Evolving Tastes in Hymntunes of the Methodist Episcopal Church During the Nineteenth Century
by
Terry L. Baldridge

Ph.D. in Musicology, University of Kansas, 1982

Abstract
The Methodist Episcopal Church in the nineteenth century was one of the most active denominations in the publication of materials for its members. Beginning in 1808, several tunebooks were issued for members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After mid-century, the design of the tunebooks was combined with that of the hymnals, and hymnals with tunes were published. The hymnal with tunes of 1878 was the last book of its kind issued by the denomination in the nineteenth century.

This study examines the various publications for evolving tastes. A very important influence of the first half of the nineteenth century was the “better-music” movement, which had great effect on the music of American churches of the period. Because of this, several reforms took place within the Methodist Episcopal Church. Denominational periodicals are examined for writings on music and musical publications. Through study of both the writings and the music itself, definite trends are evident.

One important facet in the study of evolving tastes is the classification of tunes into various categories. Classification of eighteenth-century tunes has been attempted in several works, but none has included the nineteenth century, a period during which many new developments in American church music were taking place.

In the study of the music itself, successive versions of tunes are examined for alterations in melody, harmony and partwriting, and rhythm and meter. Although changes are often slight, general trends are evident in the seventy-year period from 1808 to 1878. Alterations reflect the constant struggle on the part of Methodist editors to reconcile the demands of “better-music” proponents with the desires of the denomination’s constituents.