Music and Rituals

    Music has a big impact on all types of ceremonies, as no ceremony that you attend will be completely quiet. Personally, my favorite ceremony to attend, with the best music, is my church's Christmas Eve night service. I love Christmas and I love the music that is played during the season. It brings me joy and brings everyone together. During this service there is a variety of music and instruments being played, but everyone sings together from the hymns. Typically the service starts with a loud and triumphant song that introduces the choir, the different types of instruments being played, the pastor, and the acolytes... etc. There's a trumpet, bells, piano, many people singing and more. Usually this song is "Joy to the World" and it is very joyful and loud, which gets the sermon started. Throughout the service there's a change in songs such as "Silent Night" which happens during the candlelight service, and is very different from "Joy to the World". During this time the church is dark, it is very quiet and soft, the only instrument being played is the piano, unlike in the beginning of the service. Not only this, but there are other songs played throughout the service that all represents different things. To end the service, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is played, which is just as loud and triumphant as the opening song. It brings joy back into the church and brings everyone together before we leave for the night to celebrate the birth of Jesus. My favorite song during this service is probably "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" because it has a special meaning to my family. 

    While looking at other ceremonies, I found myself diving deeper into the opening ceremony at the Olympics. I have always loved the Olympics and I especially love watching the opening ceremony. For those who have watched the ceremonies over the years we all know the iconic theme song, "Olympic Fanfare and Theme". When I hear this song I immediately think of competition and togetherness. Not only is this song a big part of the Olympics, but there is a multitude of others songs that are played throughout the opening ceremony. For example, in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the opening music played was native to the country. So, depending on where the Olympics is set, the music will be different every time. I think that is a super cool aspect of the games because many nations are able to get a look into a certain countries music and culture. Not only this, but during the Parade of Nations, there is a variety of music played as athletes from around the world march in and are introduced.