History of Sacred Music
“History of Sacred Music" is a ten-week course which will be taught by Emily Lapisardi. 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.
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