anglican church music

Anglican church music is music written for performance in Anglican church services, primarily in England. Almost all of it is written for choir with or without organ accompaniment. The choir typically uses 'SATB' voices (Soprano or Treble, Alto or Counter-tenor, Tenor and Bass), though in many works some or all of these voices are divided into two for part or all of the piece; in this case the two halves of the choir (one one each side of the aisle) are traditionally named Decani (or 1, for the higher voice) and Cantoris (or 2, for the lower voice). There may also be soloists, usually only for part of the piece. There are also some works for fewer voices, e.g. men only (with counter-tenors singing the alto part, and often with a Baritone part), or sopranos/altos only. The chief musical forms are:

Preces and responses — sung antiphonally by the priest and choir
Psalms — sung to Anglican chant by the choir or congregation
Service settings — choral settings of the liturgical canticles and hymns
Anthems or motets.

In all but the smallest churches the congregation was until recently confined to the singing of hymns. Over the past half century or so efforts have been made to increase the role of the congregation and also to introduce more "popular" musical styles.

Anglican Church Music

See also