Okay, so I'm becoming a Dawn Eden fan. She is a very intelligent Christian woman from NJ who writes brilliantly. Besides, she has given me a trackback on her blog.(thanks, Dawn) In her op-ed from theNew York Post entitled ,"The Grinch Who Stole "Messiah" makes a very poignant recollection of having been part of music program of Soputh Orange and Malepwood, NJ which has now thrown out some of the greatest cultural experiences available in the name of "diversity" (not her words but easily infered in the context). Having sung Handel's "Messiah" I know the thrill of seeing everyone stant as the opening notes of the "Hallelujah Chorus" are played. I know the feeling of having done something worthwhile with my time learning that complex piece of music that is part of handel's legacy.
Unfortunately, this isn't just happening in NJ. Even here in SC, the strains of "For the Lord God Omnipotent shal reigneth" are being replaced with "Dashing through the snow". Not that there is anything wrong with that song. Let's face it, musicaly "Jingle Bells" compares to "The Hallelujah Chorus" the way a hamburger compares to a full steak dinner.
Sadly, most kids thes days will not get to experience a great deal of great music because of its religious (mainly Judeo-Christian) nature. In New Jersey, South Carolina and points all over this nation, school music programs are going, in Eden's words, "...from Handel to scandal — all so that students barred from singing about a living God can instead sing about a living snowman." Could it be that one day in the not-too distant future, that our childrens only exposure to the "Hallelujah Chorus" will be the School House Rock episode about interjections . God forbid.
No comments:
Post a Comment