The complete four-volume set includes major essays and relevant discussions of the musical forms in The Hymnal 1982 which cover such topics as popular religious song, cultural diversity, the relationship between The Hymnal 1982 and the liturgies of The Book of Common Prayer, the development of service music in the Episcopal Church, hymn forms, and a brief history of Christian hymnody in the United States and Britain. In addition, complete information is given on all hymns and service music which includes the sources of text and music as well as biographical and technical facts. (2,949 pp)

During the early 1900s, Horatio Parker was one of the best-known composers in the United States. He received numerous commissions and was a patriarchal figure among America's Protestant church musicians and choral societies; his symphonic works were performed by the leading orchestras of the day; and he headed the Yale School of Music for twenty-five years. Kearns's study is a thorough analysis of the circumstances leading to Parker's popularity in pre- World War I America and his neglect thereafter. The book includes a detailed narration of the composer's life and an extensive description of his major works. Over fifty examples of his music are included, as well as a comprehensive listing of works and writings.