To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the publication of The Hymnal 1982
For forty years, the voices of the faithful have been guided by the vision and legacy of those who shaped The Hymnal 1982. Now Church Publishing is pleased to announce the publication, in November, of Shapers of The Hymnal 1982, by Marty Wheeler Burnett—a special 40th anniversary edition that celebrates the music that has united generations in prayer and praise.
The creation of The Hymnal 1982 was a bold step forward in congregational song. Created to reflect a broader, more inclusive vision of worship, it included such material as early American and Southern folk hymns, spirituals, plainsong, Lutheran chorales, and new texts and tunes by contemporary composers. Through firsthand interviews with the poets, composers, clergy, liturgists, and scholars who crafted this publication, “Burnett raises important questions about the practice and continuing development of congregational song that will resonate with pastors, musicians, and leaders of every denomination,” says J. Michael McMahon, executive director of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.
Marty Wheeler Burnett, D.Min., is the Associate Professor of Church Music and Director of Chapel Music at Virginia Theological Seminary. Burnett is a past President of the Association of Anglican Musicians and a current member of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of The Episcopal Church. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree in organ performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of the South. Her publications, presentations, and research focus on liturgical music, particularly hymns and service music by women. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
Shapers of The Hymnal 1982
Our Faith in Words and Music
9781640658141
Paperback
$22.95
November 2025
160 Pages
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