Music as Ritual: A Hotline to the Collective Conscious, Randall collins’s theoRy of inteRaction Ritual chains is used to analyze the emotional eneRgy and connection to the collective that comes with music Rituals. afRican ameRican spiRituals exemplify the impoRtance of music to the collective and to the individual. they connected slaves to each otheR and allowed them to Reconstitute a cultuRal identity using chRistian imageRy as a common language. musical venues such as the “Ring shout” ReaffiRmed theiR value as individuals

doi:10.4324/9781315633374-15

Chapter

Music as Ritual: A Hotline to the Collective Conscious, Randall collins’s theoRy of inteRaction Ritual chains is used to analyze the emotional eneRgy and connection to the collective that comes with music Rituals. afRican ameRican spiRituals exemplify the impoRtance of music to the collective and to the individual. they connected slaves to each otheR and allowed them to Reconstitute a cultuRal identity using chRistian imageRy as a common language. musical venues such as the “Ring shout” ReaffiRmed theiR value as individuals

Chapter

Music as Ritual: A Hotline to the Collective Conscious, Randall collins’s theoRy of inteRaction Ritual chains is used to analyze the emotional eneRgy and connection to the collective that comes with music Rituals. afRican ameRican spiRituals exemplify the impoRtance of music to the collective and to the individual. they connected slaves to each otheR and allowed them to Reconstitute a cultuRal identity using chRistian imageRy as a common language. musical venues such as the “Ring shout” ReaffiRmed theiR value as individuals

ABSTRACT

During the past century, there have been many studies on the role of music in American society, but little or no continuity. In Europe, music is an established area of sociological inquiry, with culture and music as commodities being the primary foci. Here I argue that music is more intimate to our daily lives. It can be commercial, and it can reflect our cultural values, but it does more. It is part of a social ritual that creates our social world and connects us to the collective. Early sociologist Emile Durkheim identified the collective consciousness as a sort of group mind-an experience of being “in sync” with others in your group, such as happens with fans at a football game.