Service Music and Congregational Song

Abstract This chapter examines selected historical examples in the practice of music in the Anglican tradition to develop some priorities and principles for those who choose service music and congregational song for Anglican worship. The grounding of these priorities in Anglican tradition provides a basis for navigating the multiple musical opportunities for the postcolonial Anglican Communion, where “Anglican music” is no longer synonymous with “English” music. The chapter looks at the development of English hymnody and choral music and the subsequent movement of that repertoire around the globe as the Anglican church expanded. It then examines a few selected examples of recent methods of inculturating this heritage in localized ways. The chapter concludes by proposing six priorities to guide the choice of service music, hymns, and songs for Anglican liturgy.