Rites and their Music

Rites, as I see them, don't particularly exist in the same respect as they once did, especially when considering the role that music plays within them. In my experience, the only rites which are directly connected with music to this day are: marriage and graduation. Despite there obviously still being rites for birth and death (and perhaps certain others can be considered on similar grounds), I don't particularly see a connection drawn with any music in particular. For births, I can't recall having ever been a part of any services containing music whatsoever, though I think it would be quite interesting if someone broke that mold. Deaths/funerals, in my mind, should be accompanied by an appropriate Requiem Mass. Those masterpieces tell the story of someone's passing so much better than words ever could; yet, they are rarely, if ever, utilized.

Marriages, however, do tend to stir a common image among most as to what music is considered typical. I'm sure most of us are familiar with the "Wedding March," and, perhaps, many of us still use its melody to help us define intervals. Obviously, this piece of music plays a rather large role in many weddings (except for those that opt for a different march or piece altogether - namely Canon in D).

Graduations also rely mostly on a single piece to draw a sense of tradition together; that piece is "Pomp and Circumstance." This piece is instantly recognizeable to almost any person existing within our culture. Additionally, it is immediately connected with the typical graduation ceremony along with all its little activities (walking across the stage while hoping not to trip, filing in and out with your peers, tossing the hats, etc...).