Gospel, Hymns & Spirituals

Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music is characterized by dominant vocals and strong use of harmony with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century.

Explore examples of Gospel with this music collection!

Title:
James Brown | Digital Traditions
James Brown | Digital Traditions

Document

Grades: 6 7 8

James Brown was born in 1933 in Barnwell, SC, where he spent his early childhood. He developed his interest in music at an early age, performing gospel songs and first playing piano and later bass and...
Gospel Music | South Carolina Public Radio
Gospel Music | South Carolina Public Radio

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8

"G" is for Gospel Music. Gospel music as a genre consists of two major categories, White Gospel and Black Gospel. Both styles share similar musical routes that stem from the evangelical religious...
SC Music and Musicians | Conversations on SC History 19
SC Music and Musicians | Conversations on SC History
Episode 19

Video

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Noted South Carolina historian Dr. Walter Edgar discusses the key issues in SC History. in this episode, learn about South Carolina Music and Musicians. Genres of music like spirituals, blues, gospel...
Spirituals | Gullah Music
Spirituals | Gullah Music
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: PreK Kindergarten 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Spirituals developed at the same time as work songs on the plantations. Although they were religious songs with a Christian message, spirituals were also heartfelt expressions of the slave experience...
Gospel | Gullah Music
Gospel | Gullah Music
Episode 6

Audio

Grades: PreK Kindergarten 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

After slavery ended, some African American churches shifted from traditional spirituals to a new kind of religious music called gospel. This style of music brought together the elements of the “shout”...
William "Singing Billy" Walker | S.C. Hall of Fame
William "Singing Billy" Walker | S.C. Hall of Fame

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

"Amazing Grace: The Story of William "Singing Billy" Walker is about the Spartanburg resident, religious music composer and publisher. Walker became famous in the mid 1800's for changing the way...
Singing Amazing Grace | Artopia
Singing Amazing Grace | Artopia

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Eboni Ramm sings her jazz reinterpretation of the hymn, Amazing Grace and also includes spoken word.