LibGuides: Sacred Music and Hymnology: Essential Resources

Basic Sources

Music Reference and Research Materials by Vincent H. Duckles; Michael A. Keller; Ida Reed
Call Number: ML113 D83M81997
Located in MPAL Reference and on the shelves at MPAL
Church and Worship Music in the United States by James Michael Floyd; Avery T. Sharp
Call Number: ML128.C54 S53 2017
Located in MPAL Reference
Spirituals : a multidisciplinary bibliography for research and performance by Abromeit, Kathleen A.
Call Number: ML3556 .A27S6 2015
Located in MPAL Reference
Encyclopedia of Religion in America by Charles H. Lippy (Editor); Peter W. Williams (Editor)
Available online. Requires log-in when off-campus
Historical Dictionary of Sacred Music by Joseph P. Swain
Call Number: ML102.C5 S93H5 2016
Located in MPAL Reference
Choral Music by Avery T. Sharp; James Michael Floyd
Call Number: ML128.C48 S53C4 2011
Located in MPAL Reference
The Oxford Handbook of Music and World Christianities by Suzel Ana Reily (Editor); Jonathan M. Dueck (Editor)
Call Number: ML3000 .O946 2016
Bibliographical Handbook of American Music by Donald W. Krummel
Call Number: ML120.U5 K78
Located in MPAL Reference and on the shelves at MPAL and the Main Library
The Forms and Orders of Western Liturgy from the Tenth to the Eighteenth Century by John Harper
Call Number: 264.02009 H232F
Located at the Main Library
A Musician's Guide to Church Music by John Ferguson; Joy E. Lawrence
Call Number: 783.026 L437M
Church Music by Richard C. Von Ende
Call Number: ML128.C54 V66
Located at Oak Street

Online Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Oxford Music Online

Reference Tools for Hymnology

Analecta hymnica medii aevi
Call Number: MPAL Reference BV468 A52, vols.1-55 (non-circulating)
This 55-volume resource contains the authoritative texts of hundreds of medieval hymns. Analecta Hymnica is available online via HathiTrust or at MPAL in the reference collection.
A Dictionary of Hymnology: Setting forth the Origin and History of Christian Hymns of all Ages and Nations; Vol. 1 and 2 by John Julian, D.D.
Call Number: MPAL Reference BV 305 J81957 (non-circulating) and online
This Dover edition is an unabridged republication of the second and last edition, which appeared in a single volume in 1907. A classic resource for discovering information on hymns’ origins, biographical details about composers, and explorations of the development of hymnody in multiple countries and denominations. Available in MPAL Reference or as an e-book via HathiTrust.
Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology (online) by J.R. Watson and Emma Hornby, editors
Containing over 2 million words, the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology was the result of 10 years of research at the Universities of Durham and Bristol. CDH set out to the replacement and extension of the canonical Dictionary of Hymnology compiled by John Julian (see above).
The Hymnal 1982 Companion; Vol. 1-4 by Raymond F. Glover
Call Number: MPAL Reference ML 3166 H95 (Non-circulating)
This four-volume reference work serves as a guide to the history and criticism of English hymns, providing insight into Anglican denominational hymnody, such as that of the Episcopal church.
Hymnal companion to Worship by Marilyn Kay Stulken and Catherine Salika
Call Number: MPAL Reference M2119 W6781986Sup. (non-circulating)
The first companion ever produced for an American Catholic hymnal.
Musical Resources for the Revised Common Lectionary by Arthur Wenk
Call Number: ML128.P7 W46
Indexes hymns by Scripture references. Also includes many gospel hymns.
Hymn and Scripture Selection Guide by Donald Spencer
Call Number: BV312 S63
Lists hymns, choral music, and organ music appropriate for every Sunday of the three-year lectionary cycle. Additionally, it contains Scriptural indices of hymns tunes and anthems. It is keyed to the Anglican Church of Canada and contains hymns that may not be found in other hymnals.