Psalms as Performance Workshop 2024

The Book of Psalms is often referred to as the Prayer-book of the Bible. This workshop will explore whether prayer through the psalms is more fully expressed when embodied in performance. Guided by the musical expertise of Matt Jacoby (Sons of Korah) and Biblical Performance Criticism scholar Jeanette Mathews, we will focus on several different prayer genres including Lament, Thanksgiving, Praise, Petition, Intercession and Invective. We will investigate the contribution that performance (e.g. music, movement, gesture) makes to meaning. We will note explicit and implicit markers of performance in the psalms and the contribution this makes to their emotional intensity. We will explore how these ancient prayers can be newly enacted to nourish faith in the midst of all of life’s experiences. This will also be demonstrated by the Sons of Korah in concert on that evening, and the following Monday at the Australian National Prayer Breakfast in Parliament House, Canberra. Mr David Smith MP and Senator Matt O’Sullivan, co-chairs of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, would like to extend a warm welcome for you to join us all at what promises to be a very special Prayer Breakfast. Everyone is welcome!

Further information re Workshop: Dr Jeanette Mathews | jmathews@csu.edu.au | 0262 726 249