Exploring Music as Worship and Theology: An Interdisciplinary Method for Studying Liturgical Practice (American Essays in Liturgy series)

Exploring Music as Worship and Theology addresses a central challenge to liturgical scholars and pastoral leaders - how to understand the diverse, culturally shaped worship patterns that exist in our multi-cultural church. It situates music as a central lens through which to explore a community's liturgical practice, and offers a practical method for studying and interpreting the lived experience of a musical-liturgical assembly.

Exploring Music as Worship and Theology invites greater attention to the diverse cultural music emerging in our various Christian assemblies, and underscores the need for greater dialogue between our theories of liturgy, music, and the actual practice of local communities.

Chapters are Interdisciplinary Orientations to Musical-Liturgical Practice," *The Research Process, - and *Creative Dialogue with Liturgical Studies. -

Mary E. McGann, RSCJ, PhD, is assistant professor of liturgy and music at the Franciscan School of Theology at Berkeley. She is co-author with Edward Foley, OFM Cap, of Music in the Eucharistic Prayer published by The Liturgical Press.

Mary E. McGann, RSCJ, is adjunct associate professor of liturgical studies at the Jesuit School of Theology (Santa Clara University) and the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California. Her recent research and writing focus on the global water and food crises, the challenges these present to Christian worship and sacramental practice, and the need to pursue a deep liturgical renewal that honors and acknowledges our planetary interdependence. McGann is author of several articles and three books, including award-winning A Precious Fountain: Music in the Worship of an African American Catholic Community (Liturgical Press, 2004).