The Church Musician

by Paul Westermeyer

Discusses the role of music in the Christian worship service, assesses the current state of church music, and offers advice on making the church's music more meaningful

Genres: Music

144 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1988

Reviews

[Edward Irons · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Church Musician, Revised Edition, by Paul Westermeyer (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1988)

This work is a practical guide for the musical leaders of the church. The author does not give instruction in technical aspects of church music.. Instead he prepares musicians to take up their positions with dedication and a sense of mission. The primary focus, as Paul Westermeyer admits, is on the cantor. This role sits at the center of each church’s musical life. Westermeyer reminds the reader that the cantor is expected to lead worship by way of song, and to be familiar with the key functions of music as praise, to pray, to proclaim, and to narrate. Cantors deal with budgets and resources. They may or may not compose. Whether he or she leads a large congregation or a small one, and regardless of their employment status in the parish, the cantor is the steward of God’s gift of music. It is a position of power.

Westermeyer is clear that the clergy generally do not take the lead in music direction. This responsibility must therefore lie with the cantor. Westermeyer is at his best when describing the cantor’s daily activities and challenges. If the cantor performs his or her tasks well, something miraculous happens: the congregation sings. Hearts open to God. And that is a first step in the fullness of worship made available to us through Christ.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book by a great thinker of American church music. Talks through theological reasonings for what a church musician's title should be, clergy relations, as well as all the other stuff musicians do in churches. Very easy to read.

[Nigel Ewan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, quick read. Westermeyer is best when writing about nitty-gritty of a church musician's job. At times Westermeyer displays a Lutheran bias and, at a few points, misrepresents the traditional Reformed/Puritan theology of church music. But overall it is a good, helpful work.

[Jonathan D Kopplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a bit dated it still provides a good description of the church musician at a variety of levels.