Songs of Praise

On any given weekend in Maryland in every corner of our state, people come together in fellowship to offer thanks and praise. Music is an integral and necessary part of these services, and draws from some of the deepest and beloved strands of our traditions. This music takes many forms and reflects the histories of Maryland ’s diverse religions and peoples and our shared need to give voice to our spirit. These musical traditions help our religious communities continue to thrive. Our sacred music reflects the passion, values, and aspirations of Marylanders, and fuels both collective solidarity and individual growth.

Nowhere is this truer than among Maryland’s African Americans where music has been a comfort, an inspiration, a tool for collective action, and a link from the past to the future, nurturing and sustaining families and communities . The music of Maryland’s black churches counts as one of our most important and well-developed forms of vernacular culture.

Today’s popular Gospel music developed out of multiple strands of devotion and music-making going back to the early 19 th century. Remarkably, in Maryland one of those earlier strands continues to this day. These “Singing and Praying Bands” continue lively and potent musical worship that emerged in 19 th century Methodist Camp Meetings. Folklorist Jonathan David, author of the excellent Together Let us Sweetly Live explores this neglected tradition; these groups are a regional variation of the larger ring shout tradition. Many scholars consider this to have been the most important religious service of enslaved Africans and their African-American descendants in North America in the 19th century.

The bands of Maryland grew out of Methodist prayer meetings. In some areas, these groups had their start in antebellum times in brush arbors where the enslaved held secret religious services. At camp meetings, prayer groups from many neighboring churches--referring to themselves as "Singing and Praying Bands"-- met and sang and prayed.

Similarly, today’s Bands of up to 30 or 40 members congregate at the altar, sing “give out” call and response hymns forming a circle to sing “straight” spirituals, and then start to move counterclockwise, the direction of much West African festival movement. The Bands finish by joyously marching around the church or camp meeting tent . The current center of this Maryland tradition is found in Anne Arundel County . Though fewer Bands now exist, this long-standing tradition is a special and unique part of our culture.

Further south in Calvert County Maryland, Elmer Mackall helped bridge older traditions with newer styles of Gospel worship. The “Piano Man,” as he was called, grew up in a family steeped in 19 th century spirituals and Singing and Praying traditions, and learned from his grandmother Rosie who lived to be 112. A fixture in churches throughout the region, Mr. Mackall had a great expressive voice, and a unique and infectious style.

1 | 2