Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-2000

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music

Major

Music

Major Professor

Kenneth A. Jacobs

Abstract

The purpose of this study is first, to present an original Easter drama composed by the author of this paper. The study is to then be completed by the brief examination of the use of Easter drama in the contemporary evangelical Christian church. The new composition will be of such nature as not only to reflect the history of such musical works, but also to mirror and hopefully advance the genre in terms of both suitability for use in the commercial market while retaining certain traditional standards of composition. The mam comparative works for the study section of the paper are (1) Stabat Mater by Francis Poulenc, Editions Salabert Paris, 1951, (2) Hallelujah! What A Savior! by John W Peterson, Singspiration Grand Rapids, Ml, 1957, (3) GodSpell by Stephen Schwartz, The Herald Square Music Co New York, 1971, and (4) How Great Thou Art by David Clydesdale, Benson Press Nashville, TN, 1985. The primary means and procedures to gather data for this research will be an overview of the above works to determine their application as dramatic presentations in the church. The author of this paper has an intimate knowledge of some of these works since he has been employed as a minister of music for most of the last twenty years. As such, part of the data assembly is based upon experience and practical application. The researcher intends to show: (a) that the evangelical Christian church has only recently been able to find musical works suitable for Easter drama, (b) that such works are a source of both musical and spiritual inspiration for said churches, (c) that as these churches enter the present millenium they will continue to need compositions to fill this void. The Easter work that accompanies this research is this author’s contribution to the continuance of this tradition.

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