Sacred Music Collection

For centuries, those who composed music for the church were arguably the major influencers on the development of music in the western world. At other times, the culture of music in vogue was adopted by the church and integrated into worship elements. Church music has generally been based on singing, written for individuals and choirs to express the words of Scripture and the experience of faith as encouraged by the words of Bible, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19).

From the early, simple monophonic chants sung by the clergy and monks alone, to the complex polyphony of the Renaissance sung by choirs, to the vibrant congregational singing inspired by the Reformation and the revivals, to the simple singing of the Psalms without instruments in the settlements of the New World, music has continued to lead God's people in personal and corporate worship experiences. This collection includes selected examples of church music starting with the plainsong of the Middle Ages on through the development of Gospel hymns and the shape-note tradition of the 19th century.

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Stiftsbibliothek Sankt Gallen Codex 381

This copy of the St. Call Codex 381 is a full-color photographic reproduction of the original, one of the oldest collections of chant from the 10th century.
Winchester Troper, Early 11th Century

The Winchester Troper was originally copied out and used at Winchester Cathedral in England.
Magnus liber organi, circa 1250

The Magnus Liber Organi, or "Great Book of Organum", is the largest and most important source for the influential composers centered around Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
Manuscript Leaf from 14th Century German Antiphonal

This original vellum manuscript leaf is from a German antiphonal, a service book that contains the sung portions of the daily devotions performed by members of the clergy and members of religious orders.
Motetti A, numero trentatre, Venice, 1502

Ottaviano Petrucci (1466-1539) was an Italian printer who produced the first printed music with movable type in 1501, the secular work Harmonice Musices Odhecaton A
Martin Luther - Duetsche Messe, 1526

The Cedarville University copy of Martin Luther's Duetsche Messe is a line-cut reproduction of the Michael Lotter edition.
Manuscript Leaf from Antiphonal in Latin, circa 1550

This original vellum manuscript leaf is from a Spanish antiphonal, a service book that contains the sung portions of the daily devotions performed by members of the clergy and members of religious orders.
Genevan Psalter, 1562

The Genevan Psalter is a collection of metrical Psalms created under the supervision of John Calvin to encourage congregational participation during worship.