Singing With the New Order Amish: How Their Current Musical Practices Reflect Their Culture and History

The culture of the New Order Amish is a culture, like that of the more traditional Old Order Amish, in which a heritage of singing is very important. Multiple researchers have investigated the culture and the singing of the Old Order Amish, but very few have examined New Order culture and even fewer have studied their music. The oral transmission of Amish music has also been examined by past researchers, but there has not been research in this area recently. This is significant, as there have been several new sources of transcription of these rarely recorded melodies. This thesis utilizes observation of a New Order community and interviews within this community, as well as the examination of new transcriptions alongside previously researched material. This reveals the role music plays in the life of these New Order Amish and the relationship of their music to their overall culture. This thesis also updates the research of previous researchers, include Rupert Karl Hohmann and Nicholas Temperley, on the oral transmission of traditional Amish melodies. Adding the new sources of transcription confirms many of these earlier researchers findings. The oral transmission of Amish music is of particular importance to researchers of oral transmission because the lifestyle of the Amish provides an environment almost completely free from outside musical influence. This thesis provides valuable information concerning New Order Amish culture, New Order Amish music and also for the study of oral transmission.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.M.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College-Conservatory of Music: Music History

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Cincinnati

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Clarkson, Rebecca

Contributors dc:contributor

• Peattie, Matthew

• Music
• New Order Amish
• Amish Singing
• Oral Transmission
• New Order Amish Culture
• American Singing Traditions

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1352993454

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ucin1352993454