Embedded Files
Goals
Goals
- Experience a piece of gospel music
- Deepen the experience through reflection, songwriting, and art-making
- Explore the themes of belief and affirmation
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Performance Video
Performance Video
This video features pianist Damien Sneed and Dr. Iona Locke as they talk about and demonstrate call and response in gospel music. Gospel music is characterized by dominant vocals, strong harmonies, and religious lyrics. However, the art form is composed and performed for many purposes outside of religious contexts and has become a part of contemporary entertainment and cultural music. This video clip is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz Academy which features education and performances rooted in jazz.
Warm Up
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
Listen to the music.
Take a deep breath in for two counts and out for two counts. Take a deep breath in for four counts and out for four counts.
Inhale and on the exhale clap your hands. Inhale and as you exhale stomp your foot. Repeat several times.
Continue to move your body to the music in any way you like.
Reflection / Discussion
Reflection / Discussion
What do you notice about the performers?
What are they wearing? What might this tell us about them?
How do they move their bodies while they sing and play? What are their facial expressions?
What is Damien Sneed wearing? Would you consider it a costume?What do you notice about the space they are in?
2. Listen to the music.
How would you describe the piano and organ throughout the song?
How would you describe the quality of the singer’s voice?
How does the music make you feel?
3. Listen to the words.
What words stand out to you? Why do these words stand out?
What do you notice about the words?
How do the words make you feel?
Songwriting
Songwriting
The song “Walk By Faith” uses call and response. In the song, Dr. Iona Locke sings each ‘call’ line, and the choir simply responds “walk by faith.” Locke mentions people who had to walk by faith, people who had to believe in something deeply, potentially without proof of its existence.
The song “Walk By Faith” uses call and response. In the song, Dr. Iona Locke sings each ‘call’ line, and the choir simply responds “walk by faith.” Locke mentions people who had to walk by faith, people who had to believe in something deeply, potentially without proof of its existence.
- Write our own lyrics to the call section of a call and response song, based on the beliefs that inspire you. You can write your responses on paper or print out the document below.
2. Add in the response section to our call and response song, adding in the response “that’s what I believe”, marked in bold after each line. You can write your responses on paper or print out the document below.
2. Add in the response section to our call and response song, adding in the response “that’s what I believe”, marked in bold after each line. You can write your responses on paper or print out the document below.
3. Read it again, after each response line, add a clap or a stomp.
3. Read it again, after each response line, add a clap or a stomp.
4. If you are creating this with a partner take turns doing the call and the response.
4. If you are creating this with a partner take turns doing the call and the response.
Art-Making
Art-Making
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil OR Collage Materials
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil OR Collage Materials
A belief board is a visual representation of your beliefs. Write, draw, or collage about things you believe in. You can use the prompts from the songwriting activity or your own ideas as you create your belief board. Some ideas include...
A belief board is a visual representation of your beliefs. Write, draw, or collage about things you believe in. You can use the prompts from the songwriting activity or your own ideas as you create your belief board. Some ideas include...
- A person you trust in
- A place that makes you feel confident
- A sound that makes you feel good
- A feeling
- A word or quote that inspires you
- An object that comforts you
Example: I included a picture my family (a person I trust in), a collaged ocean and sun out of magazine cuttings (a place that makes me feel confident), and collaged letters to write out calm (a feeling). I wrote a quote that inspires me
Example: I included a picture my family (a person I trust in), a collaged ocean and sun out of magazine cuttings (a place that makes me feel confident), and collaged letters to write out calm (a feeling). I wrote a quote that inspires me
Explore More
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Extension Questions:
What was it like to read your call and response lyrics out loud?
Did the clap or stomp affect the way the words felt? How?
Is it easy or hard to believe in something you don’t have proof of. Why or why not?
Additional Links:
Additional Links:
To learn more about Damien Sneed, click here.
To learn more about the Jazz Academy , click here.
To watch more videos from Lincoln Center at Home clips, click here.
Share:
Share:
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website. Post photos of your art projects using the hashtag #LincolnCenterAtHome.
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