The voice alone constitutes the most important genre and instrument in the history of music. Its development can be examined from the 13th century, from secular religious music, Renaissance motets, early Baroque oratorios, classical opera, German Lied to jazz music in America. Vocal music is probably considered the oldest and youngest form of music. Music that dates back to the medieval period is still sung today along with new popular musical genres. Vocal music is considered to dominate the early part of history given that it began with church music. At this time, the Church played a major role in society as a whole. Since society was church-based, most music was sacred. This meant that the text was based on the Bible and had Christ as its main theme. The text was another reason why vocal music was much more important, because you could actually tell what was being performed through the music. It was not very common to use instruments in medieval times. However, they used a few instruments such as the lyre, kithara and aulos. Singing was part of everyone's daily life in medieval times. Music was sung eight hours a day in preparation for mass, called Gregorian chant. Gregorian chant is monophonic religious music composed primarily of Latin texts intended for use in the Roman Catholic Church. This song was also considered a "plainsong" because it was mainly sung in unison, and almost always without accompaniment or instruments. The most important song sung was for mass. It was the most important religious service that was celebrated every day at the monastery. The...... middle of paper...... Era. " Georgia Regents University, nd Web. Ongaro, Giulio Maria. and David Brinkman. Renaissance Music. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2003. Print. Perkins, Leeman L. Music in the Renaissance Era New York, NY : WW Norton &, 1999. Print. Stein, Jack M. “Problems and Combination of Poem and Music in Gluck's German Lied”. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard UP, 1971. 14+ Print. , Craig M. and Bryan R. Simms "Music in the Monastery and Convent." in Western Civilization Vol. The Later Swing Era, 1942-1955 Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2004. Print. Buelow, George J. A History of Baroque Music Bloomington, IN: Indiana UP, 2004. Print...