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Choral Music and Traditions Trivia Quiz

Group vocal performances have long been a popular feature of worship and celebrations in Christian churches. Here is a quiz on some of the features and traditions of this musical form. Hope you enjoy. Thanks.

A multiple-choice quiz by neon000. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
neon000

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
264,205

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
558

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In the Orthodox Church, worshippers sing hymns, prayers and other parts of the liturgy to modes from an established group of melodies. What is the collective term for these arrangements? Hint

Standards

Routines

Framesets

Tones

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is a motet? Hint

Music written with a variety of singing parts

A type of sheet music writing

The podium for the choir director

A pastry you eat after choir practice

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Question 3 of 10

3. Znamenny chant is a style of singing which originated in what country? Hint

Poland

Russia

Germany

Czech Republic

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the chief characteristic of the "melismatic" vocal style? Hint

Shouting, instead of singing

It consists of songs written for youth choirs

Solos performed in turn by the highest-pitched and lowest-pitched singers

Stretching of syllables in the lyrics over many sung notes

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Question 5 of 10

5. In Byzantine chant, you may hear the "ison." What is it? Hint

A gong

Hand-clapping to keep time

A sustained sung note of very low pitch

A metal triangle

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Question 6 of 10

6. One of the following schools broadcasts a choral performance called the "Nine Lessons and Carols" concert every Christmas Eve. Which one is it? Hint

Yale University

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Trinity College, Dublin

King's College, Cambridge

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Question 7 of 10

7. In Anglican church music, what are the "decani" and "cantoris"? Hint

Songs for Advent, the season preceding Christmas

Hymnals given to the worshippers

Divisions of the choir into high-pitched and low-pitched voices

Special sheet music for the choir conductor

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Question 8 of 10

8. A common feature of church singing in several denominations is the antiphon. What is it? Hint

The last hymn, during which the celebrant and altar servers leave

A responsorial hymn, in which the congregation and a leader alternate sections

A hymn which announces the bringing in of the Gospel book

The hymn during which the Communion gifts are blessed

9. In Orthodox tradition, most services are sung, and in Russian society, many composers turned their efforts toward pieces for the liturgy. Sergei Rachmaninoff wrote music to accompany the liturgy of which of the following saints? Hint

St. John Chrysostom

St. James

St. Basil

St. Cyril

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Question 10 of 10

10. In the United States, prospective members of the National Catholic Youth Choir must belong to which one of the following school grade divisions? Hint

10th to 12th grades

12th grade only

Any year of junior or senior high school

11th and 12th grades

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the Orthodox Church, worshippers sing hymns, prayers and other parts of the liturgy to modes from an established group of melodies. What is the collective term for these arrangements?

Answer: Tones

There are eight tones used for the most common songs and services. Selections may change depending on the time of year, or for a particular feast.

2. What is a motet?

Answer: Music written with a variety of singing parts

A motet for large choirs may feature dozens of singing roles. This creates complex layers of sound.

3. Znamenny chant is a style of singing which originated in what country?

Answer: Russia

Znamenny chant is performed in unison. The name came from the term "znamena," meaning marks or signs, which describes the writing of the sheet music.

4. What is the chief characteristic of the "melismatic" vocal style?

Answer: Stretching of syllables in the lyrics over many sung notes

This can be used to dramatic effect. In a recording of the Divine Liturgy by the Mount Lebanon Choir, the last syllable of the word "cherubim" in "The Cherubic Hymn" was sung for over a minute and a half.

5. In Byzantine chant, you may hear the "ison." What is it?

Answer: A sustained sung note of very low pitch

Traditionally there are no harmonies or instrumental accompaniments in Byzantine chant. The closest equivalent is the "ison" or bass note, performed by one singer, while the rest of the choir sings the melody.

6. One of the following schools broadcasts a choral performance called the "Nine Lessons and Carols" concert every Christmas Eve. Which one is it?

Answer: King's College, Cambridge

The first order for the performance was written by E.W. Benson in 1880. Benson later became Archbishop of Canterbury.

7. In Anglican church music, what are the "decani" and "cantoris"?

Answer: Divisions of the choir into high-pitched and low-pitched voices

The decani are the singers with higher-pitched voices, and the cantoris are singers of the lower pitches. The groups may stand on different sides of the aisle in the church.

8. A common feature of church singing in several denominations is the antiphon. What is it?

Answer: A responsorial hymn, in which the congregation and a leader alternate sections

Antiphons are used in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, among others. The Psalms are a frequent subject of the style.

Answer: St. John Chrysostom

Rachmaninoff was born in Semyonovo, Russia. He and his wife, Natalia, left the country after the Revolution and lived in Sweden, then Denmark; eventually they moved to the United States, where they became citizens. Rachmaninoff composed a variety of concertos and other music, often used in film soundtracks. There is a German vodka named after him.

10. In the United States, prospective members of the National Catholic Youth Choir must belong to which one of the following school grade divisions?

Answer: 10th to 12th grades

The choir was founded in 2000. Its motto is "Spreading the Catholic Faith Through Great Music."

Source: Author neon000

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stuthehistoryguy before going online.
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