Hymn-booklets by Student Congregations 1960-2020

• Applicant: Dr. Elisabeth Fillmann
• Subject Area: Roman Catholic Theology ; Protestant Theology ; German Literary and Cultural Studies (Modern German Literature) ; Musicology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 572912257

Numerous student or university congregations have since the second half of the 20th century, compiled their own hymn-booklets for in-house use, both as a supplement to or in place of the official hymnbooks of their own denominations. The hypothesis to be scrutinized in this project is that these autonomous products, beside their function in supporting group identity, exist also as either a supplement or a counter-concept or, when forthcoming hymn material is received, as a precursor to the subsequent hymnbooks (Gotteslob, Evangelisches Gesangbuch). In a cyclic movement, such publications have resulted in the emergence of a nationwide students’ hymnbook. The period examined is from the 1960s until the beginning of pandemic restrictions in 2020. Within this period a number of changes take place. Amongst others, the students’ movement, the peace movement, a growing ecological awareness and the second and third feminist movement are included. In addition, there is ecclesiological change, as evidenced by the Second Vatican Council, which has facilitated enormous liturgical development; grass-roots ecumenical endeavours increased; in hymnody the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Ökumenisches Liedgut – working group for ecumenical hymn-sources – (AÖL) was founded. New musical styles in hymns evolved, as the Tutzing hymn-contest – “Danke” – indicates: NGL (Neues Geistliches Lied – new spiritual song), the acceptance of spirituals and gospel-songs and Taizé-songs, and more. Feminist theology was further developed, and liberation theology was to become an influence. Hymn-booklets published by student congregations mirror societal phenomena, contemporary (church) history, theology and culture, especially musical practice. The supposition that these publications were avant garde through the inclusion of first print material and served as catalysts for transformation will be reassessed. These hymn-booklets are indisputably valuable sources. However, they have not been comprehensively reviewed and documented until now. These publications have not been sufficiently archived and catalogued, and are thus subject to loss, in part due to the temporary membership of the authoring students in the relevant congregations and their inherently instable character. In pursuing this research, the project aims to keep records of the ephemeral media and enter all relevant data into the Hymnological Database (HDB), and thereafter subject the manifestations and their contents to analysis. As many hymn-booklets as is feasible will be digitized. Thus the objective of this research is as well related to the preservation of the genre’s example documents, as to the analysis and description of the phenomenology, production, reception, and function of the hymn-booklets of student congregations. The database allows for synopses and recognition of patterns. Visualised results from the data generated and a monographic overview will give access to the findings to academia and the interested public.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants