Books on Sacred Music and the Liturgy
  • TCJ
    Posts: 966
    While searching for suggestions, I found this thread from way back: https://forum.musicasacra.com/forum/discussion/1544/top-five-books-on-liturgical-music-or-other-helpful-books-on-liturgy/p1

    In the time that has passed since that thread, I'm sure people will have found more books that are extremely useful for church musicians. I'm looking to expand my reading material, so I welcome any suggestions people may have.
  • MarkB
    Posts: 1,025
    What We Have Done, What We Have Failed to Do by Kevin Irwin:
    https://www.amazon.com/What-Have-Done-Failed-Liturgical/dp/080914848X

    Thanked by 3TCJ M. Jackson Osborn CHGiffen
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,368
    As spoken in the confession of the BCP's Holy Communion Service -
    'We have done those things which we ought not to have done, and we have not done those things that we ought to have done, and there is no health in us. Spare thou...'
    An aptly named book!
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    [13] Was that then which is good, made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it may appear sin, by that which is good, wrought death in me; that sin, by the commandment, might become sinful above measure.

    [14] For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.

    [15] For that which I work, I understand not. For I do not that good which I will; but the evil which I hate, that I do.

    [16] If then I do that which I will not, I consent to the law, that it is good.

    [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

    [18] For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is to say, in my flesh, that which is good. For to will, is present with me; but to accomplish that which is good, I find not.

    [19] For the good which I will, I do not; but the evil which I will not, that I do.

    [20] Now if I do that which I will not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

    OR...

    I have published the things I should not have published, and not published that which I should have published!
  • rich_enough
    Posts: 1,032
    These were published a while ago (and are probably familiar to most on the Forum) but still very worth reading:
    Sacred Treasure - by Joseph P. Swain
    The Musical Shape of the Liturgy - by our own Dr. William Mahrt
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