The role of music and musicians in current English parish church worship : the attitudes of clergy and organists
One of the many issues currently confronting the Church of England is the role of music in worship. It is not a new debate, but has been brought into sharper focus in recent years in the wake of liturgical change. After examining the fundamental issues of the debate, the author considers them in the context of the present day. Other current matters of concern will also be discussed. The effects of liturgical change are then considered. The discussion is then widened to include: - a review of current hymnals and psalters; - a survey of the courses and qualifications in church music available in Great Britain; - three case studies demonstrating the problems that can arise when clergy and church musicians are in conflict; - a review of surveys in church music undertaken since 1950. The main work comprises a detailed survey by questionnaire to the priest-in-charge and organist at almost half the churches in a large diocese (that of Oxford). This yields an overall picture of: - respondents' personal backgrounds and general attitudes; - respondents' perceptions, both objective and subjective, of the situation at their church, and of each other. From these varied strands are drawn certain conclusions for improving
Rees, Robin Lodowick Douglas
Philosophy
The role of music and musicians in current English parish church worship : the attitudes of clergy and organists. One of the many issues currently confronting the Church of England is the role of music in worship. It is not a new debate, but has been brought into sharper focus in recent years in the wake of liturgical change. After examining the fundamental issues of the debate, the author considers them in the context of the present day. Other current matters of concern will also be discussed. The effects of liturgical change are then considered. The discussion is then widened to include: - a review of current hymnals and psalters; - a survey of the courses and qualifications in church music available in Great Britain; - three case studies demonstrating the problems that can arise when clergy and church musicians are in conflict; - a review of surveys in church music undertaken since 1950. The main work comprises a detailed survey by questionnaire to the priest-in-charge and organist at almost half the churches in a large diocese (that of Oxford). This yields an overall picture of: - respondents' personal backgrounds and general attitudes; - respondents' perceptions, both objective and subjective, of the situation at their church, and of each other. From these varied strands are drawn certain conclusions for improving
role music current english_parish church worship attitude clergy many issue currently confront church_england role music worship new debate bring sharp focus wake liturgical change examine fundamental_issue debate author considers context current matter_concern also_discuss effect liturgical change consider discussion widen include review_current survey course qualification church music available great_britain three_case_study demonstrate problem_arise clergy church musician conflict review survey church music undertaken since main work comprises detail_survey questionnaire priest charge church large diocese oxford yield overall_picture respondent personal background general attitude respondent perception objective subjective situation church other varied strand draw certain conclusion improve