“It’s a Lot More Complicated than Traditional versus Contemporary”
Course Information
Join C. Michael Hawn, FHS, for an eight-session exploration that challenges the simplistic “traditional versus contemporary” divide in congregational music. This engaging online course will meet Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm ET, beginning January 28 and concluding February 20.
This course is designed for pastors, musicians, and church leaders who may not hold formal degrees in church music or theology, or who wish to deepen their understanding of congregational song in the 21st century. Registration will be $175 for members, $225 for non-members, and $275 for a pastor-musician team serving the same congregation.
Primary Text
New Songs of Celebration Render: Congregational Song in the Twenty-first Century, (NSCR) Comp. and Ed. by C. Michael Hawn (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2013).
Instructor
The primary instructor will be C. Michael Hawn, FHS.
Michael Hawn is the University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. He is the author of several books related to congregational songs, the USA Editor for the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, and editor of the United Methodist Discipleship Resources site, History of Hymns.
Course Dates
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Friday, January 30, 2026
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Friday, February 6, 2026
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Friday, February 13, 2026
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Friday, February 20, 2026
Course Description
Rather than limiting ourselves to false dichotomies, participants will explore a “streams” model that examines seven distinct traditions that flow through and shape our worship. Each participant will identify the primary streams in their own congregation and develop practical strategies for broadening their community’s sung faith.