anglican chant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Ecclesiastical, Technical (Musicology)
Quick answer
What does “anglican chant” mean?
A method of singing unmetrical texts, like psalms or canticles, in Anglican church services, characterized by a harmonized melody that is recited on a single note for most syllables.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A method of singing unmetrical texts, like psalms or canticles, in Anglican church services, characterized by a harmonized melody that is recited on a single note for most syllables.
A specific musical genre and practice within Western Christian liturgy, primarily associated with the Church of England and its related traditions. It involves a harmonized, often four-part, chant formula that is flexibly applied to prose texts. The term can also refer to the individual musical compositions used for this purpose.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and the practice are native to and most common in British contexts, given its origin in the Church of England. In American usage, it is strongly associated with the Episcopal Church (the U.S. member of the Anglican Communion).
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes tradition, cathedrals, and the established church. In the US, it carries similar connotations of liturgical tradition within the Episcopal Church and certain high-church Protestant circles.
Frequency
Markedly more frequent in UK English due to the central role of the Church of England. In US English, it is a specialist term known within religious and musical communities but unfamiliar to the general public.
Grammar
How to Use “anglican chant” in a Sentence
The choir performed [an/the] Anglican chant.Psalm 23 was sung to [a] well-known Anglican chant.He is an expert in [the composition of] Anglican chants.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anglican chant” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Anglican-chant tradition is strong here.
- It's a classic Anglican-chant setting.
American English
- The Episcopal service featured Anglican-chant psalms.
- She prefers an Anglican-chant style.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in musicology, theology, and liturgical studies to describe a specific musical form and practice.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used when discussing church services or choir music in detail.
Technical
Core term in sacred music and Anglican liturgy, specifying a type of harmonized, recitational singing for prose texts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anglican chant”
- Using it as a general term for any religious song ('They sang an Anglican chant' for a hymn).
- Confusing it with Gregorian chant (which is monophonic and medieval).
- Misspelling as 'Angelican chant'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Gregorian chant is monophonic (single melody line), medieval, and associated with the Roman Catholic Church. Anglican chant is harmonized (usually in four parts), developed from the 16th century onward, and is specific to the Anglican tradition.
Not necessarily. While it is a skilled art in cathedrals, many parish choirs sing simpler Anglican chants. The recitational style can be accessible with practice.
Yes. While most common for psalms and biblical canticles (like the Magnificat), it can be applied to other unmetrical liturgical texts, such as the Lord's Prayer or certain prayers.
Yes. It is used wherever the Anglican Communion is present, such as in the Episcopal Church in the USA, the Anglican Church of Canada, etc., though local terminology like 'Episcopal chant' is sometimes used.
A method of singing unmetrical texts, like psalms or canticles, in Anglican church services, characterized by a harmonized melody that is recited on a single note for most syllables.
Anglican chant is usually formal, ecclesiastical, technical (musicology) in register.
Anglican chant: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæŋ.ɡlɪ.kən ˌtʃɑːnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæŋ.ɡlɪ.kən ˌtʃænt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ANGEL (sounds like 'Angli-') CAN (sounds like '-can') sing a repetitive, harmonious CHANT in a grand English cathedral.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly technical term with little metaphorical extension.)
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of Anglican chant?