Re-discovery of traditional music in Choong-shin Presbyterian Church, Korea

Abstract

This thesis is a study of Korean church music. It investigates the place and nature of music in the Korean Christian church for seeking links between Christianity and Korean traditional music, and trying to define the Korean church’s musical identity. The introduction of Christianity brought radical changes to Korean culture and society. Music was one of these sweeping changes. Although church music has been debated in relation to seeking Korean musical identity, however, Western music has dominated the use of music in church. This phenomenon continues in the contemporary Korean church. However, changes in this situation are beginning to be evident, as some Korean composers consciously apply aspects of traditional music in their works. In spite of this, the use of traditional music in church has not yet been viewed positively because of the Korean church’s indifference and conservatism. However, church music cannot ignore and suppress musical concepts that separate the people in the congregations from their cultural characteristics and the forces of change in the society. A new conception of music for the Korean church is raised here as an important subject, to be considered with the changing musical identity. This study provides a conceptual foundation upon which the Korean church can build and develop its church music into the future.