Beloved Unitairan Universalist Musician Matt Meyer has brought us this fascinating five part series exploring the roots of Unitarian Universalist congregational singing.  

Matt Meyer (he/him) is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist with a long background as a musician and worship leader for UU congregations.…

Part One: Our Song Leading Roots

Part Two:  What to Sing–Psalms vs. Blasphemy and a Question of Content

Part Three: How to Sing: Chants vs. Hymns and a Question of Form

Part Four: Who Should Sing–Performance versus Participation

Part Five: With What to Sing?…

With What to Sing? Adding Instruments or Going Acapella

by Matt Meyer

“(The organ) is pleasing to almost every one of the society, excepting a few who retain their ancient prejudices, and who had rather hear this pleasing part of devotion performed by a small number of screaming voices, without order or decency, than have any tuned instrument as a help, however harmonious and agreable.” 

Compiled by Matt Meyer (rhythmrevelations.com)

Primary Sources

The Reasonableness of Regular singing… by Thomas Symmes, 1720.  Link here

The Accomplished Singer, by Cotton Mather. 1721  Link here

The Letter of Resignation from First Parish Cambridge, 1842. …

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