Moving Beyond Shallow Church Music

Discover the fascinating world of Anglican hymnody, sacred music composition, and church tradition in this in-depth interview with composer, organist, and hymnal editor Chris Hoyt. As the lead editor of the Book of Common Praise 2017—the official hymnal of the Reformed Episcopal Church—Chris shares the story behind creating a modern hymnal that bridges ancient liturgical traditions with contemporary needs. From editing challenges to theological debates over hymn texts, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a historic Anglican music resource.We also explore Chris’s musical journey—from studying composition at the University of North Texas and the Royal College of Music in London to his role as organist and choir director at Good Shepherd Church in Tyler, Texas. Chris discusses the challenges of writing music within a tradition, balancing beauty and craft, and drawing inspiration from legendary teachers like Joseph Horovitz and historical figures such as Nadia Boulanger. The conversation delves into the art of melody writing, the revival of Znamenny chant, and the influence of composers like Vaughan Williams, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky on church music.Whether you’re a church musician, composer, or lover of sacred music, this interview offers valuable insights into composition, hymnody, and the enduring beauty of traditional liturgy. Learn how melody, theology, and history intersect in the world of Anglican church music—and why projects like the Book of Common Praise 2017 matter for future generations.Chris Hoyt's sites: https://hoytcomposer.com/#:~:text=CHRISTOPHER%20HOYT%20(b.,of%20North%20Texas%20in%20Denton.the REC hymnal: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/#:~:text=Description,available%20to%20traditional%20Anglicans%20today.my sites: my sites:💻 Website and blog: https://matthewwilkinson.net/Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/album/24DSGAdbVt7by0JHEqTwMh?si=skyeFs1xQWCB6QtSNae23Ahttps://patreon.com/MatthewWilkinsonMusic?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkmy intro is the Second Organ Sonata of Mendelssohn, played by myself00:00 Introduction to Chris Hoyt09:49 Navigating Composition Pedagogy27:42 Exploring Chant and Traditional Influences41:00 Exploring Ancient Musical Modes/Orthodox Octoechos47:44 The Hymnal Project Overview/Book of Common Praise 201754:48 Copyright Challenges in the REC Hymnal Production59:17 The Typesetting Journey01:04:53 The Role of the Jester in Society/Calvin Robinson01:14:05 Contemporary Christian Music in Worship01:24:22 Criteria for Evaluating Church Music