Plural of antiphon; a short sung or chanted phrase, typically from scripture, that is sung before and after a psalm or canticle in religious services.
From Greek 'anti' (opposite/responding) + 'phone' (sound/voice). The term literally means 'opposite voices' because antiphons were originally sung responsively by two choirs alternating verses.
Antiphons are an ancient musical tradition where two church choirs sing back and forth—this call-and-response pattern inspired everything from African-American spirituals to modern hip-hop vocal exchanges!
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