About the book

“Highly recommended, this deserves to become a standard reference text. It has an extensive bibliography which indexes both primary and secondary source material, and the text is interspersed throughout with useful tables and thoughtfully chosen illustrations. University of Hertfordshire Press is also to be congratulated on the quality, layout and production of the book, which is something of a bargain.” Simon Waters, The Galpin Society Journal

“Anyone with an interest in music, church social history, the education of singers and instrumentalists – in fact the music business in general, will find this book a mine of fascinating information. I read it from cover to cover with frequent smiles. Thank you, Dr Maggie Kilbey!” Ruth Jeavons, Herts Past & Present

“Maggie Kilbey has assembled a huge amount of information, and provides an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources, including parish records, census returns, the BOA and local directories, periodicals and newspapers. It is interesting to see that both Bevington and Flight, who provided many barrel organs for churches in the county, also published collections of printed tunes to go with their instruments. A companion volume covering the next century would be equally fascinating!” Richard Hobson, The British Institute of Organ Studies Reporter

“Kilbey’s work is a clear, thoroughly researched and persuasive study of the vital sphere of ‘music-making’ in the parishes of Hertfordshire during this period.” Andrew Poxon, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

“Thank you, Maggie Kilbey! Your book is a pleasure to read and a valuable addition to the study of music in parish churches.” Fenella Bazin, The Local Historian

“Through her accessible and engaging written style and the rigor and depth of research presented, readers will gain a vivid picture of Hertfordshire's musical and social history during more than a century. Fostered by Kilbey's zest and enthusiasm, they may also be encouraged to investigate music-making in their own parishes.” Catherine Crisp, Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society

The standard of congregational singing in mid-eighteenth-century parish churches was often in a parlous state, a situation viewed with alarm by many influential clergy and social commentators. In this authoritative study, Maggie Kilbey explores attempts to improve parochial music-making over the following century and the factors that played a part in their success or failure.

Using Hertfordshire as a basis, original research by this respected author and historian uses a wide range of documentary evidence to reveal a complicated picture of influence and interaction between the gentry, clergymen and their parishioners.

Her innovative approach to the social history of church music-making sheds light on interactions between militia and church bands, singers, organists, the role of charity school children and the use of barrel organs.

Because of its proximity to London, Hertfordshire was particularly attractive to elites with an interest in the capital, and fell under the influence of metropolitan music-making more readily than less accessible parts of England.

The involvement of both fashion-conscious and socially aware gentry was mirrored by those further down the social scale, and formed part of a complex pattern of support for church music-making.