Peter J Mercer-Taylor

Peter J Mercer-Taylor, a Professor of Musicology at the School of Music within the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, specializes in the intersection of 19th-century German classical tradition, American hymnody, and contemporary popular music. His work bridges historical and modern musical practices through rigorous scholarship and digital humanities projects.

• Education:
  • B.A., Amherst College
  • M.A., University of California, Berkeley
  • Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Mercer-Taylor’s research spans three primary areas: the works of Felix Mendelssohn, the evolution of 19th-century American hymnody, and the analysis of contemporary popular music by artists such as the Bangles, Elvis Costello, and R.E.M. His exploration of classical music’s influence on American hymnody is exemplified by the digital anthology AmericanClassicalHymns.com, supported by a 2020 NEH-Mellon Fellowship.

Scientific Awards:

• NEH-Mellon Fellowship for Digital Publication (2020)

A dedicated academic, Mercer-Taylor has presented at numerous conferences, contributed to major journals, and authored or edited significant publications, including The Life of Mendelssohn and The Cambridge Companion to Mendelssohn. He currently serves as Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Music.