This book of lectures examines their work and craft from a historical perspective through current practices.
Paul Westermeyer's position as clergyman, musician, historian, and musicologist makes him uniquely qualified to give the reader a bird's eye view of the church musicians' vocation with all of its challenges and joys.
1. The Call to a People, its Musicians, and Everybody Else
A People
Music
Musicians
The Whole Communit
The Vocation of the Clergy
The Vocation of the Church Musician
2. The Craft of the Church Musician: Th e Congregation
General Considerations
Aspects of Congregational Song
Specifi c Musical Responsibilities
3. The Craft of the Church Musician: The Choir
Aspects of Choral Song 27
Specific Musical Responsibilities
General Considerations
4. Historical Perspectives
“You Have to Sing”
The Psalms and Colossians 3:16
Tertullian and Laodicaea
Hymnody
Hymns and Beyond
Calvinists
Anglicans
Zwinglians, Anabaptists, English Baptists, Quakers
Wesleyans
Black Spirituals
The Twentieth Century
Crossing Boundaries and Repertoires
Education
5. Challenges We Face
Oratorio
Musical Syntax
Iconoclasm
Music’s Intent
Music, Theology, and the Life of the Church
Justice
In Relation to the Church Musician
Bibliography
Index