History of Sacred Music
This ten week course provides a survey of the historical role of music in worship from its roots in the Old Testament to the present day, exploring landmark repertoire within the framework of turning-points in ecclesiastical history. While the class will focus primarily on Christian music in the western world, cross-cultural influences will also be explored. Each week, students will receive a lecture (approximately one hour in length) and have the opportunity to participate in a live online study session.
Required text: Christian Music: A Global History by Tim Dowley. Recommended supplemental texts: Te Deum: The Church and Music by Paul Westermeyer and Catholic Music Through the Ages by Edward Schaefer.
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Taught by Emily Lapisardi
This course is part of our Professional Certification Programs. To learn more about them, click on the button below.
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History of Sacred Music – Syllabus
WEEK 1: Music in the Old Testament and the Jewish Tradition
WEEK 2: Music in the New Testament and the First Centuries of Christianity
WEEK 3: The Development of Gregorian Chant
WEEK 4: Polyphony: Inception to Palestrina
WEEK 5: Renaissance, Reformation, & Counterreformation | Midterm Exam
WEEK 6: The Development of Hymnody
WEEK 7: Baroque Sacred Music & Secular Influence (Bach/Handel/Vivaldi)
WEEK 8: Eighteenth & Nineteenth Century Developments, the Cecilian Movement
WEEK 9: Sacred Music in North America: Adoption and Acculturation
WEEK 10: Sacred Music Today | Final Exam
