Christian music

{{Short description|Music expressing Christian life and faith}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2008}}
{{Christian culture}}

'''Christian music''' is [[music]] that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding [[Christianity|Christian]] life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include [[praise]], [[worship]], [[penitence]] and [[lament]], and its forms vary widely around the world. [[Church music]], [[hymn]]als, [[gospel music|gospel]] and [[worship music|worship]] music are a part of [[Christian media]] and also include [[contemporary Christian music]] which itself supports numerous Christian styles of music, including [[Christian hip hop|hip hop]], [[Christian rock|rock]], [[Contemporary worship music|contemporary worship]] and [[urban contemporary gospel]].

Like other forms of music the creation, performance, significance and even the definition of Christian music varies according to culture and social context. Christian music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes or with a positive message as an entertainment product for the marketplace. 
{{Christianity|expanded=hide}}

== Worship services ==
{{Main|Church music}}

[[File:Kirchenchor.gif|thumbnail|upright=0.8|left|A church [[choir]] singing]]

Among the most prevalent uses of Christian music are in church worship or other gatherings. Most Christian music involves singing, whether by the whole congregation (assembly), or by a specialized subgroup—such as a soloist, duet, trio, quartet, madrigal, [[choir]], or [[Contemporary worship#Worship band|worship band]]— [[responsory|or both]]. It is frequently accompanied by instruments, but some denominations such as some [[Exclusive Brethren]], the [[Churches of Christ]], the [[Primitive Baptists]] and the [[Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)|Free Church of Scotland]] prefer unaccompanied or ''[[a cappella]]'' singing. Other denominations such as [[Baptists]], [[Methodism|Methodists]], and [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]] sing alongside some form on accompaniments. Some groups, such as the [[Bruderhof Communities|Bruderhof]], sing songs both with religious and non-religious meanings and words.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/bruderhof|title=Bruderhof Communities|website=SoundCloud|language=en|access-date=2018-05-31}}</ref> For them, the act of singing is important. One of the earliest forms of worship music in the church was the [[Gregorian chant]]. [[Pope Gregory I]], while not the inventor of chant, was acknowledged as the first person to order such music in the church, hinting the name "Gregorian" chant. The chant reform took place around 590–604 CE (reign of Pope Gregory I) (Kamien, pg. 65–67). The Gregorian chant was known for its very [[monophony|monophonic]] sound. Believing that complexity had a tendency to create [[cacophony]], which ruined the music, Gregory I kept things very simple with the chant.<ref>[[Roger Kamien|Kamien, Roger]]. Music: An Appreciation. 9th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print.</ref>

=== Instrumental accompaniment ===
[[File:Ninth Symphony original.png|thumb|A page (leaf 12 [[recto]]) from Beethoven's manuscript. Catholic monks developed the first forms of modern Western musical notation in order to standardize liturgy throughout the worldwide church,<ref name="Hall100">Hall, p. 100.</ref> and an enormous body of religious music has been composed for it through the ages. This led directly to the emergence and development of European classical music, and its many derivatives. The [[Baroque]] style, which encompassed music, art, and architecture, was particularly encouraged by the post-Reformation Catholic Church as such forms offered a means of religious expression that was stirring and emotional, intended to stimulate religious fervor.<ref name="Murray45">Murray, p. 45.</ref>]]
In the West, the majority of Christian denominations use instruments such as an organ, piano, electronic keyboard, guitar, or other accompaniment, and occasionally by a band or orchestra, to accompany the singing. But some churches have historically not used instruments, citing their absence from the New Testament. During the last century or so several of these groups have revised this stance.

The singing of the [[Eastern Orthodox]] is also generally unaccompanied, though in the United States organs are sometimes used as a result of Western influence.

=== Instrumental music ===

Some worship music may be unsung, simply instrumental. During the [[Baroque]] period in Europe, the [[chorale prelude]] (for organ) was widely used, generally composed by using a popular hymn tune thematically, and a wide corpus of other solo organ music began to develop across Europe. Some of the most well-known exponents of such organ compositions include [[Johann Sebastian Bach]], [[Dieterich Buxtehude]], [[George Frideric Handel]], [[François Couperin]], [[César Franck]] and [[Charles-Marie Widor]] to name a few. Up to the present time, various composers have written instrumental (often [[organ (music)|organ]]) music as acts of worship, including well known organ repertoire by composers like [[Olivier Messiaen]], [[Louis Vierne]], [[Maurice Duruflé]], and [[Jean Langlais]].

The [[church sonata]] (for orchestra and chamber group) and other sacred instrumental musical forms also developed from the [[Baroque]] period onwards.

== Types of Christian music ==

=== Chants===
A chant is the iterative speaking or [[singing]] of [[word]]s or [[sound]]s, often primarily on one or two main [[pitch (music)|pitch]]es called [[reciting tone]]s.  Chants may range from a simple [[melody]] involving a limited set of [[note (music)|note]]s to highly complex musical structures, often including a great deal of [[Repetition (music)|repetition]] of musical subphrases, such as Great Responsories and [[Offertory|Offertories]] of [[Gregorian chant]].  Chant may be considered speech, music, or a heightened or stylized form of speech. In the later [[Middle Ages]] some religious chant evolved into song (forming one of the roots of later Western music).<ref>{{cite book |last=Stolba |first=K. Marie |year=1994 |title=The Development of Western Music: A History |edition=2nd |publisher=[[McGraw Hill]] |isbn=9780697293794 |pages=734 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W8UZAQAAIAAJ}}</ref>

Mostly used in Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox churches. Some examples of chants are:
*[[Ambrosian chant]]
*[[Anglican chant]]
*[[Armenian chant]]
*[[Celtic chant]]
*[[Ethiopian chant]]
*[[Galician chant]]
*[[Gregorian chant]]
*[[Kievan chant]]
*[[Mozarabic chant]]
*[[Old Roman chant]]
*[[Syriac chant]]

=== Metrical Psalters===
A metrical psalter is a kind of Bible translation: a book containing a metrical translation of all or part of the Book of Psalms in vernacular poetry, meant to be sung as hymns in a church. Some metrical psalters include melodies or even harmonisations. The composition of metrical psalters was a large enterprise of the Protestant Reformation, especially in its Calvinist manifestation.

Mostly used in reformed churches, and anabaptists. Some examples of psalters are:
*[[Genevan Psalter]]
*German Psalter "des Königlichen Propheten David" 
*Dutch Psalter

=== Hymns===
A Reformation approach, the [[normative principle of worship]], produced a burst of hymn writing and congregational singing. Martin Luther is notable not only as a reformer, but as the author of hymns including "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"), "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ" ("Praise be to You, Jesus Christ"), and many others. Luther and his followers often used their hymns, or chorales, to teach tenets of the faith to worshipers. The first Protestant hymnal was published in Bohemia in 1532 by the Unitas Fratrum.
Mostly used by Protestant churches, principally Lutheran, Methodist, and Hussite traditions, but in some areas also by Roman Catholic and Anabaptists. Some examples of famous hymnals are:
*[[Ausbund]], oldest Anabaptist hymnal
*[[Baptist Hymnal]]
*[[Evangelisches Kirchengesangbuch]], the first hymnal in German speaking churches
*[[Hymnbooks of the Church of Scotland]]
*[[Jistebnice hymn book]], Czech hymnal from around 1430

=== Contemporary Christian music ===
{{Main|Contemporary Christian music}}
[[File:Pro fide.jpg|thumb|Pro Fide, a [[Finland|Finnish]] Christian rock band, in 2012]]
From the latter half of the 20th century to the present day in Western Christendom—especially in the United States and in other countries with evangelical churches—various genres of music originally often related to [[pop rock]], have been created under the label of Contemporary Christian Music ("CCM") for home-listening and concert use. It can be divided into several genres and subgenres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. These genres (sometimes referred to as "style") like other forms of music may be distinguished by the techniques, the styles, the context and the themes, or geographical origin. Specific subgenres of CCM may include (but are not limited to): [[Christian country music]], [[Christian pop]], [[Christian rock]], [[Christian metal]], [[Christian hardcore]], [[Christian punk]], [[Christian alternative rock]], [[Christian R&B]], [[Christian electronic dance music]] and [[Christian hip hop]].

In the 1980s and 1990s, contemporary Christian music played a significant role in [[Evangelical]] [[Christian worship]].<ref>Suzel Ana Reily, Jonathan M. Dueck, ''The Oxford Handbook of Music and World Christianities'', Oxford University Press, USA, 2016, p. 443</ref><ref>Mathew Guest, ''Evangelical Identity and Contemporary Culture: A Congregational Study in Innovation'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2007, p. 42</ref> A great variety of musical styles has developed traditional praise.<ref>George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 629</ref>

==== Other languages ====

Similar developments took place in other language, for example the German {{lang|de|[[Neues Geistliches Lied]]}} and Korean Contemporary Christian music.

==== Industry ====
{{Main|Christian music industry}}

Christian music is supported by a segment of the general [[music industry]] which evolved as a parallel structure to the same. Beginning in the 1970s and developing out of the [[Jesus movement]], the [[Christian music industry]] subsequently developed into a near-billion dollar enterprise. By the 1990s the genre had eclipsed classical, jazz, and [[new-age music]], and artists began gaining acceptance in the general market. There are several programs of schooling that have been created to create new christian artists such as [[Hillsong College]] in Norwest, Australia, and [https://visible.edu/ Visible Christian College] in Memphis, TN U.S.A. [[Hillsong United]] is the band out of Hillsong college and they took the worship music scene by storm in 2016 with the song "[[What a Beautiful Name]]" which won the GMA Dove song of the year in 2017. Other famous artists include [[Chris Tomlin]], [[Casting Crowns]], [[Amy Grant]], and [[Skillet (band)|Skillet]].

==== Media ====
{{Main|Christian media}}

Today, Christian music is available through most available media. Christian music is broadcast over the radio, television, or the Internet. Christian Albums and video recordings ([[CD]], [[LP album|LP]], [[music download|digital download]], [[DVD]], etc.) have been increasingly more popular and have continued to increase in sales.<ref>{{cite news|author=Steve Turner |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/feb/27/obituaries.mainsection |title=Obituary: Larry Norman &#124; Music |work=The Guardian |date= 2008-02-27|access-date=2011-09-27 |location=London}}</ref>

Christian Musicals is another growing area, especially with the help of the internet. Church drama groups frequently enjoy performing musical dramas which can be downloaded on-line for free use.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christian Musicals|url=http://www.christianmusicals.co.za|publisher=Gospel Musicals|access-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912200132/http://christianmusicals.co.za/|archive-date=12 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are Christian tv shows and movies. One example of a Christian tv show is the drama series called [[The Chosen (TV series)|The Chosen]], and children's shows such as [[VeggieTales]]. There is a whole series of Christian movies by the [[Kendrick Brothers]]  production company, who have created movies such as [[Fireproof (film)|Fireproof]], [[Overcomer (film)|Overcomer]], and [[Courageous (film)|Courageous]].

==== Music festivals and conferences ====
{{Main|Christian music festival}}

In the US several Christian [[music festivals]] have been organized. They are common in the summertime and draw many different people, specifically those from organized groups such as church [[youth groups]] and campus groups. In addition to music festivals like those that are part of the [[Christian Festival Association]], there are also many Christian [[Academic conference|conferences]] which focus more on speakers, but usually also have musical performances, especially for a [[Church service|Worship service]].

The [[Ichthus Music Festival]] started in 1970. Today festivals are held annually around the world, and may draw upwards of 100,000 people.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

New Zealand's [[Parachute Music Festival]], the largest Christian music festival in the Southern Hemisphere, began in 1989 and is held annually at Mystery Creek Events Centre outside the city of Hamilton.

England's [[Big Church Day Out Festival]] began in 2009 and has annual attendance of approximately 20,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Big Church Day Out|url=http://www.bigchurchdayout.com/about|publisher=Big Church Day Out|access-date=17 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815042528/http://www.bigchurchdayout.com/about|archive-date=15 August 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==== Concerts ====

Like any musical group or act, many Christian musical artists perform concerts in [[concert halls]], bars & clubs, or outdoor venues, as well as in church-related venues. Sometimes it may be for pure entertainment, other times with the intention of [[evangelism|witnessing]] (evangelizing by bearing witness of one's faith), and other times may be part [[contemporary worship|worship]] as well.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Byzantine music]]
* [[Christian radio]]
* [[Gospel music]]
* [[History of music in the biblical period]]
* [[Hymn]]
* [[Liturgical music]]
* [[Mass (music)]]
* [[Religious music]]
* [[Worship presentation program]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Christian Worship Songs this Week {{!}} PraiseCharts |url=https://www.praisecharts.com/song-lists/hot |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.praisecharts.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Further reading ==

* Boyer, Horace Clarence, ''How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel'' Elliott and Clark, 1995, {{ISBN|0-252-06877-7}}.
* [[Viv Broughton|Broughton, Viv]], ''Too Close To Heaven – The Illustrated History of Gospel Music'', Midnight Books, 1996, {{ISBN|1-900516-00-4}}
* Albert E Brumley & Sons, ''The Best of Albert E Brumley,'' Gospel Songs, 1966, ISBN na-paperback Amazing Grace
* Darden, Robert, ''People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music'' Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, {{ISBN|0-8264-1752-3}}.
* [[Anthony Heilbut|Heilbut, Tony]], ''The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times'' Limelight Editions, 1997, {{ISBN|0-87910-034-6}}.
* [[Jerry Zolten|Zolten, Jerry]], ''Great God A' Mighty!:The Dixie Hummingbirds – Celebrating The Rise of Soul Gospel Music,'' Oxford University Press, 2003, {{ISBN|0-19-515272-7}}.
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Ecclesiastical Music}}
* [http://www.enciclopediacecilia.org Enciclopedia Cecilia] (in Spanish) Includes a Catholic Encyclopedia about music, wiki-style
* Palackal, Joseph, [http://www.thecmsindia.org/syriac_chants.txt ''Syriac Chant Traditions in South India''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208120111/http://www.thecmsindia.org/syriac_chants.txt |date=2012-02-08 }}
* {{cite book|last=Wilson-Dickson|first=Andrew|title=The Story of Christian Music: An Illustrated Guide to All the Major Traditions of Music in Worship|year=2003|publisher=Lion|location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-7459-5119-5}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category}}

<!-- ======================== {{No more links}} ============================
    | PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. Wikipedia  |
    | is not a collection of links nor should it be used for advertising. |
    |                                                                     |
    |           Excessive or inappropriate links WILL BE DELETED.         |
    | See [[Wikipedia:External links]] & [[Wikipedia:Spam]] for details.  |
    |                                                                     |
    | If there are already plentiful links, please propose additions or   |
    | replacements on this article's discussion page, or submit your link |
    | to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org)   |
    | and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template.         |
    ======================= {{No more links}} ============================= -->
* {{curlie|Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Music/|Christian music}}
* {{cite web|url= http://cantusindex.org|title= Free and open academic meta-engine of latin manuscripts and music sheets|language= la, en, fr, es}}
* [https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-songs Billboard Praise and Worship Charts]
* [https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay Billboard Christian Airplay Charts]
* [https://www.reverbnation.com/mukali/ The music of God]


{{Christian music}}
{{Christianity footer}}
{{Religious_music}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Christian music| ]]