Research Guides: Christian Music: Historical Guides

Historical Guides

The Music of Angels: A Listener's Guide to Sacred Music from Chant to Christian Rock.
By Patrick Kavanaugh.
Chicago: Loyola Press, 1999.
In this short, easy-to-read history and guide, Kavanaugh examines the sacred Christian music of Western civilization, focusing on the interconnections among genres. His book is divided into three main chronological sections: up to 1600, 1600-1900, and 1900-present. Each chapter contains "Quick Takes," that is, short essays on recommended recordings and biographical summaries of important figures from each period.
The online version is available on the Internet Archive, a trusted source, but one for which it is necessary to create a free account and login.
Te Deum, the Church and Music: A Textbook, a Reference, a History, an Essay.
By Paul Westermeyer.
Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1998.
A theological and historical introduction to the use of music in Christian worship.
The online version is available on the Internet Archive, a trusted source, but one for which it is necessary to create a free account and login.
The New Oxford History of Music.
Various editors.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1964-1990.
This ten volume collection traces the history of music from ancient times to the 1960s. It includes many articles dealing with church music.
v. 1. Ancient and oriental music;
v. 2. The Early Middle Ages to 1300;
v. 3. Ars nova and the Renaissance, 1300-1540;
v. 4. The age of Humanism, 1540-1630;
v. 5. Opera and Church music, 1630-1750;
v. 6. Concert music, 1630-1750;
v. 7. The age of Enlightenment, 1745-1790;
v. 8. The age of Beethoven, 1790-1830;
v. 9. Romanticism, 1830-1890;
v. 10. The modern age, 1890-1960.
An Introduction to Gregorian Chant.
By Richard L. Crocker.
New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2000.
This book explains the origins of Gregorian chant and the ways it is used in modern Catholic liturgy. Accompanied by a CD that contains 26 complete chants.
From Sacred Song to Ritual Music: Twentieth-Century Understandings of Roman Catholic Worship Music.
By Jan Michael Joncas.
Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1997.
A guide to changes in musical theory and practice within the Catholic Church.
The online version is available on the Internet Archive, a trusted source, but one for which it is necessary to create a free account and login.
The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music.
By Barry Alfonso.
New York: Billboard Books, 2002.
Articles on contemporary Christian musicians as well as particular musical styles including gospel, rock, punk, heavy metal, pop, R&B, swing, country, and Latino.
Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music.
By Mark Allan Powell.
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2002.
This work profiles over 1900 Christian musicians, songwriters and producers, in addition to secular artists whose faith has influenced their music, dating from the 1960s to the present day. Also provides band member lists, complete discographies, lists of awards, artist website addresses, biographies of the artists, and reviews of the work they have produced.