Shapers of The Hymnal 1982: Our Faith in Words and Music

 “I am grateful to Marty Wheeler Burnett for this delightfully readable and carefully researched history of The Hymnal 1982. Readers will find it to be an invaluable contribution to our understanding of church history and a thoughtful guide for conversations about liturgical life in today’s church.”

― Sean Rowe, 28th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

“For scholars of hymnody, music directors, and folks who love to sing hymns, this book is a treasure. Dr. Burnett’s ample research and trenchant analysis obviously arise from her enthusiasm for hymns and her admiration for the women and men who created The Hymnal 1982. Highly recommended.”

― William Bradley Roberts, D.M.A., professor emeritus of church music, Virginia Theological Seminary and founding music director, Vox Humana Richmond

“An extraordinary read, with broad accessibility. Marty’s brilliant writing style inspires a timeless conversation with the ‘Shapers of the Hymnal 1982’ for generations to come.”

― Mark Edw. Childers, Parish Administrator and Director of Liturgy and Music

“Marty Wheeler Burnett artfully tells the story of The Hymnal 1982, making generous use of first-person accounts and drawing us into the joys and struggles of bringing to birth this landmark collection of sacred song. Yet this book is not so much about the past as it is about the present and the future―telling the story of a church that continues to sing together while grappling with its faith, its worship, and its mission. Burnett raises important questions about the practice and continuing development of congregational song that will resonate with pastors, musicians, and leaders of every denomination.”

― J. Michael McMahon, Executive Director of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada

“This book is a page-turner for any church musician, pastor, or liturgy lover who reveres the people’s song and appreciates how it shapes faith and nourishes ecclesial identity. Delightfully presented, Dr. Burnett transforms the black and white pages of The Hymnal 1982 into a vibrant rainbow of colorful characters, who speak with wit, passion, and insight about how the book came to be and what might follow. Every major hymnal deserves a similar reflection that celebrates its accomplishments and acknowledges its shortfalls before looking toward the next hymnic adventure.”

― C. Michael Hawn, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

“Dr. Burnett builds deep appreciation for The Hymnal 1982by lifting up the voices of its editor, poets, composers, contributors, and theologians who willed this influential tome into existence. Her book honors the heritage of music and singing in the American Episcopal Church, while raising prescient and faithful questions for the formation of our next generation of musicians, clergy, and congregants.”

― Janet Yieh, Director of Music and Organist, Church of the Heavenly Rest

“In this invaluable resource, Marty Wheeler Burnett draws the reader into a circle of conversation to which most of us would not otherwise have access. Hymnody, no less than rite, is our theological heritage, and this book tells the story of how that heritage was shaped and handed on to us. The book is a treasure and gift to our shared memory.”

― James Farwell, Director of Anglican Studies, Virginia Theological Seminary, and H. Boone Porter Professor of Liturgics, The General Theological Seminary

“This book is a gift to the Episcopal Church, both for those who love the Hymnal 1982 and for those who are eager for future revisions.  We cannot know where we are going unless we know how we got where we are―and this book accessibly narrates the process by which the texts, tunes, and structure of the Hymnal 1982 came to be, celebrating what was done well, and identifying areas that time has not been as kind toward.”

― Jennifer A. Reddall, VI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

“I highly recommend this book for anyone who works in the field of church music or who loves hymns…”

― The Historiographer

“We come away with a deeper understanding of what it means to sing our faith with poetry and music that sear our hearts and minds―and prepare us for the work ahead.”

― The American Organist

Marty Wheeler Burnett, D.Min., is the Associate Professor of Church Music and Director of Chapel Music at Virginia Theological Seminary. An award-winning educator, Burnett previously served as Director of Fine Arts and Associate Professor of Music at College of Saint Mary in Omaha. She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees 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. 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 lives in Alexandria, Virginia.