Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Christian Socialism: A Critique, Sorrel Paris

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Robert Owen said in 1816, “Society may be formed so as to exist without crime, without poverty, with health greatly improved, with little, if any misery, and with intelligence and happiness increased a hundredfold; and no obstacle whatsoever intervenes at this moment except ignorance.” 200 years later, however, no such system exists. A society in which every need is met, every resource fully available, every talent fully utilized for good, may be considered the ideological pinnacle of human civilization, but the question of how to create such a utopia remains unanswered.

Many modern intellectuals favor socialism or its more extreme …

Music In India: An Overview, Anna E. Evans

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Music is fundamentally connected to culture, providing a mirror that reflects a culture’s philosophies, religion, social standards, and history. Unfortunately, this unique relationship is lost to the typical consumer of western contemporary music. Refreshingly, the vast culture of India is intricately woven into the fabric of the rich diversity of the music that nation has produced in the past and continues to produce today. India’s music, therefore, with even the briefest understanding of its heritage, provides the listener with a panorama of India’s resplendent culture. This paper attempts to give a terse overview of those philosophies and structures found within …

Musically Russian: Nationalism In The Nineteenth Century, Joshua J. Taylor

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

What does it mean to be Russian? In the nineteenth century, Russia saw a growth in nationalism. Intellectuals began producing literature, music, and artwork that represented Russian culture and served to separate them from France. In particular, music was a driving force in creating nationalism. Russian thought regarding national culture creation in the nineteenth century reflected the idea that every people group has a unique musical style. The influence of Russian musical style can be seen in the works of Musorgsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Each of these composers contributed to nationalism in their own unique way.

The Interwoven Evolution Of The Early Keyboard And Baroque Culture, Rachel Stevenson

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact that Baroque society had in the development of the early keyboard. While the main timeframe is Baroque, a few references are made to the late Medieval Period in determining the reason for the keyboard to more prominently emerge in the musical scene. As Baroque society develops and new genres are formed, different keyboard instruments serve vital roles unique to their construction. These new roles also affect the way music was written for the keyboard as well. Advantages and disadvantages of each instrument are discussed, providing an analysis of what would …

An Examination Of Abraham Lincoln's Racial Views, Christian Ellis

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Despite the overwhelming amount of writings that exist on the subject of Abraham Lincoln, there seems to be no clear consensus regarding what his personal views on race were. Depending on the work, Abraham Lincoln has been painted as either a color-blind Great Emancipator or a secret white supremacist who actively worked against the emancipation movement. With the recent debate over the Confederate flag and other race-related issues, the need to clarify the teachings on Lincoln has perhaps rarely been more relevant. This study examines his own writings, his public speeches, and the recollections of those who knew him best. …

Life-Like: American Society And The Early To Mid-Twentieth Century Musical, Kaleigh M. Kenney

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

While entertainment is usually seen as a distraction from people’s everyday lives, it is actually more accurate to see it as a reflection of the society and culture from which it came. This is especially true for the genre of musical theatre, which has been known to be both shaped by culture and a commentary on it. This presentation seeks to examine the interaction between the culture and mindset of America from the early to mid-twentieth century and the musicals of that time period. This can be seen especially when it comes to the subjects that the writers of these …

Sing About Me: Kendrick Lamar In Posterity, Brandon Apol

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Sometimes it would seem that the quietest moments turn out to have the loudest repercussions. This would certainly seem to be a consistent case for twenty eight-year old Kendrick Lamar, whose career has been defined by surprise and unannounced publications of music that shortly afterward are spun wildly into massively respected works of art. With an album that no one anticipated going to the 2013 Grammy awards, an album that leaked a week ahead of schedule (and brought Kendrick 5 Grammys), and an album that was released with almost no warning whatsoever, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth makes headlines with his art; …

Not Written In Letters Of Blood: The Forgotten Legacy Of The Army Of The Cumberland, Andrew R. Perkins

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

There is a chapter missing in the annals of Civil War history. The story of an entire army, the Army of the Cumberland, is not being told. Instead, the army teeters on the verge of absolute obscurity due to three factors: poorly timed battles, personal feuds between Union officers, and the undue emphasis of Civil War historians on Southern Romanticism.

The Army of the Cumberland won numerous victories, including Shiloh, Stones’ River and the Tullahoma Campaign. Yet, because the Eastern army, the Army of the Potomac, fought larger battles at nearly the same times, the Cumberlanders did not receive their …

Swing It Sister: The Influence Of Female Jazz Musicians On Music And Society, Kirsten Saur

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Female jazz vocalists, both as soloists and in groups, and instrumentalists, both as solo artists and in ensembles, of the jazz era influenced music and society in their own times and in later times. They added new musical concepts, added new vocal styles, worked to change the society they lived in, and worked hard to find their place in music no matter what got in their way, making them inspirations for future generations of women striving to succeed in the world. This paper looks at how these women of jazz influenced music, society, and future generations of women through their …

Improvisation: The History Of Unplanned Notes In Structured Music, Daniel T. Galey

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Since improvisation is an important aspect of music in today’s society, questions arise whether improvisation was essential in music from the past or whether it even existed in the past. Rather than discussing the origin of improvisation, this paper will discuss the evolution of improvisation starting in the medieval period. This paper argues that improvisation did exist in the medieval period, and seeks to show certain ways in which it was evident and how it developed in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Many historically documented books discuss the music from different time periods. I specifically study the aspects of music …

Inspiration Or Distraction: Eugene Debs At The Head Of American Socialism 1895-1921, Stanley Schwartz

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This project seeks to provide historical context for the modern revival of avowed socialism in America through an examination of Eugene V. Debs leadership of American Socialism from 1895 to 1921. The paper argues that Debs’ leadership of American socialism was unsuccessful because he left the critical task of convincing the American people that the ideology of Socialism is correct and fundamentally different from traditionalism, capitalism, and progressivism, incomplete. Reform Socialism did not distinguish itself from local progressivism, and revolutionary Socialism adopted violent, opportunistic methods which prevented broad support. Debs’ unique ideology of Founding ideals, faith in democracy, and total …

Music And Athletics: An Inseparable Bond, Alisha Symington

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Music is so deeply ingrained in nearly every part of our culture, it sometimes passes by unnoticed. However, if one were to remove music from its typical appearance, the resulting silence can be deafening. For example, in a film, such as Star Wars, if the main theme did not exist, the anticipation of the film and the overall reaction to the plot would be far less appealing. If clothing stores did not play spunky electronic music, would consumer’s shopping habits be altered? A strongly universal and historic aspect of culture that a lack of music would dramatically is the world …

“Musical Fury”: Impressing Through Expressing In Baroque Improvisation, Hannah M. Rinehart

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Baroque music experienced a dramatic change in performance practice which sprang out of certain techniques used in the Renaissance period and the emphasis placed during this time on expression and emotion in music. In the Baroque time period, much emphasis was placed on expression, emotion, and creativity in both the academic sphere and in the arts. In the arts this can be seen in elaborate and decorative architecture, emotional and expressive paintings, and creative and individualized music. Music itself developed from the simple, structured forms of the Renaissance period to the driven, complex, emotional and expressive forms of the Baroque …

From Bows To Sound-Chests: Tracing The Ancestry Of The Violin, Janelle Finley

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The subject of the ancestry of the violin is something that has been largely studied, researched, debated, and written about in great detail. However, despite all of the research and study, the ancestry of the violin is still not certain. This paper first presents two different schools of thought, each proposing different theories as to how the ancestry of the violin should be determined and what instruments should be included in the ancestry of the violin. The first school of thought proposes that the violin’s ancestry should be traced through the bow. The second theory proposes that the violin’s ancestry …

From Sin To Sensation: The Progression Of Dance Music From The Medieval Period Through The Renaissance, Jillissa A. Brummel

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This research paper explores how dance music has been part of the foundation for musical art in world history and the key to unlocking information concerning societal atmospheres throughout history. With each age and progression of music came new genres, instruments and social beliefs that were woven through religious and secular culture, each of which impacted the production of dance throughout the centuries. As dance music infiltrated the social and religious scenes of the medieval period, the sacred value of dancing was questioned which are presented through historical sources on pagan culture in the medieval period. Further research on improvements …

In The Shadow Of Petrucci: Why Attaingnant And His Methods Are Lost In History, Sean A. Kisch

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The music printing of Ottaviano Petrucci has been largely regarded by historians to be the most elegant and advanced form of music publishing in the Renaissance, while printers such as Pierre Attaingnant are only given an obligatory nod. Through historical research and a study of primary sources such as line-cut facsimiles, I sought to answer the question, how did the triple impression and single impression methods of printing develop, and is one superior to the other? While Petrucci’s triple impression method produced cleaner and more connected staves, a significant number of problems resulted, including pitch accuracy and cost efficiency. Attaingnant’s …

The Secret Society Of Opera, Brittney S. Mitchell

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Opera, perhaps fittingly described as an eclectic compilation of philosophy and Greek theater, emerged in Florence Italy during the late Renaissance. This Paper is essentially and observation of such activities attributed to a scholarly salon known as the Florentine Camerata. The Florentine Camerata was in fact a large series of scholarly salons throughout the Florence area. Many of their activists were amongst Florence’s greatest scientists, philosophers, and artists. This paper covers the inner workings of one specific Camerata that created the very first Operas. Then, one of the key attributors; Claudio Monteverdi, continued that tradition with his own developments. Monteverdi …

Associations Of Religious Involvement And Mortality: A Critical Review, Thomas Fisher

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

In this review we address the conflicts of previous research on associations between religious involvement and longevity. We will also discuss causes of conclusional variance within these studies. Our study of inconclusive research will equip individuals with insight about sources of disagreement and origins of variance within empirical studies on religiosity and longevity. A wide variety of sources were selected to represent the diversity of findings. Most selected studies identified psychosocial elements of religiosity and proposed a positive, negative, or no correlation with longevity. We reviewed the validity of each study and analyzed the proposed association with longevity. Numerous methodologically …

Musica In Tempore Belli: An Analysis Of “Black Angels”, Calvin D. Hitchcock

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Described as “…extraordinarily haunting” and “[the] intoxicating magic of…sound,”(Steinitz, 1978) the music of George Crumb is some of the most evocative and expressive music of the 20th century. His extensive use of extended techniques (many of which he pioneered) is in part what makes his music so memorable. Also known for its liberal use of theatricality, Crumb’s music has become a standard of the 20th century, as well as in the contemporary music canon overall.

“Black Angels” for Electric String Quartet, subtitled “Thirteen Images from the Dark Land” was written as a response to the Vietnam War and is one …

Birth Of The Pipes: The Organ From Its Beginnings Through The Baroque Era, Joshua Drake

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The purpose of this presentation is to survey the development of the organ, which is one of the most magnificent and impressive musical instruments known to man. The main objective is also to explain how and why the organ developed the way that it did. Further, the presentation will attempt to answer the following questions: what deficiencies in the performance of early organs were organ builders trying to improve on, what differences in sound did they want new organs to be able to produce, and how did the needs and preferences of organists influence changes in organ design? The majority …

Tom Bombadil And Goldberry: Romantic Theology As Revelation In Tolkien’S The Lord Of The Rings, Brandon Best

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

While the majority of literary critics suggest Tom Bombadil either subverts or dilutes the Rivendell’s against Mordor, this essay analyzes Bombadil and Goldberry through the romantic theology of Charles Williams, Tolkiens’ fellow Inkling. William’s romantic theology suggests romantic experiences reveals glimpses of perfection, suggesting the Hobbits’ stay at Tom Bombadil’s home within Withywindle reveals the ideal of salvation within The Lord of the Rings. Utilizing Williams’ Outlines of Romantic Theology, this essay shows how Tolkien’s vision for an ideal community guides Bombadil as the moral model for the rest of the free peoples to follow. While romantic theology clearly influenced …

An Unusual Success: A Study Of Modern Pop Music, Nate Chester

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This research paper explores modern pop music’s ability to quickly capture the attention of listeners. Its purpose is to provide evidence that explains the success of pop songs through the recording industry’s advanced methods of production. This paper discusses the perfected ability of these methods to quickly “hook” the listener and potentially result in a viral dissemination of the music through a combined use of modern technology. Evidence is shown both through the study of these methods and through the examination of specific examples in seeking to identify the reasons behind the success of this music. An emphasis is placed …

From Silence To Golden: The Slow Integration Of Instruments Into Christian Worship, Jonathan Lyons

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The Christian church’s stance on the use of instruments in sacred music shifted through influences of church leaders, composers, and secular culture. Synthesizing the writings of early church leaders and church historians reveals a clear progression. The early musical practices of the church were connected to the Jewish synagogues. As recorded in the Old Testament, Jewish worship included instruments as assigned by one’s priestly tribe. Eventually, early church leaders rejected that inclusion and developed a rather robust argument against instruments in liturgical worship. The totalitarian stance on musical instruments in sacred worship began to loosen as the organ increased in …

A Historically Informed Performance Of A Woman's Love And Life, Michaela S. Wade

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

In order to give an outstanding performance of this celebrated song cycle, the most important thing, besides learning the music, is to learn the history behind it. It greatly helps the performer to have knowledge of the music, which in turn helps with communicating the narrative to the audience. The information presented in this paper is derived from scholarly journal articles and books by professors and historians who have studied Robert Schumann in the Romantic period and the influence of his German song cycles. The purpose of this paper is to examine the origin of the text used in Schumann’s …

Should English Spelling Be Reformed?: A History Of English Spelling, Rachel M. Schloneger

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This paper explores the deep, and surprisingly informative, history of English spelling. It is a well-known fact that English spelling is confusing and troublesome for native speakers and non-native speakers alike. Its history is a winding road that ventures into various languages, picking up rules and idiosyncrasies along the way. The question facing linguists and other English language scholars is whether the system that is worth keeping or if reformative measures are needed. In its history, English has overcome invasions, subjugation, and conversion efforts to become what it is today. In the past many individuals have suggested reforms and have …

Coursing With Coils: The Only Orchestral Instrument Harder Than The French Horn, Sarah R. Plumley

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Playing the horn has become not only more sophisticated and accurate, but simpler and more efficient for the horn player than what it was three hundred years ago. The natural horn, used in a variety ways in early history, demanded an incredible level of skill and precision, more than our valved horn today in some ways because it required a more accurate ear, more embouchure dexterity, and the necessity of wrangling crooks for different keys. Thus, it required many practiced skills of the player that are no longer as necessary as they once were. This paper discusses each of these …

Identity In Music, Josiah D. Keith

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Whether consciously or not, every person answers the question, “Who am I?” Every mundane action, every syllable spoken, and even every event that affects someone, contribute to the realization of “who I am.” The answer to this question is always an individual’s identity. Identity helps a person achieve a desired social acceptance or success in a certain field. Much of the same can be said for the identity of a group. Different groups throughout history have constantly been fighting for their place in history. The identity of a group is based on the values that they hold, their ideals, actions, …

2016 Symposium Overview, Cedarville University

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

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The Relationship Between Music Preference, Moral Competence, And Spiritual Well-Being In Christian College Students, Elizabeth Stokes, Gabrielle Metzler, Chi-En Hwang, Di Wu

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

In this survey study, we examined the effect of Christian music with lyrics versus secular music with lyrics (written as “Christian music” and “secular music”) on the moral competence and spiritual well-being of college students. These students were taken from the population of Cedarville University and were aged 18-25. We hypothesized that Christians who listen to mostly Christian music have higher moral competence and spiritual well-being than those who listen to primarily secular music. Tested through an online survey using the Moral Competence Test (MCT) and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWB), this study found no gender differences, therefore the subsequent …