Kaitlyn Parmely- outside reading

Sacred song in America: religion, music and public culture by Marini
Marini says that more that one third of people claim to have a personal experience of the sacred. When listening to "absolute music" the song contains a universal spiritual and moral meaning. "Absolute music" uses rhythm and tone to promote powerful emotions from within the song. Marini says that the greatest power lies somewhere within the song, rather than within the dialogue between the singer and the listener. Within the song there is a sacred/spiritual meaning and being. As Van der Leeuw states in his book, music has the power to clearly express emotions better than words themselves can alone. When a universal meaning is established by music it has the ability to create a spiritual experience and personal meaning. Not all songs have the ability to do this. The hardest part of having an experience like this is opening up and thinking outside of the words, and actually feeling the music and how it overpowers you and touches you. Music is an extremely important part of spiritual life. Churh music has been revamped over the years to help services incorporate both sermons and song. Church music has the power and ability to touch the members of the congregation, especially when it is incorporated with other instruments and sounds. Alongside with readings from sacred books and sermons, music has the ability to establish universal meaning and take over people's emotions and send a message that is personal and similar to each personal experience.