdrop of "the new Ireland" of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Charting Ireland's growing multiculturalism, changing patterns of migration, the diminished influence of Catholicism, and synergies between indigenous and global forms of cultural expression, it explores rights and rites of belonging in contemporary Ireland. Helen Phelan examines a range of religious, educational, civic and community-based rituals including religious rituals of new migrant communities in "borrowed" rituals spaces; baptismal rituals in the context of the Irish citizenship referendum; rituals that mythologize the core values of an educational institution; a ritual laboratory for students of singing; and community-based festivals and performances. Her investigation peels back the physiological, emotional and cultural layers of singing to illuminate how it functions as a potential agent of belonging. Each chapter engages theoretically with one of five core characteristic of singing (resonance, somatics, performance, temporality, and tacitness) in the context of particular performed rituals. Phelan offers a persuasive proposal for ritually-framed singing as a valuable and potent tool in the creation of inclusive, creative and integrated communities of belonging.
Reviews / Votes
the breath of this work ensures its significance to ritual studies, ethnography, philosophy, religion, vocal pedagogy and cultural studies. I commend this work for its originality in focus and opening a dialogue for the need for greater inclusion in modern Ireland. * Susan Motherway, Ethnomusicology Ireland * Phelan integrates a depth and breadth of knowledge in ritual studies, ethnography, philosophy, religion, music education, acoustics, and the singing voice to create a compelling argument about the profound effect that performed singing rituals have in the development of communities of belonging...Phelan's writing is of value to scholars of religion, ritual, music, and ethnic studies as well as anyone interested in the exploration of multicultural community building. * Matthew Schloneger, Reading Religion *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
573 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-067223-2 (9780190672232)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
06/2017
Oxford University Press Inc
€195.90
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
04/2017
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€24.49
Available for download
E-Book
04/2017
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€26.49
Available for download
Person
Helen Phelan is Professor of Arts Practice at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. A singer and ritual studies scholar, she is an Irish Research Council recipient for her work on singing and sustained social integration with new migrant communities in Ireland over the last two decades. Her singing interests span medieval chant to contemporary ritual vocal song while her publications are primarily in the areas of ritual studies, music education philosophy and arts practice research.
Content
Introduction
Becoming a Ritual Singer
Singing and Belonging
Book Structure
Laus Perennis
Religious Rituals
Chapter One
Borrowed Belonging: Singing and "Resounding" in the Wrong Ritual Space
Introduction
Migration and the New Irish
The Limerick Experience
The Russian Orthodox Community in the Augustinian Church, Limerick
The New Revelation Pentecostal Church in St. Michael's Church of Ireland, Limerick
Resonance as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Spheres of Resonance
A Pilgrim People
Pilgrimage and Music
Sonic authority
Conclusion
Chapter Two
Repertoires of Belonging: Embodying "Bothness" through Musical Repertoires
Introduction
St. John's Catholic Cathedral and St. Augustine's Church, Limerick
Embodying "Bothness"
Somatics as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Singing and Ideology
Gregorian Chant and the Modern Liturgical Movement
A Modern and Medieval "Enchantment"
The Pastoral Turn
The Irish Story
Conclusion
II Educational Rituals
Chapter Three
Finding Your Own Voice: Mythologizing and Ritualizing Belonging at the Irish World Academy
Introduction
The Irish World Academy
The Quest for "Imbas"
The Ritual Pit
Performance as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Performing the Academy
Conclusion
Chapter Four
Singing Belonging in the Ritual Lab
Introduction
Entering the Ritual Lab
Ritual Leaps of Faith
Ritual Lab and Singing
Ritual Criticism, Memory and Ethical Soundings
Temporality as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Ritual, Time and Space
Conclusion
III Civic and Community-Based Rituals
Chapter Five
Singing Hospitality in Community-based Ritual
Introduction
Anail De / The Breath of God
Tacitness as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Comhcheol Women's Community Choir
World Carnival
Conclusion
Chapter Six
Singing the Rite to Belong: Baptismal Rituals and the Irish Citizenship Referendum
Introduction
Backdrop to the Citizenship Referendum
The Limerick Story
Baptizing, Singing and Belonging
Somatic Community
Sonic Community
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Power of Singing
Singing the Rite to Belong
The Weakness of Singing the Rite to Belong
Becoming a Ritual Singer
Singing and Belonging
Book Structure
Laus Perennis
Religious Rituals
Chapter One
Borrowed Belonging: Singing and "Resounding" in the Wrong Ritual Space
Introduction
Migration and the New Irish
The Limerick Experience
The Russian Orthodox Community in the Augustinian Church, Limerick
The New Revelation Pentecostal Church in St. Michael's Church of Ireland, Limerick
Resonance as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Spheres of Resonance
A Pilgrim People
Pilgrimage and Music
Sonic authority
Conclusion
Chapter Two
Repertoires of Belonging: Embodying "Bothness" through Musical Repertoires
Introduction
St. John's Catholic Cathedral and St. Augustine's Church, Limerick
Embodying "Bothness"
Somatics as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Singing and Ideology
Gregorian Chant and the Modern Liturgical Movement
A Modern and Medieval "Enchantment"
The Pastoral Turn
The Irish Story
Conclusion
II Educational Rituals
Chapter Three
Finding Your Own Voice: Mythologizing and Ritualizing Belonging at the Irish World Academy
Introduction
The Irish World Academy
The Quest for "Imbas"
The Ritual Pit
Performance as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Performing the Academy
Conclusion
Chapter Four
Singing Belonging in the Ritual Lab
Introduction
Entering the Ritual Lab
Ritual Leaps of Faith
Ritual Lab and Singing
Ritual Criticism, Memory and Ethical Soundings
Temporality as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Ritual, Time and Space
Conclusion
III Civic and Community-Based Rituals
Chapter Five
Singing Hospitality in Community-based Ritual
Introduction
Anail De / The Breath of God
Tacitness as a Key Element of Sung Belonging
Comhcheol Women's Community Choir
World Carnival
Conclusion
Chapter Six
Singing the Rite to Belong: Baptismal Rituals and the Irish Citizenship Referendum
Introduction
Backdrop to the Citizenship Referendum
The Limerick Story
Baptizing, Singing and Belonging
Somatic Community
Sonic Community
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Power of Singing
Singing the Rite to Belong
The Weakness of Singing the Rite to Belong