Style characteristics of selected American hymn arrangements for piano, published 1963-2003

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to acquaint church pianists, teachers, and performers with the wide variety of styles found in the genre of sacred piano literature, which is useful primarily in the church worship service. A different style is presented in each chapter, and arrangers who have made significant contributions to this literature were selected to represent each particular style category. Except for chapters 2 and 7, each style is represented by one arranger.

Chapter 1 defines terms, sets limits and criteria for selecting arrangers and arrangements, presents the research methodology used, and provides a brief survey of arrangers active before 1963

Chapters 2-9 discuss the characteristics of the following styles: evangelistic (Rudy Atwood and Marilynn Ham), contrapuntal (Tedd Smith), chromatic (Fred Bock), virtuosic (Dino Kartsonakis), classical quotation (Gail Smith), twentieth century (several arrangers), country (Elmo Mercer), and New Age, pop, and jazz (Mark Hayes). While no biographical information is given for the arrangers in chapter 7 (twentieth-century techniques), biographical sketches are provided for the arrangers found in the other style categories.

The conclusion discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this body of literature, and summarizes the characteristics of those arrangements that possess musical integrity. The bibliography lists over four hundred collections of arrangements, many of which are by representative arrangers not discussed in the study.