Librarian's Reviews

Lutheran-Hymnal.com  A monumental collection of on-line Lutheran hymnals, collected and sequenced by the Rev. Richard Jordan (rjordan@lutheran-hymnal.com). The hymnals include The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, Hymnal Supplement 98, the Lutheran Book of Worship, With One Voice, and a German Lutheran Hymnal. They're available in MIDI and MP3; texts are also provided. Perhaps most valuable are the Hymnal References, which provide hymnal indices, scriptural references, and a topical index. Since the lectionaries adopted by various denominations frequently are similar or identical, and since the liturgical year is rather much the same with a few variations, this resource is valuable to liturgy planners and church musicians alike. There is also a commercial aspect to this site, which offers downloadable hymn arrangements (country, folk, rock) and instrumental arrangements (organ, brass) and even MP3 files, available for a fee. The items for sale can be previewed. By the way, organists should appreciate the festive, Baroque, and Celtic arrangements; though the Celtic pieces are secular but traditional, they may work well for seasonal variety, processions, recessions, and the like. However, one should avoid using "Hag at the Churn" as a wedding processional.

Lutheran Folk Christmas  This site, developed by Richard Jordan (rjordan@lutheran-hymnal.com), is a pot of gold for those looking for MIDI versions of the hymns of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. There are two sets of hymns and carols, and lyrics are provided in English and, where possible, in the original German or Latin. The MIDI arrangements are copyrighted, so to use them for anything other than personal listening should be cleared with Mr. Jordan.

The Lutheran Hymnal (1941)  A selection of hymn texts from the 1941 hymnal. The selected texts are in English (39), German (28), and Latin (1). No tunes but valuable for background and research. 

Project Wittenberg  A powerful and ever-growing collection of information, including the hymn texts of Martin Luther, other Reformers, and Lutherans in general. The site offers many links to liturgical, theological, and hymn resources.  

Concordia Theological Seminary: Hymn Notes  An excellent Protestant hymn resource created by an outstanding group of Lutheran liturgists and musicians. The gist is more philosophical; however, there are seasonal hymn recommendations using The Lutheran Hymnal and the Lutheran Worshipbook. 

Oremus Hymnal  This site includes about 2,400 pages with an eventual goal of 5,000 pages. It includes music from 24 hymnals from the Episcopal Church and the world-wide Anglican Communion. It concentrates on public domain hymn texts, Scorch­® music scores, and MIDI files. It is, by far, one of the most interesting and complete collections of traditional church music for English-speaking traditions. It is not only practical but also scholarly. A truly noble effort. (kc-11/01)

The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts  The Fellowship is a professional agency of the United Methodist Church that serves as a resourcing organization to its members. It provides training on all aspects of worship from the Conference Level to the National Level. Nive section of links, too. (kc-11/01)

Choirmember.comListed as a site for church choir members by choir members. This site provides an interesting collection of hymn devotionals, choir jokes, articles, essays, hymn and anthem recommendations, and hymns in MIDI format. (kc-11/01)

The Electronic Hymnal  A work in progress, this site has collections of hymns, both traditional and in "the praise style". The on-line hymns are supported by devotions, interactive hymns, software, and a very informative message board. (kc-11/01)

Music (United Methodist Church)  The official music homepage for the General Board of Discipleship for the United Methodist Church. This page offers excellent links to UMC articles on music, liturgy, lectionary aids, church seasons, etc. Particularly valuable are the articles on copyright and licensing, networking with other church musicians, resources and links to related sites. (kc-11/01)

Worship: Calendar and Holiday Links  -- A product of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, this site provides links to several other Web sites regarding the lectionary, the liturgical calendar, Christian symbols in art and architecture, and weekly lections. There are other valuable links to lectionary preaching and liturgical music. (kc-11/01)

The Lectionary Page (Episcopal)  The Lectionary Page provides a comprehensive calendar of lections according to the Episcopal lectionary, which bears much in common with the Revised Common Lectionary used by Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, as well as other Protestant denominations and even some Baptists. It also bears much in common with the Roman Catholic lectionary. By clicking on the day on the calendar, you'll be taken to the proper lections for that day. (kc-11/01)

The Lectionary Choral Anthem Project  A wonderful resource for recommendations of anthems to accompany the lectionary readings for every given Sunday and major holy day of the year. The project is operated by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. The appointed lections follow the Roman Catholic schedule, so liturgical planners of other denominations may find a few slight differences. This is certainly one of the most valuable resources on the Internet for coordinating the proper readings with the appropriate anthems. (kc-11/01)

The Liturgical Singer  An excellent resource for those who plan, prepare and present liturgical music, following the lectionary and liturgical calendar. Though designed specifically for musicians participating in the Roman Catholic liturgy, the practical material and suggestions relating to vocal training, choral conducting, resources, etc., are valuable to those of any denomination. The Web page's obvious purpose is to offer a subscription to the print periodical; however, there is plenty of useful information on the page itself. (kc-11/01)

Treasury of Latin Prayers: Theasaurus Precum Latinarum  A well-constructed collection of traditional (and not-so-traditional) Latin prayers, canticles, hymns, and rituals and their English translations. A ripe resource for composers and teachers. The site also includes liturgical calendars, creeds, litanies, indices, an on-line Latin dictionary, and a host of links to similar and related sites. A wounderful resource for choral conductors who need translations of the Latin they're singing.. (kc-11/01)

Worship Team: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  The Worship Team homepage leads to several worthwhile links to ELCA resources. Click on "Music Helps" and you'll find a lot of valuable information on liturgical music and hymnody. Under the Q&A section, composers will find instructions for creating appropriate Psalm tones and other elements of service music. "Seasonal Helps" and other links help with liturgical planning. (kc-11/01)

Music for Liturgy by Peter Grant  A composer in New South Wales, Australia, Peter Grant offers his collection of liturgical music in the Roman Catholic tradition for listening (MIDI or PC sound) and for sheet music (PDF). The site also has valuable links to other Christian music sites. (kc-10/01)

Jubilate Domino  A homepage for free liturgical music and hymns. The music apparently comes from composers and church musicians in the United States, Australia, Ireland, and other English-speaking countries. The site includes a nice selection of contemporary liturgical music and new hymns, mostly in the Roman Catholic tradition but which can be useful in other traditions, too. Sheet music can be downloaded, and there are MIDI and MP3 files which may be downloaded, too. It's all free, but please honor the copyright requirements. (kc-10/01)

Hymns from the Liturgical Tradition of the Orthodox Christian Church Music in QuickTime and Real Audio formats for use in the Divine Liturgy and in other services for various occasions. The site is still under construction but offers a range of Orthodox music for listening. The ancient Byzantine chants are included. (kc-10/01)

CanticaNOVA Publications On-line  A resource for "traditional music ... for the contemporary church," CanticaNOVA provides an on-line catalogue for church music, both instrumental and choral. Its premise is to provide new music for traditional Roman Catholic liturgical music, which is also a valuable resource for liturgical Protestant use as well. Though it is a commercial site, CanticaNOVA offers short essays on the use of music in liturgical settings and includes a useful section on liturgical planning. Understand that you will not find "pop-style" songs here; but you will find some quality contemporary music of a more traditional style. They also invite composers of their ilk to submit compositions for publication consideration, but their standards are very exacting. (kc-10/01)

Eastern Catholic Liturgical Music (MIDI)  This is a stunningly attractive Website owned by Donald A. Wyckoff that explores the beautiful and mystical music of the Eastern Catholic Churches. These churches, which include the Byzantine , Ukrainian , Melkite, Armenian , Maronite , and Romanian Syro-Malankara ,Syro-Malabar, and Chaldean Catholic traditions. This site not only explores the hymnody, chants, and liturgical music of these various traditions, but it also includes some information about sacred rites. There also also a number of links to take you to related sites, as well. A monumental accomplishment. (kc-10/01)

Traditional Catholic MIDI Files  The venerable St. Basil's Hymnal is the basis for this collection of MIDI hymns in both English and Latin. St. Basil's Hymnal was first published in the 19th century was was the standard hymnal for generations of English-speaking Roman Catholics. Even though many new songs and hymns have been added to this MIDI collection, the old pietistic Marian hymns and paeans to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Conception. Here you'll find the wonderful old hymns that were once the mainstays of the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, even from the once popular but now rare extraliturgical ceremony, the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Donald A Wyckoff has done an excellent job compiling the hymns and converting them to MIDI format for your personal listening enjoyment. (kc-10/01)

Musical Instruments in Church Services: A Treatise from The Catholic Encyclopedia (1911).  A brief history of the use of musical instruments in liturgical settings, this essay from the 1911 edition of The Catholic Encyclopedia, offers a fascinating interpretation of official policy toward organs and other instruments in the Divine Liturgy. The treatise quotes from Gregory XVI, Pius IX and Pius X and their interpretations of the role of accompaniment. The essayist recognizes Gregorian chant sung by the unaccompanied human voice as the standard against which all liturgical music is compared, at least until 1911.

Music of the Mass: A Treatise from The Catholic Encyclopedia (1911) This lengthy and interesting essay considers what was appropriate to be sung in the Divine Liturgy in Roman Catholic churches in the early 20th century. The material gives much background information on the purposes and approved execution of both the "ordinary" of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria in excelsis, Credo, Sanctus & Benedictus qui venit, and Agnus Dei) and the "proper" texts of the Mass (Introit, Gradual, Alleluia Verse, Sequence, Tract, Offertory, and Communion). Its chief value is mostly historical, but it also explains a lot of the detail of how and why the variable (proper) elements of the Mass developed. (kc-10/01)

Ecclesiastical Music: A Treatise from the Catholic Encyclopedia (1911)  An interesting and somewhat useful historical guide to what was officially permitted and what was specifically forbidden in Roman Catholic liturgical music in the early part of the 20th century. The treatise appears to be an apologia for the a document by Pope Pius X in 1903, "Motu proprio," which appears to be a reaction against florid, multi-movement settings of the Mass and canticles by J. S. Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and other "secular" composers. Pius X could never have accepted Vatican II and the reforms, revisions, and vernacularizations which have been fomented since then. The treatise, however, does allow for a little nationalistic or folk music to flavor the music of Divine Liturgy, but it tries hard to promote plainchant as the norm. It is certainly valuable to church musicians for its historical content and philosophy, but unless you're in a convent or monastery, it's hardly applicable to most church music today. It's from the very informative New Advent Web site, which has lots more interesting material and links.