Donald Hustad
Encyclopedia
Donald Paul Hustad has been a recognized leader in evangelical church music for six decades. Although he is an esteemed musician, composer, and teacher, Hustad’s richest legacy resides in his informed criticism of evangelical church music and his well-developed philosophy of worship communicated through lectures, articles, and books.
Born to Peter and Clara Hustad on October 2, 1918, in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota
, Hustad was a toddler when his father was killed in a hunting accident. Clara moved with her two sons to Boone, Iowa
, where they lived in a church-related institution for indigent people. While the extremely conservative religious environment was repressive, the institution provided Hustad with unique music and work opportunities. His formal music training began with piano lessons at the age of four, and at eight years of age, he was playing gospel hymns in public worship and providing improvised accompaniments for the institution’s Christian radio station. By the end of grade school he had also learned Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Sonata, Opus 13, and Liszt
’s transcription of the second Hungarian Rhapsody.
The basic tenets of Hustad’s Christian faith were established while he was a child and later enriched by theological study. During his youth, he enjoyed listening to lawyers defend their cases at the local courthouse, and he developed an admiration for logic and debate. His later desire to construct a philosophy of church music that could withstand the rigors of liturgical and musicological debate stemmed from both his theological study and his interest in logical discourse. Hustad’s life was woven from these varied strands—a fragmented family unit, a conservative theological atmosphere, diverse musical styles, and learning opportunities afford by school, church, and local courtroom.
Hustad’s musical skills provided the financial support needed during his undergraduate education at John Fletcher College near Oskaloosa, Iowa
. In addition to directing the college band and leading a male quartet, he taught himself basic organ technique and became organist at First Methodist Church in Oskaloosa during his last year of school. After graduation in 1940, he moved to the Chicago area, where he was employed as a church organist and continued studies in piano and organ.
Radio broadcasting consumed Hustad’s time and energy during his early career. He was hired by WMBI in Chicago as a staff musician. George Beverly Shea
recalled this encounter in his book, Then Sings My Soul: “Another audition I remember was set up by Aunt Theresa [Worman], who had a friend ‘who should be playing organ for WMBI.’ When we heard him play one number, we knew she was right. Don Hustad was hired on the spot.” Hustad performed with featured soloist George Beverly Shea on Club Time, a program of hymns that aired weekly on the American Broadcasting Company radio network. His two-decade tenure as organist for the popular radio series, Songs in the Night, brought him other performing opportunities in the Chicago area. His responsibilities expanded beyond accompanying on piano and organ, to arranging, composing, conducting, producing programs and teaching. He completed a Master of Music degree in 1945 at Northwestern University
and held part-time teaching positions at Chicago Evangelistic Institute, Wheaton College
, Olivet Nazarene College, and Moody Bible Institute
.
During these early career years, he also met and married Ruth McKeag. Ruth has devoted her life to her husband and children. Her roles as secretary and research assistant have also been significant, aiding Don in his writing and composition projects.
Hustad taught full-time at Olivet Nazarene College, and part-time at Chicago Evangelistic Institute, Wheaton College
, and Moody Bible Institute
before accepting a full-time appointment as Director of the Sacred Music Department at Moody Bible Institute in 1950. In addition to teaching conducting and working with the Moody Chorale (which achieved international fame under his leadership), he shifted his focus from teaching to administration. Hustad’s philosophy of music education espoused the idea that music at a Bible college should be taught at essentially the same level as music at a conservatory. During his years at Moody, he pursued this goal by strengthening the curriculum and recruiting strong faculty.
Hustad enrolled in Northwestern University’s doctoral program in the fall of 1955. His applied performance areas (organ, choral conducting, and service playing) together with his research projects (the choral works of Ralph Vaughan Williams
and the organ works of Paul Hindemith
) augmented his previous experience and training. Hustad’s transition from Director of Music at MBI to full-time organist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
allowed him to complete his doctorate in 1963.
Although Hustad’s relationship with the Graham team began in the 1940s, his full-time position as Crusade organist did not begin until 1961. His six years in this role also gave Hustad the opportunity to perform on outstanding instruments around the globe, conduct workshops, give lectures, prepare articles for publication, and create a network of friends and associates. Hustad was valued not only for his creative gifts as organist, but also for his knowledge of hymnody, theological insight, and spirit as a “team” member.
During his years at MBI and with the Graham team, Hustad had served as a musical advisor for Hope Publishing Company. Since the 1950s, Hope has published most of Hustad’s choral, vocal, and keyboard compositions and arrangements. Hustad held the position of chief editorial consultant with Hope from 1950 to 1961, although his counsel as a musical advisor for the firm continued for three more decades. His knowledge of hymnody and his understanding of trends in church music helped to guide the development of Hope. Hustad’s catalog includes over 100 octavos and many vocal and keyboard volumes. Among His editorial contributions are fourteen song books and hymnals, as well as dozens of collections.
Hustad’s twenty-year tenure with the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
began in 1966. This opportunity allowed him to teach courses that paralleled his wide array of interests and offered him flexibility to lecture and perform beyond the seminary. Sabbatical leaves provided time for major writing projects and further study. He also earned diplomas as an Associate of the American Guild of Organists
(AAGO) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists
(FRCO), London. His retirement in December 1986 was in fact only semi-retirement, as he continued to teach courses and offer lectures at the seminary for the next two decades.
Beginning with his Moody years, Hustad regularly published articles articulating his insights on church music. Topics ranging from music and worship to gospel hymnody have appeared frequently through the decades. Although his philosophy of church music developed as he matured, its essence was apparent in his early career. At Southern Seminary, he created and taught his signature course, “Music in Worship and Evangelism.” This course gave Hustad the opportunity to synthesize and articulate his views, which ultimately became the manuscript for "Jubilate! Church Music in the Evangelical Tradition." This scholarly work and its extensive revision, Jubilate II, have been instrumental in guiding today’s evangelical church musicians. Hustad’s catalog of written works includes over 100 articles and six books.
“Retirement” from his seminary teaching position in 1987 seemed only to accelerate Hustad’s productivity. The revision of "Jubilate!," a new book—"True Worship," a new hymnal with a Worship Leaders’ Edition and companion, articles, and speaking and performing engagements have kept the Hustads busy. Accolades and honors continue to highlight his significant contributions to evangelical church music. In 1989, he was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada
, a national award in recognition of his distinguished services to hymnody. He received an honorary doctorate from Samford University
in 2006, and in March, 2008, Hustad was honored at the American Choral Director’s Association’s Southern Division Conference for his contributions to church music. He is a National Patron of Delta Omicron
, an international professional music fraternity.
Born to Peter and Clara Hustad on October 2, 1918, in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota
Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota
-External links:***...
, Hustad was a toddler when his father was killed in a hunting accident. Clara moved with her two sons to Boone, Iowa
Boone, Iowa
Boone is a city in and the county seat of Des Moines Township, Boone County, Iowa, United States. It is the principal city of the 'Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area', which encompasses all of Boone County. This micropolitan statistical area, along with the 'Ames, Iowa Metropolitan...
, where they lived in a church-related institution for indigent people. While the extremely conservative religious environment was repressive, the institution provided Hustad with unique music and work opportunities. His formal music training began with piano lessons at the age of four, and at eight years of age, he was playing gospel hymns in public worship and providing improvised accompaniments for the institution’s Christian radio station. By the end of grade school he had also learned Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Sonata, Opus 13, and Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
’s transcription of the second Hungarian Rhapsody.
The basic tenets of Hustad’s Christian faith were established while he was a child and later enriched by theological study. During his youth, he enjoyed listening to lawyers defend their cases at the local courthouse, and he developed an admiration for logic and debate. His later desire to construct a philosophy of church music that could withstand the rigors of liturgical and musicological debate stemmed from both his theological study and his interest in logical discourse. Hustad’s life was woven from these varied strands—a fragmented family unit, a conservative theological atmosphere, diverse musical styles, and learning opportunities afford by school, church, and local courtroom.
Hustad’s musical skills provided the financial support needed during his undergraduate education at John Fletcher College near Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa is the county seat of Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. The population was 11,463 in the 2010 census, an increase from 10,938 in the 2000 census. -History:...
. In addition to directing the college band and leading a male quartet, he taught himself basic organ technique and became organist at First Methodist Church in Oskaloosa during his last year of school. After graduation in 1940, he moved to the Chicago area, where he was employed as a church organist and continued studies in piano and organ.
Radio broadcasting consumed Hustad’s time and energy during his early career. He was hired by WMBI in Chicago as a staff musician. George Beverly Shea
George Beverly Shea
George Beverly "Bev" Shea is a Grammy Award-winning Canadian-born American gospel singer and hymn composer. Shea has often been described as "America's beloved Gospel singer" and is considered "the first international singing 'star' of the gospel world," as a consequence of his solos at Billy...
recalled this encounter in his book, Then Sings My Soul: “Another audition I remember was set up by Aunt Theresa [Worman], who had a friend ‘who should be playing organ for WMBI.’ When we heard him play one number, we knew she was right. Don Hustad was hired on the spot.” Hustad performed with featured soloist George Beverly Shea on Club Time, a program of hymns that aired weekly on the American Broadcasting Company radio network. His two-decade tenure as organist for the popular radio series, Songs in the Night, brought him other performing opportunities in the Chicago area. His responsibilities expanded beyond accompanying on piano and organ, to arranging, composing, conducting, producing programs and teaching. He completed a Master of Music degree in 1945 at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
and held part-time teaching positions at Chicago Evangelistic Institute, Wheaton College
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
, Olivet Nazarene College, and Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute is a Christian institution of higher education and related ministries that was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Since its founding, MBI's main campus has been located in the Near North Side of Chicago. MBI's primary ministries are education,...
.
During these early career years, he also met and married Ruth McKeag. Ruth has devoted her life to her husband and children. Her roles as secretary and research assistant have also been significant, aiding Don in his writing and composition projects.
Hustad taught full-time at Olivet Nazarene College, and part-time at Chicago Evangelistic Institute, Wheaton College
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
, and Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute is a Christian institution of higher education and related ministries that was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Since its founding, MBI's main campus has been located in the Near North Side of Chicago. MBI's primary ministries are education,...
before accepting a full-time appointment as Director of the Sacred Music Department at Moody Bible Institute in 1950. In addition to teaching conducting and working with the Moody Chorale (which achieved international fame under his leadership), he shifted his focus from teaching to administration. Hustad’s philosophy of music education espoused the idea that music at a Bible college should be taught at essentially the same level as music at a conservatory. During his years at Moody, he pursued this goal by strengthening the curriculum and recruiting strong faculty.
Hustad enrolled in Northwestern University’s doctoral program in the fall of 1955. His applied performance areas (organ, choral conducting, and service playing) together with his research projects (the choral works of Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
and the organ works of Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
) augmented his previous experience and training. Hustad’s transition from Director of Music at MBI to full-time organist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is an organization started by Billy Graham in 1950. The main focus of the BGEA is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible...
allowed him to complete his doctorate in 1963.
Although Hustad’s relationship with the Graham team began in the 1940s, his full-time position as Crusade organist did not begin until 1961. His six years in this role also gave Hustad the opportunity to perform on outstanding instruments around the globe, conduct workshops, give lectures, prepare articles for publication, and create a network of friends and associates. Hustad was valued not only for his creative gifts as organist, but also for his knowledge of hymnody, theological insight, and spirit as a “team” member.
During his years at MBI and with the Graham team, Hustad had served as a musical advisor for Hope Publishing Company. Since the 1950s, Hope has published most of Hustad’s choral, vocal, and keyboard compositions and arrangements. Hustad held the position of chief editorial consultant with Hope from 1950 to 1961, although his counsel as a musical advisor for the firm continued for three more decades. His knowledge of hymnody and his understanding of trends in church music helped to guide the development of Hope. Hustad’s catalog includes over 100 octavos and many vocal and keyboard volumes. Among His editorial contributions are fourteen song books and hymnals, as well as dozens of collections.
Hustad’s twenty-year tenure with the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , located in Louisville, Kentucky, is the oldest of the six seminaries affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention . The seminary was founded in 1859, at Greenville, South Carolina. After being closed during the Civil War, it moved in 1877 to Louisville...
began in 1966. This opportunity allowed him to teach courses that paralleled his wide array of interests and offered him flexibility to lecture and perform beyond the seminary. Sabbatical leaves provided time for major writing projects and further study. He also earned diplomas as an Associate of the American Guild of Organists
American Guild of Organists
The American Guild of Organists, or AGO, is a national organization of academic, church, and concert organists in the U.S., headquartered in The Interchurch Center in New York City. It was founded in 1896 as both an educational and service organization...
(AAGO) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
(FRCO), London. His retirement in December 1986 was in fact only semi-retirement, as he continued to teach courses and offer lectures at the seminary for the next two decades.
Beginning with his Moody years, Hustad regularly published articles articulating his insights on church music. Topics ranging from music and worship to gospel hymnody have appeared frequently through the decades. Although his philosophy of church music developed as he matured, its essence was apparent in his early career. At Southern Seminary, he created and taught his signature course, “Music in Worship and Evangelism.” This course gave Hustad the opportunity to synthesize and articulate his views, which ultimately became the manuscript for "Jubilate! Church Music in the Evangelical Tradition." This scholarly work and its extensive revision, Jubilate II, have been instrumental in guiding today’s evangelical church musicians. Hustad’s catalog of written works includes over 100 articles and six books.
“Retirement” from his seminary teaching position in 1987 seemed only to accelerate Hustad’s productivity. The revision of "Jubilate!," a new book—"True Worship," a new hymnal with a Worship Leaders’ Edition and companion, articles, and speaking and performing engagements have kept the Hustads busy. Accolades and honors continue to highlight his significant contributions to evangelical church music. In 1989, he was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada
Hymn Society in the United States and Canada
The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, founded in 1922 as The Hymn Society of America and renamed in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization for those people who:* believe that congregational song is an integral component of worship...
, a national award in recognition of his distinguished services to hymnody. He received an honorary doctorate from Samford University
Samford University
Samford University, founded as Howard College is a private, coeducational, Alabama Baptist Convention-affiliated university located in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It includes the , Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Brock School of Business, Ida V....
in 2006, and in March, 2008, Hustad was honored at the American Choral Director’s Association’s Southern Division Conference for his contributions to church music. He is a National Patron of Delta Omicron
Delta Omicron
Delta Omicron is a co-ed international professional music honors fraternity whose mission is to promote and support excellence in music and musicianship.-History:...
, an international professional music fraternity.