Fieldwork Project, 1

Fieldwork Topic: Gospel Music, specifically at Olney Street Baptist Church


Notes:

*Note about notes: It was difficult to record detailed notes of occurances and I missed several songs and song titles. I felt I was being rude by writing while the service was going on, so I made quick and vague notes when I felt I wouldn't be drawing attention to what I was doing. I chose not to bring an audio recorder because I wasn't sure if that would be appropriate, but next time I think I will bring one and ask beforehand if I can use it.

-Welcomed into service before I had chance to explain my mission, about 25 people present scattered throughout benches
-service began with congregation singing two songs from The New National Baptist Hymnal (162 Pass Me Not, 164 I Have Declined to Follow Jesus), accompanied by piano and led by elderly female cantor. Most of the hymns in this book are musically written out in two- or three-part harmonies, but people are often flexible with the harmonies and melodies. Various people will also periodically raise their voices above others in both pitch and volume to sing a solo line. None of the changes in harmony or solo create dissonance
-Most in congregation sing, some clap, about two-thirds know songs without reading from book
-Woman stands after song to announce her thanks to God that her brother is doing well, followed by multiple "amen"'s
-Begin song "In the Name of Jesus," starts with only pianist, more people file into church, talk with each other, shake hands or hug
-Cantor begins to sing and starts walking and touching hands and finally takes a seat within the congregation
-song continues, people chime in here and there while still talking and greeting each other
-The next is an unnanounced song everyone seems to know by heart that makes reference to soldiers, and a group of six uniformly dressed middle-aged men enter through the door and walk up the aisle while singing, eventually taking seat in front row
-The six men get up in front of all to sing next song, one man sings first, others join in in responsive harmony, sort of call-and-response, met by scattered shouts of approval from audience
-break from singing, someone takes microphone and asks that anyone who is a guest or visiting for the first time please stand and say your name and church affiliation. I automatically stand, but then regret it, as I have no church affiliation and do not want to be mistaken for appreciating the service in a way I cannot based on my own religious views. It is too late, though, and the mic is passed to me, so I state my name and say I am "just visiting," and make some sort of awkward, uncomfortable giggle. To my relief, no one questions me; people just smile and say "welcome." I sit down.

*From this point on, the order of things is a bit confused, as I was scribbling notes on the program in all different angles and in no particular order, but I will try to recreate the order as accurately as possible.

-Pastor begins singing song a capella, others join, initially in various keys which makes the song sound very offtune. Pianist struggles to find chords that will match, eventually everything comes together
-Various people stand up to make announcements (events, ask people to accept church positions if asked, present a format for what is hoped to be a church newsletter, etc.)
-Pastor names sort of goal for day: "What to do when what you're doing isn't working." Explains that sometimes its hard to let go of old methods, but we have to realize that times change and methods must change accordingly, and it is insanity to keep trying something that isn't working. He gives an example of a story from the Bible in which different tribes in Israel are at war, the "good" side is losing so they pray to God for another way and God gives them a winning strategy
-Begin singing "When the Saints go Marching In," women wearing white walk through Aisles with gold tins collecting money. I feel obligated and pull out a dollar, and look around anxiously trying to find who I should give it to. A woman taps me from behind and smiles, holding out the tin, and I put in the dollar
-Song 309 "Higher Ground" is sung by all, and Pastor asks that everyone start singing with just one hand up while we remain singing. When the lyrics say "stand," we are all instructed to stand. We repeat this song several times while swaying.
-two people I did not see in the audience before, a man and a woman, walk up the Aisle hastilly, and the Pastor explains that one can be saved just by accepting Jesus as their savior. The two people stand right in front of the Pastor, facing him and with their backs to us, and we are instructed to recite something in the book. I begin to recite, but then feel uncomfortable and stop as I'm not sure what is going on. After, the Pastor whispers things to each person, and the retreat to the back hastily, the woman with tears in her eyes
-everyone sings "This Little Light of Mine"
-Closing song, all hold hands and sway, and say "bless you" afterward
-service ends, I shake hands with Pastor and he inquires if I am a Brown student, and I confirm. I go downstairs to reception to seek someone I can speak with about my project, and am met with many "welcome"'s and "please come back again"'s

Reflection on experience:

I found that I was more uncomfortable with myself than others were with me being there. The real source of my discomfort was that I felt sort of guitly for participating in something that means so much to others around me, but that I do not share this meaning and belief. At the end, when people held hands and said "bless you" to eachother, including to me, I said it back, but I felt sort of wrong about it because I can't mean it the way those who follow this religion do. This presents me with a delema I have still not solved: When being a participant-observer, is it more respectful to attempt to blend in and participate and do or say what those around you are doing, regardless of whether or not the words have meaning to you? Or is it more respectful to refrain from saying certain phrases, thus confirming that saying the words is a powerful and meaningful action, and the sacredness should not be diminished by people who just throw them around but don't personally believe in them? I wish I had a chance to explain my true intentions prior to attending service, but I will make an effort to clarify next time.
I did, however, make an effort to participate in hymns and songs when lyrics were available, and I found that the more I actually participated rather than observed, the more I found myself getting into the service and the pastor's charismatic stories and words. I found myself nodding along with everyone else without even realizing. I found the "silent" prayer to be particularly interesting, which I also participated in (although, as I said, I am not a Christian Baptist, I channelled my prayer energy to my own higher-power beliefs). The piano played chords in the background (3/4 meter, pattern of I, IV, V IV V, I) had a significant effect on my emotional levels during the prayer, which I found fascinating. I almost started tearing up, which is unlike me. Music is very powerful.

Further Questions:
The majority of the service consisted of music rather than speech. Does the music express the religious sentiments of the members of the church more precisely than speech? Why is this music meaningful for the church members? In what ways do the specific musical qualities of the hymns both influence and represent emotion?

How many of the particpants in singng actually read music? For those who have memorized songs, how did this happen? Where these hymns passed through families, or have certain members experienced specific hymns in church(es) since childhood? Do members have musical background, as certain harmonically pleasing improvisations would seem to indicate?