Holden Village Vespers ’23: (Re)Sounding a Transforming Community
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
I find the article interesting as well as very informative and well-written. It should definitely be published. It is a bit far outside my main interests, but as a composer, Lutheran theologian, and Church Historian, focusing on (medieval) liturgy and ritual, it resonated well with my general interests and I found it sound in its argumentation. I have a few tiny critical remarks:
1/ In line 347/48, the word "punctuate" seems strange to me in the description of psalm tone recitation, although I do (think that I) understand the intended meaning. I wonder if a more appropriate word could be found?
2/ In line 548, I would like to hear more about how Hagar was incorporated into the Magnificat, a quotation might be helpful here.
Also there seems to be a slightly inexact phrase at line 316: Maria sings the Magnificat "upon learning she is going to bear God's child." It's not wrong, of course, but the Magnificat actually comes only as a response to Elizabeth's praise of Maria as the bearer of God's child (Luke 1:42-45).
Two small errors: 1/ "as" seems to be missing in line 247 ("as" a dialogic hermeneutic). 2/ "of" seems to be missing in line 453 (a variety "of" proposed changes.
Author Response
My thanks the reviewer for providing supportive comments and a few recommendations for minor edits. I made each of the changes suggested, and appreciate the nudge to clarify the incorporation of Hagar, as well as more accurately contextualize the Magnificat.
Reviewer 2 Report
This is a fine paper. Two small editorial notes and then a comment:
line 144: "hundreds of majority musicians"
line 224: "while the liturgies"
The paper accomplishes what you set out to do, a largely descriptive task. I would like to have seen a stronger conclusion a) that might point readers to engage such reflection in their own contexts, and b) that more critically examines the inability of Holden to develop a more diverse and inclusive writing team--though perhaps the testing will come with time as a diverse community gathers each year at Holden.
Author Response
My thanks to the reviewer for these suggestions. I altered the paper to provide a stronger conclusion, particularly to encourage congregations to engage in reflection around their own values and utilization of resources. I, too, wonder how Holden might encourage diverse composers to contribute to local repertoires, and I intend to maintain my relationship to the Village in part to offer suggestions for future creative endeavors.
