Carlton R. Young

CARLTON R. YOUNG, teacher, editor, composer and conductor, has the unique distinction of serving as editor of two revisions of hymnals for Methodists: The Methodist Hymnal, 1966; and The United Methodist Hymnal, 1989.

Dr. Young was born and reared in Ohio. He was educated at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Boston University School of Theology, with further study at Union Theological Seminary, NYC; and in Vienna and Prague. He has received honorary doctorates from Ohio Northern University, Ohio Wesleyan University, West Virginia Wesleyan, and Emory University.

Prof. Young has served on the faculties and directed graduate studies in church music at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and Scarritt College; and is Emeritus Professor of Church Music, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He has taught at Westminster Choir College; Baylor University, Claremont School of Theology; New Orleans Baptist Seminary; Vanderbilt Divinity School; Presbyterian Seminary at San Anselmo; The Methodist Theological School in Ohio; United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio; Belmont University, Nashville, and Virginia Wesleyan University, Norfolk. In 1996 he tutored computer music-setting at Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe. He was visiting professor of church music, Tainan Presbyterian College and Seminary, 1995-2004, and The Methodist School of Theology, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia, 2004, and 2007. In 1995 he received The Roger Deschner Award for distinguished service in music and worship from the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music, Worship and the other arts. He is a consultant and the musical editor of Global Praise publications for the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.

From 1969-1972 he was choral director and lecturer in music for ACUIS, Graz University, Graz, Austria. From 1980-1990 he directed The United Methodist Youth Chorale in concert tours of England, Wales, France, Switzerland, Austria, East and West Germany. He is a Past President and Fellow of the Hymn Society in The United States and Canada, and the first American to be named an honorary member of The British Methodist Church Music Society. He has lectured, conducted clinics, and directed choir and hymn festivals in most of the Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church in the contiguous United States; and churches and schools in England, Germany, Austria, Taiwan, China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

Dr. Young's published choral and organ works are in major music catalogues. ASCAP has recognized Dr. Young's work as composer and editor with thirty-six awards presented by the Standard Awards Panel. He is editor, (emeritus) with Hope Publishing Co., where he served as executive editor of Ecumenical Praise; Duty and Delight (Routley Remembered); His Life Be Praise (Erik Routley's Tunes and Texts); Hymnal Supplements I and II. He has written many articles in the field of church music and hymnody, including, "Hymn," for the Evangelischen Kirchenlexikon (EKL), 1989, and Encyclopedia of Christianity, Eerdmans-Brill, 2001; Concise Dictionary of Hymnody, Liturgical Press, 2000; Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart (RGG), J. C. B. Mohr, 2001; and Keywords in Church Music, Concordia, 2005. He was the 1995 lecturer in church music, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea; in 1997 he gave the opening lecture, “Ethnic Minority Hymns in Mainline US Hymnals” to the Tri-Hymnological Conference, York, England; gave the 2001 McElrath Hymnology lectures at Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville; presented the 1998 and 2005 Routley Lectures at Montreat, N.C., Assembly Music Week; was the Bell Scholar, fall 2002, Drew University, Madison, N.J.; Research Scholar, Bridwell Library, Southern Methodist University, 2004-05; and was curator of the Bridwell Library 2007 exhibit, Sacred Harmony: The Musical Wesley’s. He gave the 2007 Northcutt Lectures in Church Music, Baylor University, and has presented papers and directed music for the Orthodox--United Methodist Consultations, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2006.

Prof. Young is co-author of Companion to The Hymnal, (for the 1966 Methodist Hymnal), editor Supplement to The Book of Hymns, 1982, and  co-author with John Holbert and S T Kimbrough, Jr., Psalms for Praise and Worship: A Complete Liturgical Psalter, Abingdon Press, 1992. He is author of Companion to The United Methodist Hymnal, [1989] 1993, Abingdon Press; My Great Redeemer’s Praise, An Introduction to Christian Hymns, 1995, OSL Publications; Music of the Heart, John and Charles Wesley on Music and Musicians, 1995, Hope Publishing, and Stainer & Bell; was music editor and contributor to the facsimile reprint: Hymns on the Great Festivals and Other Occasions, music by John F. Lampe, texts by Charles Wesley and Samuel Wesley, Jr., 1746, The Charles Wesley Society, 1996

Dr. Young is an ordained elder (retired) in The United Methodist Church, East Ohio Conference. He has served as Director of Music in churches in Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, and Georgia. From 1966-88 he was the Director of Music for nine General Conferences of the former Methodist Church, and The United Methodist Church. He composed the processional and offertory music for the 2004 General Conference.

He is married to the former Marjorie Lindner. They have four children: Robert, James, Carol and Richard; and six grandchildren: Brook, Rebecca, Dyami, Kirby, Lena and Raymond.
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