Under Executive Editor James Abbington, GIA’s African American Church Music Series has expanded to over 400 choral selections—not to mention hymnal supplements, organ music by Black composers, exceptional recordings, and other publications—representing the best African American composers present and past. And the series shows no sign of slowing down.

The knowledge and expertise that informs the African American Church Music Series is contained in the essays, introductions, chapters, forewords, articles, and other writings that Abbington penned at the request of publishers and editors. Now, these elements come together inside the cover of one book in four sections: The Spiritual, Pioneering and Contemporary Hymn Writers, Pastoral Considerations, and Worship Resources. This unique and informative compilation of Abbington’s writings will prove vital to pastors, musicians, students, and worshipers in the African American music tradition—and beyond.