Christian music

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Christian music
Stylistic origins: various
Cultural origins: various
Mainstream popularity: International
Derivative forms: Contemporary Christian
Southern Gospel
Urban contemporary gospel
Subgenres
Christian pop
Christian rock
Christian Hardcore
Christian metal
Christian metalcore
Christian alternative
Christian Industrial
Christian punk
Bluegrass gospel
Christian country music (sometimes called Country Gospel)
Progressive Southern Gospel
Jubilee quartet
Christian hip hop
Mass choirs
Gospel blues
Other topics
Byzantine music
Gregorian chant
Hymn
Mass (music)
Praise song

Christian music (sometimes marketed as Inspirational music, Praise music or Worship music) is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.

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 as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most Christian music is praise, worship or thanks to God and/or Christ.

Contents

[edit] Genres and subgenres

Christian music can be divided into several genres and sub-genres, 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. Historic categories and genres include (but are not limited to): Hymns, Motets, sequences, psalmody, antiphons, Contemporary Christian music, Southern Gospel, and Urban contemporary gospel. Specific subgenres of Christian music may include (but are not limited to): Progressive Southern Gospel, Christian country music, Christian pop, Christian rock, Christian metal (including Christian metalcore), Christian punk, Christian alternative rock, Christian hip hop (including Christian rap), Jubilee quartet, and Mass choir music.

[edit] Performance

Christian music may also be classified based upon the setting it is performed.

[edit] Live performance

The most traditional way is to hear Christian music is live, in the presence, or as one of the musicians in a worship or religious setting.

Specifics forms of performance music include (but are not limited to): Liturgical Music, Mass (music) or Worship service. Such performances may include a Worship leader, choir and/or Worship presentation program.

[edit] Media

Today Christian music is available through several media. Christian music can also be broadcast over the radio, television or the internet. It may also take the form of a recording (LP, CD, DVD, etc.).

[edit] See also

This article is a part in a series on
Christian music
See also:
Christianity:Category  • Portal  • WikiProject
Christian music: Category  • Portal  • WikiProject


[edit] External links

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[edit] Sources

[edit] Suggested reading

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  • Boyer, Horace Clarence, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel Elliott and Clark, 1995, ISBN 0-252-06877-7.
  • 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.
  • Heilbut, Tony, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times Limelight Editions, 1997, ISBN 0-87910-034-6.
  • 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.
  • Church Music in Catholic Encyclopedia
  • Enciclopedia Cecilia (in Spanish) Includes a Catholic Encyclopedia about music, wiki-style
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