David Warren Steel

STEEL, David Warren. b. Evanston, Illinois, 20 September 1947. Distinguished scholar of USA folk hymnody, Steel was raised in Scotia, New York, attended Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts,  (AB, 1968) and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, (AM, 1976, PhD, 1982). While a special student at Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, he worked on English adaptations of chant. His neo-Mozarabic ‘Missa Toletana’ was published in Congregational Music for Eucharist (New York, 1980), from which the ‘Gloria’ was included in H82 (New York, 1985).  Steel’s interest in Shape-note hymnody* began in 1972 whilst attending Sacred Harp* singings. These experiences led to...