I remember singing alto in church, when I was a girl and studying piano. My mom shushed me — ‘That is prideful, to sing parts. You have to sing the melody.’ This was in a Lutheran church here in California, nothing very fundamentalist going on there. She was raised Christian Science, and maybe this had more to do with what she said. Does anyone recognize this ‘theology’??? I have always wondered about it.
I have always loved the hymns and the harmonies. It must have been beautiful when folks knew how to sing them. Our German friends, young folks, break into 4-part harmony around the table, at dinner or cake and coffee.
Interesting article, thanks for posting.
There was a tradition in some German churches that unison singing was more symbolic of the unity of the congregation than part singing.
When I was growing up in the Presbyterian church, everyone sang all the hymns in four parts. I miss that now.