CHAPTER 14 Voice and Worship: Tradition and Individuality in
Medieval Chant
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following does NOT describe life in the medieval cloister?
a. living in quiet seclusion
b. being at the center of trade and commerce
c. devotion to prayer, scholarship, and charity
d. participating in teaching and hospital work
2. ________ is traditionally associated with collecting and organizing the chants of the church.
a. Charlemagne c. Pope Gregory the Great
b. Léonin d. Machaut
3. Which of the following does NOT characterize plainchant?
a. monophonic texture c. free, unaccented rhythm
b. triadic harmonies d. generally conjunct motion
4. Why does Gregorian chant sound so different from other types of Western music?
a. It is for voices only. c. The melodies are sometimes improvised.
b. There is no harmony. d. It is religious.
5. A setting of Gregorian chant with one note per syllable is called
a. syllabic. c. melismatic.
b. neumatic. d. modal.
6. A setting of Gregorian chant with two to four notes per syllable might be considered
a. syllabic. c. melismatic.
b. neumatic. d. modal.
7. In addition to composing music, Hildegard of Bingen is known for
a. visions that foretold the future. c. writing religious poetry.
b. founding her own convent. d. all of the answers shown here.
8. Which of the following women was a religious leader and a prominent figure in literature and music?
a. Hildegard of Bingen c. Isabella d’Este
b. Eleanor of Aquitaine d. Lucrezia Borgia
9. On which liturgical occasion was Hildegard’s Alleluia, O virga mediatrix sung?
a. Easter Sunday c. a feast day for the Virgin Mary
b. any Sunday d. Christmas Day
10. Which religious figure is praised in the text of Hildegard’s Alleluia, O virga mediatrix?
a. Saint Peter c. the Holy Spirit
b. Jesus Christ d. the Virgin Mary
11. The sacred text of Islam is called the
a. Quran. c. maqam.
b. Adhan. d. Siyer-I Nebi.
12. In Islamic practice, how many times is the call to prayer sounded in a day?
a. three c. seven
b. five d. nine
13. A text setting with many notes set to a syllable is called
a. syllabic. c. melismatic.
b. neumatic. d. tonal.
14. The little ascending and descending symbols written above the words to suggest the contours of the melody are called
a. melismatic. c. liturgy.
b. neumes. d. chant.
15. A series of services celebrated in religious communities are called the
a. daily Offices. c. Proper.
b. Mass. d. Ordinary.
16. The reenactment of Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples is called the
a. daily Offices. c. Proper.
b. Mass. d. Ordinary.
17. The prayers that make up the Mass that vary from day to day throughout the church year, depending on the feast being celebrated, is
called the
a. Proper. c. daily Offices.
b. Ordinary. d. Kyrie.
18. The texts that remain the same in every Mass is called
a. the Ordinary. c. the daily Offices.
b. the Proper. d. antiphonal.
19. The first item in the Ordinary of the Mass is called the
a. Kyrie. c. neumes.
b. antiphonal. d. Adhan.
20. A performance style in which an ensemble is divided into two or more groups and performs in alternation is called
a. antiphonal. c. melismatic.
b. a cappella. d. neumatic.
21. The ________ is a prayer leader chosen for his vocal ability to recite the Adhan melodiously and clearly for all to hear.
a. muezzin c. Quran
b. maqam d. minaret
22. The melody of the Adhan is based on an Arabic mode, or scale type, called a
a. maqam. c. muezzin.
b. minaret. d. maqruh.
23. Which instrument, invented by the Greeks, was the first to be widely accepted for use in Christian worship?
a. organ c. harp
b. trumpet d. cymbals
24. Which religious practices influenced the early Christian church?
a. Judaism c. Islamic chant
b. the Church of Byzantium d. All answers shown here.
TRUE/FALSE
1. The knowledge of early civilizations and the culture of the Middle Ages were preserved largely in monasteries.
2. The monastic life was reserved for men only.
3. The order of church services and the structure of each service are known as the liturgy.
4. A setting of plainchant with many notes per syllable is called syllabic.
5. The modes were developed from the major and minor scales.
6. Hildegard of Bingen wrote both the poetry and the music for Alleluia, O virga mediatrix.
7. Hildegard’s Alleluia, O virga mediatrix has a neumatic text setting with some melismas.
8. The Adhan is the Islamic call to prayer.
9. The Islamic call to prayer is recited in strict rhythmic meters.
10. The prayers that make up the Mass fall into two categories: the Proper and the Ordinary.
11. Christianity directly descended from Judaism.
12. Amen and Hallelujah are Hebrew words that are common in Christian prayer.
13. A muezzin sounds the Adhan from the minaret of a mosque.
14. The Kyrie is the first item in the Proper of the Mass.
15. A series of services celebrated in religious communities at various hours of the day is called the Ordinary.
ESSAY
1. Describe the influence of the Roman Catholic Church on music in the Middle Ages.
2. Discuss the differences in text settings. Cite musical examples to support your answer.
3. What contributions did Hildegard of Bingen make to knowledge and the arts? Discuss her music in your answer.
4. Describe the similarities and differences between Christian and Islamic worship traditions and their use of music.
5. How did early Christians first establish the rituals of their church, and from where did their musical practices come?
