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SPIRITed Gospel Singing
The EKD Institute for Social Sciences presents gospel music study
June 16, 2009
Gospel music has found many fans in Germany. There are already an estimated 3,000 gospel choirs with over 100,000 members, and their numbers are increasing. So far there has been no reliable data about the singers' origins, motives, ages or involvement in congregational life. The EKD Institute for Social Sciences has now closed this research gap. 8,411 singers and 421 choir conductors gave information for this survey, the first to be held nationwide. Project director Petra-Angela Ahrens announced the results today in Karlsruhe, along with Ulrich Fischer, the bishop of Baden, Oberlandeskirchenrat Hans Christian Brandy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover and Martin Bartelworth of Creative Kirche and manager of the International Gospel Kirchentag, a large gospel music festival in Germany. The location for the presentation was chosen deliberately: the Fifth International Gospel Kirchentag is due to take place in Karlsruhe from 10 to 12 September 2010.
"Singing in a gospel choir is attractive to people who otherwise have little contact with a local church," affirmed Bishop Fischer. "The study confirms our experience that gospel choirs introduce and integrate a living form of ecumenism into the church congregations, creating community between confessions and generations," Fischer added.
"The evaluation showed that 44 percent of those interviewed had a stronger feeling of church bonds through their participation in a gospel choir. Many singers experienced a change in their relation to the church through their involvement in the life of the choir. Sociologist Ahrens says that 32 percent felt that the choir "had heightened their spirituality." According to Bartelworth, "The gospel movement is a fantastic opportunity for people and the church."
"The enthusiasm at the Gospel Kirchentag in Hanover was most impressive," said Brandy. "The study now shows that younger people, in particular, who enjoy and enthuse about the choir come closer to the gospel and to faith. Gospel choirs are an expression of a joyful and missionary church. That is something we wish to continue to promote."
Gospel singers are on average 42 years old. They have an above-average level of formal education: 56 percent have gained at least the qualifications to enter technical college. Women account for 80 percent, ten percent more than in mixed choirs. Gospel singers prefer music with a modern, rhythmic style, i.e. pop, musicals and rock. Classical music is less popular. Few, if any, would listen to folk music, operetta or the hit parade.
Besides the joy of singing and making music, something true of all singers, the singers appreciate the sense of fellowship in the choir. Ahrens emphasizes that 93 percent of interviewees name this as their reason for participating. "I recharge my batteries at choir rehearsals, and can forget everyday difficulties. But I also recognize what I have in knowing God," says gospel singer Friedemann Winter (27). "With this music we appeal to the middle generation of 25 to 60, which is often missing in churches," stresses Roland Scheel (49) from the Warder Gospel Choir. Those asked were unanimous in their opinion: gospel music gives strength for everyday life and creates a bond between people of quite diverse personalities. This type of music exhilarates people close to the church and those at a distance alike.
"You mustn't conclude that gospel choirs are a panacea to fill the churches," says Petra-Angela Ahrens. "After all, not everyone likes-or is suited to-singing in a choir." The prerequisite is, moreover, that members are fond of the rhythmic, swinging style of gospel music and open for religious questions.
The EKD Institute for Social Sciences sent the questionnaire to 1,605 choirs all over Germany in summer 2008. This was done in cooperation with Creative Kirche and thanks to the support of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover and the Hanns Lilje Foundation. Project director Ahrens says that 29 percent of questionnaires were returned. "That is a very good result," she comments.
Hanover, 16 June 2009
EKD Press Office
Silke Römhild
Please address any inquiries to:
Petra-Angela Ahrens (0511 / 554741-23)
Petra-angela.ahrens@si-ekd.de