“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.
More Details
In 2013, Michael Hawn edited New Songs of Celebration Render: Congregational Song in the Twenty-first Century, a volume with chapters by ten authors, eight of whom are now Fellows of The Hymn Society. The primary purpose was to examine the range of congregational songs in the current century and how they influence our faith and worship. The primary metaphor was streams—streams from various sources of faith that weave through the landscape, intersecting with each other at times, shaping how we pray and sing. Rather than following the popular notion that our choices are limited to “traditional” or “contemporary”—a simplistic dichotomy (and dichotomies are almost always false or misleading)—this model proposes seven streams. Though the course will draw upon this book, it is over a decade old, and much has happened since then. The streams model needs further reflection. Texts are central to the discussion, but musical style is also a significant factor. Each participant will examine the primary streams that shape their ecclesial tradition and congregation and then develop strategies for how they might continue to broaden their congregation’s sung faith. This discussion will take place within the ecumenical and collegial environment of The Hymn Society, a context that should offer a wide range of perspectives and, thus, enrich those who participate.
Registration Information
Hymn Society members: $175
Non-members: $225
Pastor-musician teams from the same congregation: $275
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