Christian_music

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.

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.

Performance

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

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.

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.).

See also

• Byzantine music
• Gregorian chant
• Hymn
• Mass (music)
• Praise song
• Worship leader
• Worship presentation program

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Christian music

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Christian music

• Christian music at the Open Directory Project

News and Information

• Christian Music Central - Christian Music Videos - Music Video Source
• Christian Music Daily Christian and Gospel music news, reviews, interviews and forums
• New Christian Music Releases and Upcoming Release Schedule

Music reviews

• The CCM Patrol - reviews and analysis of Christian music.

Sources

Suggested reading

• 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

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia