Sacred Choral Music Repertoire

A practical reference for anyone looking to understand and benefit from the broad diversity of sacred choral music repertoire, its history and nuances, with performance insights and discussions of the best repertoire throughout the ages. These discussions come from surveys of practicing church musicians and additional focused inquiry to discover the vital canon of sacred choral music used widely throughout North America. Written by Tim Sharp, former executive director of the American Choral Directors Association, together with contributions from practicing church choir directors, this comprehensive book conveys with passion and wonder the central role that choral art has served in worship for hundreds of years. Additionally, it serves as a guide for any church music director and students of the sacred canon looking to bring the best performance practice and literature to their worship community. Topics include:

  • Chant
  • Music of the Renaissance
  • Music of the Baroque
  • The 18th Century Classical Era
  • The Romantic Era
  • Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries
  • Folk Hymns
  • Relational and Intentional Worship of the 21st Century
  • Church Music in a Professional and Commercial Age

Each section includes historical period background information, conducting insights specific to each period, practical analysis of each composition addressing meter, tempo, rhythm, melodic and harmonic characteristics, interpretation, texture, form, timbre, and text. Sharp and his contributors supply over 175 resource guides for the best in worship choral literature.