Welcome to a new series of workshops dedicated to hymns. In each session, Carol will look at a specific body of hymns, offering tools to revitalize and reconnect with this marvelous music.
Yet, hymnals have disappeared from the pews in many churches. Yes, some churches still have them, and others still sing traditional hymns, but with words displayed on electronic screens. Others have opted to replace hymns with other kinds of music. Have we simply become more “modern” or has something irreplaceable been lost along the way?
Hymns are not just melodies with words. In fact, they stretch back through the entire heritage of our Christian worship; rather, they convey rich theological insights and reflect a lively history of music in every age, place, and language where the Church has taken root.
Hymnals are also fantastic tools for teaching. Most of us have hymnbooks on our shelves, but how often do we pull them down and use them? In these workshops, we will learn how hymns teach language, literature, and theology. They teach geography and math. And they teach children to be musical.
Professor Carol will conduct this new series of workshops throughout the coming year and cover hymns of various eras, locales, and styles. The discussions will include the Great English Hymn Tradition, the chorales of J.S. Bach, medieval chant, and the influences of Gospel music and Spirituals.
She will begin with a repertoire of hymns that are close to many of our hearts!
Blessed Assurance: A Workshop on 19th-Century American Hymns
Tuesday, August 4, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Webster, The Village Choir (1847)Each 1-hour session will be conducted in a webinar format. The sessions will be recorded so that registrants will still have access to the recorded webinars at a time that fits their schedules.