Christian music (sometimes marketed as Inspirational music, Praise music, Worship music, or Contemporary Christian Music/CCM) is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. Contemporary Christian Music (or CCM; also by its religious neutral term inspirational music) is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes marketed as Black gospel to help potential buyers distinguish it from other forms of Christian music, such as contemporary Christian music or Christian rock and Southern gospel) is a subgenre of Gospel music. ... For other uses, see Yes (disambiguation). ... Upon This Rock, Larry Norman (1969) Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), or Christian pop/rock music, is a sub-genre of Christian music. ... Christian rock (occasionally abbreviated CR) is a form of rock music played by bands whose members are Christian and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ... Christian hardcore is a form of hardcore and metalcore music and a subgenre of punk rock played by bands where the musicians promote Christian beliefs. ... Christian metal is a form of heavy metal music which, as well as its many subgenres, contains Christian lyrics and themes. ... Christian hardcore is a form of hardcore punk music and a subgenre of punk rock played by bands where the musicians are openly Christian. ... Christian alternative music is form of religious music where the focus remains largely on the artistic expression of music, but from a Christian (often Protestant) perspective. ... Christian Industrial can be taken as either industrial music or industrial rock thats lyrics and themes are inspired and influenced by Christianity. ... Christian punk is a form of Christian alternative music and a subgenre of punk rock with some degree of Christian lyrical content. ... // Christian Country Music, a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, also known as Country Gospel or Inspirational Country. ... // Origins Progressive Southern Gospel is an American music genre that has grown out of Southern Gospel over the past couple of decades. ... Jubilee quartets were popular African-American religious musical groups in the first half of the twentieth century. ... Christian hip hop (originally Gospel rap, also known as holy hip hop or Christ hop) is a form of hip hop music which uses Christian themes to express the songwriters faith. ... Gospel blues is a form of blues-based gospel music that has been around since the inception of blues music, a combination of blues guitar and evangelistic lyrics. ... Byzantine music is the music of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) and by extension the music of its culture(s) as they continued in the Orthodox Christian parts of the population after the fall of the empire to the rule of the Ottoman Empire. ... Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the Roman Catholic Church. ... For other uses, see Hymn (disambiguation). ... This article discusses the Mass as a standard form of classical music composition. ... Worship music is a style of Christian music that is commonly used to denote songs that are used to worship God and set in a choral music style, usually with repeating, short, easily sung chorus parts. ... Contemporary Christian Music (or CCM; also by its religious neutral term inspirational music) is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ...

Like other forms of music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Christian music varies according to culture and social context. Christian music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most Christian music is praise, worship, and thanks to God. For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ...

Genres and subgenres

Christian music can be divided into several genres and sub-genres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. These genres (sometimes referred to as 'style') like other forms of music may be distinguished by the techniques, the styles, the context and the themes, or geographical origin. Historic categories and genres include (but are not limited to): Hymns, Motets, sequences, psalmody, antiphons, Contemporary Christian music, Southern Gospel, and Urban contemporary gospel. Specific subgenres of Christian music may include (but are not limited to): Progressive Southern Gospel, Christian country music, Christian pop, Christian rock, Christian metal (including Christian metalcore), Christian punk, Christian alternative rock, Christian hip hop (including Christian rap), Jubilee quartet, and Mass choir music. See also hymn - a program to decrypt iTunes music files. ... In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions. ... This is a page about mathematics. ... Psalms (Tehilim תהילים, in Hebrew) is a book of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, and of the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. ... This article is about the musical term. ... Contemporary Christian Music (or CCM; also by its religious neutral term inspirational music) is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes marketed as Black gospel to help potential buyers distinguish it from other forms of Christian music, such as contemporary Christian music or Christian rock and Southern gospel) is a subgenre of Gospel music. ... // Origins Progressive Southern Gospel is an American music genre that has grown out of Southern Gospel over the past couple of decades. ... // Christian Country Music, a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, also known as Country Gospel or Inspirational Country. ... Upon This Rock, Larry Norman (1969) Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), or Christian pop/rock music, is a sub-genre of Christian music. ... Christian rock (occasionally abbreviated CR) is a form of rock music played by bands whose members are Christian and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ... Christian metal is a form of heavy metal music which, as well as its many subgenres, contains Christian lyrics and themes. ... Christian hardcore is a form of hardcore punk music and a subgenre of punk rock played by bands where the musicians are openly Christian. ... Christian punk is a form of Christian alternative music and a subgenre of punk rock with some degree of Christian lyrical content. ... Christian alternative music is a form of alternative rock music lyrically grounded in a Christian worldview. ... Christian hip hop (originally Gospel rap, also known as holy hip hop or Christ hop) is a form of hip hop music which uses Christian themes to express the songwriters faith. ... Christian rap (originally gospel rap, but also known as holy hip hop, or Christian hip-hop) is a form of rap music that uses Christian-themed lyrics to express the songwriters faith. ... Jubilee quartets were popular African-American religious musical groups in the first half of the twentieth century. ...

Biblical foundations for Christian music in worship

Christian music in praise and worship has its roots in the Old Testament of the Bible. Praise is a vital part of worship in many Christian churches offering believers the opportunity to express their joy and gratitude to God. One of the most important purposes of worship expression in the Jewish and Christian faith is to praise God.

The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament offers many chapters of praise and worship, and is often recited in various forms in both Judaism and Christianity. The Book of Psalms is comprised of five separate "books" of prayer and praise. David, who is believed to be the author of portions of the Psalms, was a harpist and composer who incorporated praise and worship into temple worship.

On seven different occasions the phrase "make a joyful noise" is found in the King James Version of Psalms. The Book of Psalms encourages worship by clapping hands, playing various musical instruments, shouting, and singing. "O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our maker" (Psalm 95.6, King James Version) is a passage showing a humble attitude is important in worship of God. One of the most recognized passages is Psalm 100 with its urging to "serve the LORD with gladness; come before his presence with singing." His people are to "enter his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise."

Although some Christian churches do not believe in worship with musical instruments, most Jewish temples and synagogues as well as Christian churches use instruments of various types in their worship. Singing is often a part of the worship experience.

Performance

Christian music may also be classified based upon the setting it is performed. The most traditional way is to hear Christian music is live, in the presence of, or as one of the musicians in a worship or religious setting.

Worship Services

The most prevalent performances of Christian music are at religious or worship services. Traditionally this has been done at church buildings on Sunday morning, however it may be done through a church at other days and nights of the week or at other venues, such as coffeehouses, concert halls, campuses, or even bars. Specifics forms of performance music include (but are not limited to): Liturgical Music, Mass (music), or Worship service. Such performances may include a Worship leader, choir, worship band, and/or Worship presentation program. Liturgical music originated as a part of religious ceremony, and includes a number of traditions, both ancient and modern. ... This article discusses the Mass as a standard form of classical music composition. ... In the Protestant denominations of Christianity, a service of worship is a meeting whose primary purpose is the worship of God. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A worship presentation program is a computer software package used to present text (songs, scripture, announcements), images and/or video, normally in the form of a slide show. ...

Music Festivals & Conferences

A number of Christian music festivals have been organized. The first one was the Ichthus Music Festival which started in 1970, and the biggest ones are the Cornerstone Festival and Creation Festival which may draw upwards of 100,000 people. They are common in the summertime and draw many different people, specifically those from organized groups such as church youth groups and campus groups. In addition to music festivals like those that are part of the Christian Festival Association, there are also many Christian conferences which focus more on speakers, but usually also have musical performances, especially for a Worship service. A music festival is a festival that presents a number of musical performances usually tied together through a theme or genre. ... The Ichthus Music Festival is an annual Christian music festival in Wilmore, KY. The most recent one was held June 14-16, 2007. ... The Main Stage of Cornerstone has hosted such acts as Five Iron Frenzy, Pedro the Lion, P.O.D., MxPx,Underoath, Blindside and Switchfoot. ... Aerial view of the Creation Northeast festival Creation Festival is a series of popular Christian music festivals held in the United States. ... A Youth organization is a formal organization aimed at children and adolescents for education and socialization. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The United Methodist Annual Conference is the regional body that governs much of the life of the Connectional Church. ... In the Protestant denominations of Christianity, a service of worship is a meeting whose primary purpose is the worship of God. ...

Concerts

Like any musical group or act, many Christian musical artists perform concerts in concert halls, bars & clubs, outdoor venues, or wherever else an secular musician might play. Sometimes it may be fore pure entertainment, other times with the intention of proselytizing or witnessing, and other times may be part worship as well. A Concert hall is a cultural building, which serves as performance venue, chiefly for classical instrumental music. ... Religious conversion is the adoption of new religious beliefs that differ from the converts previous beliefs; in some cultures (e. ... Taken during a Hindu prayer ceremony on the eve of Diwali. ...

Media

Today Christian music is available through most available media. Christian music is broadcast over the radio, television or the internet. Christian Albums and video recordings (CD, LP, digital download, DVD, etc.) have been increasingly more popular and have continued to increase in sales. CD may stand for: Compact Disc Canadian Forces Decoration Cash Dispenser (at least used in Japan) CD LPMud Driver Centrum-Demokraterne (Centre Democrats of Denmark) Certificate of Deposit České Dráhy (Czech Railways) Chad (NATO country code) Chalmers Datorförening (computer club of the Chalmers University of Technology) a 1960s... An LP Long playing (LP), either 10 or 12-inch diameter, 33 rpm (actually 33. ... // A digital download (also known as a digital single or a paid digital download) is an official and legal music single available for purchase through an online store. ... DVD (also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc - see Etymology) is a popular optical disc storage media format. ...

See also

• Byzantine music
• Contemporary Christian music
• Gospel music
• Gregorian chant
• Hymn
• Mass (music)
• Contemporary worship music
• Worship presentation program

Byzantine music is the music of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) and by extension the music of its culture(s) as they continued in the Orthodox Christian parts of the population after the fall of the empire to the rule of the Ottoman Empire. ... Contemporary Christian Music (or CCM; also by its religious neutral term inspirational music) is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ... Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. ... Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the Roman Catholic Church. ... For other uses, see Hymn (disambiguation). ... This article discusses the Mass as a standard form of classical music composition. ... A worship presentation program is a computer software package used to present text (songs, scripture, announcements), images and/or video, normally in the form of a slide show. ...

External links

• Christian Music and Lyrics

• Christian music at the Open Directory Project

News and Information

• Christian Music Central - Christian Music Videos - Music Video Source
• New Christian Music Releases and Upcoming Release Schedule

Image File history File links Portal. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikiquote is one of a family of wiki-based projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, running on MediaWiki software. ... Image File history File links Ichthus. ... The Open Directory Project (ODP), also known as dmoz (from , its original domain name), is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links owned by Netscape that is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors. ...

Sources

Suggested reading

• Boyer, Horace Clarence, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel Elliott and Clark, 1995, ISBN 0-252-06877-7.
• Broughton, Viv, Too Close To Heaven - The Illustrated History Of Gospel Music, Midnight Books, 1996, ISBN 1-900516-00-4
• Albert E Brumley & Sons, The Best of Albert E Brumley, Gospel Songs, 1966, ISBN na-paperback Amazing Grace
• Darden, Robert, People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, ISBN 0-8264-1752-3.
• Heilbut, Tony, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times Limelight Editions, 1997, ISBN 0-87910-034-6.
• Zolten, Jerry, Great God A' Mighty!:The Dixie Hummingbirds - Celebrating The Rise Of Soul Gospel Music, Oxford University Press, 2003, ISBN 0-19-515272-7.
• Church Music in Catholic Encyclopedia
• Enciclopedia Cecilia (in Spanish) Includes a Catholic Encyclopedia about music, wiki-style