As Asian-Americans, the worship music we sing at church is largely rooted in European melodic tradition. From the missionary hymns of the 18th and 19th century, to the contemporary worship music of the 20th and 21st century, we’ve sung the songs of Western Christians.
Have you ever considered these questions: When you go to a church full of Asian-Americans and you close your eyes, what do you hear? Would you be able to detect any distinctiveness coming from our ethnicity or culture? When you read the words on the screen, who penned those words? Where is the melody of our ancestors? Are these even valid questions at all?
On Thursday, Dec 4th, Professor Paul Huh of Columbia Theological Seminary will lead us in singing worship songs to the tune of our ancestors. Reminiscent of Western monastic singing, the eastern style of worship has simple, meditative, and powerful melodies that centers the worshiper.
Professor Huh’s research interests include liturgical musicology, space, time, history, theology, and arts in both Korean and North American settings. Additionally, he is interested in the praxis of bilingual/bicultural performing, designing, leading, and evaluating worship in an ecumenical setting.
Come out to the Communitas building located here at 7pm. Hang-out and dinner to follow afterwards.
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