Dr. Jeffrey Carter

Music 123C

Phone 285.3599

Home 741.0828

jcarter2@bsu.edu

www.jeffreycarter.us

1. Description: The workshop will focus on a study of hymn texts and tunes in various styles and reflect diverse cultural, ethnic, and theological identities. Topics include how to use reference sources, hymn indices, the continuum of hymnody as part of the history of the church and the Western musical tradition, and the direction of contemporary hymnody. Prerequisites: one year of music theory.

2. Purpose: This course entails:
a) basic exposure to aesthetics of hymnody, esp. on matching of text and tune
b) gaining an appreciation for the diverse functions of hymnody in Christian life
c) acquiring an understanding of the history of Christian hymnody
d) acquiring an understanding of the theology of hymn texts and characteristics of hymn tunes
e) developing competence in a leader's use of a hymnal, its indices, and hymnal handbook(s)
f) singing many hymns from various traditions and styles

3. Attendance. This is one week only. Attend every minute of every session.

4. Grading. You may construct the grade you wish to earn by observing the attendance policy stated above; by being punctual at class sessions; by participating fully in all seminar sessions; and by completing written work as required.

Students will complete five brief written reviews of hymn tunes and texts and submit them by the beginning of class on Friday.
Students will write a hymn tune and corresponding hymn text of at least two verses, using guidelines found at www.thehymnsociety.org.
Students will prepare a hymn festival project and provide it by email to jcarter2@bsu.edu by Monday, June 23, at 8.30 a.m.
Students will be assigned various other written or participatory activities during the week.

Since grading is very nebulous in these seminar settings, expect to do your very best work at all times in order to receive the highest possible marks.

Instructions for hymn festival project:

Choose a topic or theme for your hymn festival such as a specific topic, a specific person or team of author/composer, a festival appropriate to some feast in the church calendar, hymns from a certain country or historical period or tradition.
Include eight to ten songs toinclude in a hymn festival, with a judicious selection of "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" [choruses]. These can be chosen from any congregational sources; you are not limited to any single source, but may consult other hymnals, psalters, and chorus books.
It may be appropriate to substitute a choral selection or a vocal solo for one of the ten songs. Performance suggestions about antiphonal singing, use of a hymn anthem/concertato, and instrumental preludes or alternate hymn accompaniments are desirable. Reasonable/practical suggestions for the use of other instruments beyond organ/piano are welcome.
You must prepare the complete program in a word-processing program, with commentary or introductory notes, and any related resources; this will involve use of hymnal handbooks [be sure to identify hymnals and hymnal handbooks]. Plan your festival to be produced at a local church, perhaps in an evening service; therefore include opening/closing prayers, a scripture reading, or another reading from a creed, etc., in your outline.
The first page of your write-up should be a one-page outline of the entire festival. The remaining five or so pages would contain the commentary and research notes, or any material that would be spoken or printed about the songs for the event (but do not type up complete Scripture readings).
Copies of familiar song texts and tunes do not need to be attached, but do attach copies of songs which are not found in ordinary hymnals or other readily-available congregational songbooks.
The evaluation will focus on the following items: (a) order of the festival/service; (b) choice of psalms & hymns & choruses; (c) other musical features; and (d) commentaries, notes, w/bibliography.

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