A Free Music Lesson about Hymn Writers Watts, Wesley, Newton, and Billings

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Today I’m offering you a free Music Lesson about Hymn Writers that is part of the Music Appreciation: Middle Ages Thru Classical Era for High School online course. Let’s learn about some hymn writers of the Baroque and Classical eras: Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, John Newton, and William Billings.

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.

Music Lesson about Hymn Writers:

Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was a minister of the Congregational church in England and lived from 1674 – 1748. He is known as the Godfather of English Hymnody and wrote over 750 hymns, including “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”, “Joy to the World”, and “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”.

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

“Joy to the World”

“O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley was the younger brother of John Wesley who founded the Methodist church. He lived from 1707-1788. His wonderful hymns include “And Can It Be”, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”, “Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending,” and the Christmas carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

“And Can it Be”

“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”

“Lo! He Comes in Clouds Descending”

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

John Newton

John Newton began his career from England as a slave ship captain, but after converting to Christianity, became a pastor. He lived from 1725-1807. Months before his death, he was grateful to see the slave trade abolished in England.

Newton wrote the great hymn lyrics for “Amazing Grace,” “I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow,” and “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”.

“Amazing Grace”

“I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow”

“Glorious Things of Thee”

Free “Amazing Grace” Hymn Study Download

You can get a free download of the 23-page “Amazing Grace” hymn study here:

William Billings

William Billings lived from 1746-1800 and is regarded as the first great American choral composer. He was born in Boston, and although he received some music instruction from a fellow church member, he was mostly self-taught. Most of his compositions are in four-part harmony (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and are meant to be sung a capella (without instrumental accompaniment).

He was greatly involved in organizing and leading “Singing Schools” from 1774 to 1798.

Listen to some of his hymns here:

“Boston” an early American Christmas hymn

“Chester” American Revolutionary hymn

“Africa”

Sign up to join this free session:

“And Can It Be” The Life of Charles Wesley~

By Notgrass History

“And Can It Be” The Life of Charles Wesley

Please join us Wednesday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m. for this exciting live online event! Sign up now to receive reminders!

Charles Wesley (1707-1788) composed over 6,000 hymns that expressed his amazement at God’s mercy and called God’s people to holiness. Dressed in costume, John Notgrass tells this life story from the perspective of Charles himself.

Based in large part on Wesley’s journals and hymns, the program explores his life at home with his parents Samuel and Susanna, his education, his conversion, and his ministry in the context of the religious history of England.

This presentation is recommended for ages 12 and up. It includes references to slavery, imprisonment and execution, and religious persecution.

The live online program starts at 2:00 p.m. Central Time and lasts for one hour. (Your browser should show the start time in your local time.) If you miss the live program, you can watch a replay at the same link.

There is no charge to watch the live program or the replay.

Note: Because of some references to slavery, imprisonment and execution, and religious persecution, I recommend this presentation for ages 12 and up.

This presentation is a collaboration between Music In Our Homeschool and Notgrass History.

Please join us Wednesday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m. for this exciting event! Sign up now to receive reminders!

And Can It Be The Life of Charles Wesley By Notgrass History

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s Music Lesson about Hymn Writers. What other hymn writers would you like me to include in a different lesson? Please leave a comment below!

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