A Selected Bibliography for AGO Certification Preparation

This list of recommended publications relating to preparation for AGO professional

certification is provided for your information. In addition to these materials, prospective
candidates will find other useful resources supplied by AGO Headquarters. Many of
these books contain extensive bibliographies themselves. Several excellent works known
to be out of print are indicated as such. In these cases, the Committee on Professional
Certification feels these works are important enough to be included here: candidates with
access to libraries and inter-library loan may be able to obtain them, and used copies are
often found in the marketplace.

I. GENERAL MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE (ChM, AAGO, FAGO)

A. Music History

Brown, Howard Meyer. Music in the Renaissance. Prentice-Hall, 1976.

Buelow, George J. A History of Baroque Music. Bloomington: Indiana University Press,
2004.
Burkholder, J. Peter, Donald J. Grout, and Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western
Music, 7th edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2006.
Burkholder, J. Peter, and Claude V. Palisca, eds. Norton Anthology of Western Music,
5th edition. 2 vols. New York: W. W. Norton, 2006.
Crocker, Richard. A History of Musical Style. Dover, 1986.
Hoppin, Richard. Medieval Music. Norton, 1978.
Morgan, Robert P. Twentieth-Century Music: A History of Musical Style in Modern
Europe and America. New York: W. W. Norton, 1991.
Palisca, Claude. Baroque Music. Prentice-Hall, 1991.
Plantinga, Leon. Romantic Music. Norton, 1984.
Ratner, Leonard. Classic Music—Expression, Form and Style. Schirmer, 1972.
Rosen, Charles. The Classical Style: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. Expanded edition. New
York: W. W. Norton, 1997.
Sadie, Stanley, and John Tyrrell, eds. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and
Musicians. 2nd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Watkins, Glenn. Soundings: Music in the Twentieth Century. New York: Schirmer
Books, 1988.
Wold, Milo, Gary Martin, James Miller, and Edmund Cykler. An Outline History of
Western Music. 9th edition. McGraw-Hill, 1997.

B. Organ History and Literature (AAGO, FAGO)

Arnold, Corliss. Organ Literature: A Comprehensive Survey. 2 vols., 3rd edition.

Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1995.
Douglass, Fenner. The Language of the Classical French Organ. Revised and expanded
ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1995.
Kratzenstein, Marilou. Survey of Organ Literature and Editions. Ames: Iowa State
University Press, 1980.
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Snyder, Kerala J., ed. The Organ as a Mirror of Its Time. New York: Oxford University
Press, 2002.
Thistlethwaite, Nicholas, and Geoffrey Webber, eds. The Cambridge Companion to the
Organ. Cambridge, 1998.
Williams, Peter. A New History of the Organ. Bloomington: Indiana University Press,
1980.
Williams, Peter and Barbara Owen. The Organ. (The New Grove Musical Instruments
Series, ed. Stanley Sadie.) New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1988.

C. Choral Literature (ChM, AAGO, FAGO)

Long, Kenneth. Music of the English Church. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1972.
Robinson, Ray, ed. Choral Music: a Norton Historical Anthology. New York: W. W.
Norton, 1978.
Ulrich, Homer. A Survey of Choral Music. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1973.

D. Historical Performance Practice (CAGO, ChM, AAGO, FAGO)

Brown, Howard, and Stanley Sadie, eds. Performance Practice (2 vols.). New York:
Norton, 1990.
Faulkner, Quentin. J.S. Bach’s keyboard technique: a historical introduction. St. Louis:
Concordia, 1984.
Ferguson, Howard. Keyboard interpretation from the 14th to the 19th century: an
introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 1975, 1987.
Laukvik, Jon. Historical Performance Practice in Organ Playing. Tr. Brigitte and Michael
Harris. Stuttgart: Carus Verlag, 1996.
Ritchie, George and George Stauffer. Organ Technique - Modern & Early. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2001.

II. KEYBOARD SKILLS (CAGO, AAGO, FAGO)

A. Figured Bass (AAGO, FAGO)

Christensen, Jesper Bøje. 18th-Century Continuo Playing: a Historical Guide to the

Basics. Kassel: Bärenreiter BA 8177, 2002.
Handel, G. F., ed. David Ledbetter. Continuo Playing According to Handel: His Figured
Bass Exercises. (Early Music Series No. 12.) London: Oxford, 1990.
Keller, Hermann. Thoroughbass Method. New York: W. W. Norton, 1965. [Known to
be out of print, 2009.]
Morris, Reginald O. Figured Harmony at the Keyboard. London: Oxford University
Press, 1933.
Williams, Peter. Figured Bass Accompaniment (2 vols.). Edinburgh: Edinburgh
University Press, 1970. [Known to be out of print, 2009.]
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B. Harmonization, Modulation and Improvisation (CAGO, AAGO, FAGO)

Berkowitz, Sol. Improvisation Through Keyboard Harmony. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:

Prentice-Hall, 1975.
Brings, Allen, et al. A New Approach to Keyboard Harmony. New York: W. W.
Norton, 1979.
Dupré, Marcel. Cours Complet d’Improvisation a l’Orgue. Tr. Alain Hobbs, 1957.
Paris: Alphonse Leduc, 1925.
Frackenpohl, Arthur. Harmonization at the Piano. Dubuque: Wm. C. Brown, 1985.
Hancock, Gerre. Improvising: How to Master the Art. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1994.
Hunt, Reginald. Harmony at the Keyboard. London: Oxford University Press, 1970.
Johns, Michele. Hymn Improvisation. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1987.
Krapf, Gerhard. Bach: Improvised Ornamentation and Keyboard Cadences. Dayton,
OH: Sacred Music Press, 1983.
Krapf, Gerhard. Organ Improvisation. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1967.
Overduin, Jan. Making music: improvisation for organists. New York : Oxford
University Press, 1998.
Rogg, Lionel. Improvisation Course for Organists. Fleurier, Switzerland: Schola
Cantorum, 1988.
Shumway, Stanley. Harmony and Ear Training at the Keyboard. McGraw-Hill, 1984.
Wittlich, Gary, and Deborah Martin. Tonal Harmony for the Keyboard. New York:
Schirmer Books, 1989. [Known to be out of print, 2009.]

C. Score Reading (FAGO)

Bach, J.S. 185 Four-part Chorales. New York: Lea Pocket Scores, 1955. Reprinted by
Kalmus.
Bernstein, Martin. Score Reading. New York: M. Witmark & Sons, 1932, 1947.
Creuzburg, Heinrich. Partiturspiel; ein Übungsbuch in vier Bänden. Mainz: B. Schotts
Söhne, 1956.
Morris, Reginald O., and Howard Ferguson. Preparatory Excercises in Score Reading.
London: Oxford University Press, 1931.
Melcher, Robert A. and Willard Warch. Music for Score Reading. Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1971.
Taylor, Eric. Playing from an Orchestral Score. London: Oxford University Press, 1967.
Taylor, Eric. An Introduction to Score Playing. London: Oxford University Press, 1970.
Lang, Craig Sellars. Score Reading Exercises, Books I and II. Novello, 1959.
Wilkinson, P. 100 Score Reading Exercises. Novello.

D. Transposition (AAGO, FAGO)

Lang, Craig Sellars. Exercises for Organists, Book II. Novello, 1952.
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E. Arranging Piano Accompaniments for the Organ (FAGO)

Buck, Dudley. Choir Accompaniment. Wayne Leupold Editions WL800002.

Ellingford, Herbert. The Art of Transcribing for the Organ. Wayne Leupold Editions
WL800001.

F. Hymn Playing (SPC, CAGO)

Heller, David. Manual on Hymn Playing: A Handbook for Organists. Chicago: GIA
Publications, 1992.
Lovelace, Austin. The Organist and Hymn-Playing. Agape, 1981.
Rotermund, Donald. Off the Page: Tips & Techniques for Creating Hymn-Based Organ
Settings. Fenton, MO:Morning Star Music Publishers, 2007.

G. Sight Reading (All Levels)

Howells, Herbert. Miniatures for Organ. Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
and Kevin Mayhew, 1993.

III. EAR TRAINING (ChM, AAGO, FAGO)

Damschroder, David. Listen and Sing: Lessons in Ear-Training and Sight-Singing.

Schirmer Books, 1995.
Krueger, Carol. Progressive Sight Singing. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
MacGAMUT. MacGAMUT Music Software, Inc. http://www.macgamut.com/
Practica Musica. Ars Nova Software http://www.ars-nova.com/

IV. MUSIC THEORY

A. Harmony (CAGO, AAGO, FAGO)

Aldwell, Edward, and Carl Schachter. Harmony and Voice Leading. 3rd Edition. New
York: Schirmer Books, 2002.
Kostka, Stefan, and Dorothy Payne. Tonal Harmony with an Introduction to Twentieth
Century Music. 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Laitz, Steven G. The Complete Musician: an Integrated Approach to Tonal Theory,
Analysis, and Listening. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Piston, Walter. Harmony. Rev. Mark DeVoto. New York: Norton, 1987.
Roig-Francoli, Miguel. Harmony in Context. McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2003.

B. Musical Form and Analysis (AAGO)

Berry, Wallace. Form in Music. 2nd Edition. Prentice-Hall, 1985.

Burkhart, Charles. Anthology for Musical Analysis. 6th Edition. New York: Schirmer
Books, 2003.
 AGO Certification Bibliography – Page 5

Caplin, William. Classical form: a theory of formal functions for the instrumental music
of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Green, Douglass. Form in Tonal Music: 2nd Edition. New York: Schirmer Books, 1979.
Hepokoski, James, and Warren Darcy. Elements of sonata theory: norms, types, and
deformations in the late-eighteenth-century sonata. New York: Oxford University
Press, 2006.
Tovey, Donald. Essays in Musical Analysis. 3 vols. New York: Oxford University Press,
1989.

C. 18th Century (Baroque) Counterpoint (AAGO, FAGO)

Benjamin, Thomas. The Craft of Tonal Counterpoint. New York: Routledge, 2003.
Gauldin, Robert. A Practical Approach to 18th-Century Counterpoint. Waveland Press,
1995.
Oldroyd, George. The Technique and Spirit of Fugue. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1948.

D. 16th Century (Renaissance) Counterpoint (FAGO)

Benjamin, Thomas. The Craft of Modal Counterpoint: A Practical Approach. New York:
Routledge, 2005.
Gauldin, Robert. A Practical Approach to 16th-Century Counterpoint. Prentice-Hall,
1988.
Jeppesen, Knud. Counterpoint: the polyphonic vocal style of the sixteenth century. New
York: Dover, 1992.
Schubert, Peter. Modal Counterpoint, Renaissance Style. 2nd Edition. New York: Oxford
University Press, 2007.
Soderlund, Gustave. Direct Approach to Counterpoint in 16th Century Style. Appleton-
Century-Crofts, 1947.

E. Orchestration (FAGO)

Adler, Samuel. The Study of Orchestration, 3rd edition. New York: W. W. Norton, 2002.
Kennan, Kent, and Donald Grantham. The Technique of Orchestration. 6th Edition;
includes CD. Prentice-Hall, 2002.
Piston, Walter. Orchestration. New York: Norton, 1955.

F. Composition (AAGO, FAGO)

Toch, Ernst. The Shaping Forces in Music: An Inquiry into the Nature of Harmony,
Melody, Counterpoint and Form. Dover, 1990.
Warburton, Annie O. Melody Writing and Analysis. Longman Group, 1991.

G. 20th Century Theory

Straus, Josef N. Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory, 3rd edition. Prentice-Hall, 2005.

 AGO Certification Bibliography – Page 6

Further resources concerning music theory may also be accessed in publications of the
Society for Music Theory, www.societymusictheory.org.

V. OTHER CHOIRMASTER TOPICS

A. Gregorian Chant

Berry, Mary. Plainsong for Everyone. RSCM, 1987.

Herbert, Rembert. Entrances: Gregorian Chant in Daily Life. Church Publishing, 1999.
Hiley, David. Western Plainchant. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.
Pugsley, Betty and Richard. The Sound Eternal (2 vols.). Paraclete, 1987.

B. Choral Conducting and Technique

Bertalot, John. Immediately Practical Tips for Choral Directors. Augsburg Fortress, 1994.
Decker, Harold. Choral Conducting: A Symposium. Prentice-Hall, 1973.
Ehmann, Wilhelm. Choral Directing. Augsburg, 1968.
Ehmann, Wilhelm, and Frauke Haasemann. Voice Building for Choirs. Hinshaw Music,
1982.
Hill, David, and Hilary Lyston-Jones. Giving Voice. Mayhew, 1995.
Miller, Richard. The Structure of Singing; System and Art in Vocal Technique. New
York: Schirmer Books, 1986.
Neuen, Donald. Choral Concepts: a Text for Conductors. New York: Schirmer Books,
2002.
Robinson, Ray, and Allen Winold. The Choral Experience: Literature, Materials, and
Methods. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 1992.

C. Hymnology

Eskew, Harry, and Hugh McElrath. Sing with Understanding—An Introduction to

Christian Hymnology. 2nd Edition. Genevox Music Group, 1995.
Glover, Ray, ed. The Hymnal 1982 Companion (4 vols.). Church Publishing, 1990.
Lovelace, Austin. The Anatomy of Hymnody. GIA, 1965.
Routley, Erik. The Music of Christian Hymns. GIA, 1979.
Routley, Erik. Christian Hymns Observed. Prestige Pub. Inc., 1982
Watson, J.R. The English Hymn (A Critical and Historical Study). New York: Oxford
University Press, 1997.

Further resources concerning hymnody may also be accessed in publications of the Hymn
Society of the United States and Canada, www.thehymnsociety.org/.

D. Liturgy

Jones, Wainright, and Yarnold, eds. The Study of Liturgy. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1978.
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Harper, John. The Forms and Orders of Western Liturgy. Clarendon Press, 1991.
Westermeyer, Paul. Te Deum: The Church and Music. Augsburg Fortress, 1998.
White, James. Introduction to Christian Worship. Abingdon, 1990.