Description
The Hymn Tune Index is a comprehensive census of tunes associated with English-language hymns found in sources printed in or before the year 1820. The Hymn Tune Index project sources include monographs, over 500 microfilms, photocopies, and other reproductions of printed source materials. Nicholas Temperley, former University of Illinois professor of musicology, gathered the materials for the project beginning in the 1970s and they were transferred to the Library in phases, ending in 2021 after Temperley’s death.
Location/ Arrangement
Music and Performing Arts Library Special Collections
Microfilms are shelved in MPAL Special Collections with “HTI” shelfmark; sources are primarily in HTI source code order. Photocopied sources are arranged in file folders and boxes and are in HTI source code order. Individual monographs are classified and shelved in MPAL Special Collections or the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, as appropriate.
Access / Finding Aids
The Hymn Tune Index contains various access points to the source materials. Monographs and individual source microfilms are cataloged and found via the Library catalog. The photocopied sources are described as a group here.
Temperley, Nicholas, Charles G. Manns, and Joseph. Herl. The Hymn Tune Index : a Census of English-Language Hymn Tunes in Printed Sources from 1535 to 1820 Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1998. Music and Performing Arts Library Reference Non-circulating ML128.H8 T45
Hymn Tune Index online: https://hymntune.library.illinois.edu/
See also
The Hymn Tune Index project administrative files are held at the University Archives (finding aid here). Nicholas Temperley’s personal papers and related materials are also held at the Archives (finding aid here).
Index terms
Hymnody
Hymn Tunes
Microfilm
Musicology
Temperley