I am so torn! I truly feel that sacred music has a place in music education, and should be part of a choir's repertoire. With that being said, I think each teaching situation is going to be different. It is important to take into consideration the kinds of students you have in your class, whether it be their religion, upbringing, family experiences. Choosing repertoire that will not strike a "wrong note" with students and their families is going to be the safest decision. At the same time, I do think it is completely possible to teach sacred music without enforcing the text or collectively interpreting the story or meaning behind the music. While historical aspects are important and crucial to understanding the music, the text and meaning of a piece do not need to be believed or practiced, rather they just need to be sung in accordance to the musical style or genre.
The more and more I think about it, the more I'm realizing that this debate has so many variables and factors that can contribute to a "firm" answer. A school in "the bible belt" isn't going to have as many problems as a school, say, in the northeast, where christianity is still dominant, but not by a vast majority. So much to ponder....so much to ponder....
Basically, I'm still very confused. I wish there was a happy medium somewhere! It is all going to depend on the group of students you have, the administration, and the culture of the area.
My brain hurts!!
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