Carlton Raymond Young

Carlton Raymond “Sam” Young (1926–2023) was an American United Methodist church musician, composer, arranger, hymnal editor, teacher, and hymnologist. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, on April 25, 1926, he began piano study in childhood and later trained at the Cincinnati College of Music and the University of Cincinnati, earning a bachelor of music education degree in 1950. He completed theological study at Boston University School of Theology in 1953 and pursued further study in New York and Europe.

Young's career joined congregational music, publishing, education, and denominational leadership. He worked in church-music publishing for Abingdon Press and Hope Publishing Company and became especially important in Methodist hymnal development. He served as music editor for the 1966 Methodist hymnal and as music editor of The United Methodist Hymnal published in 1989. His work required both historical knowledge of hymnody and practical judgment about tunes, harmonizations, and congregational singing.

As a composer and arranger, Young contributed hymn tunes, choral music, organ music, and harmonizations used across American church repertories. His tune BEGINNINGS was created for Brian Wren's modern hymn text and became one of the best-known pairings in The United Methodist Hymnal. He also wrote, arranged, or harmonized many other pieces for congregational use. Belmont University preserves a Carlton “Sam” Young Collection containing hymnals, books, and other materials he donated for research.

Young received recognition from professional hymn and music organizations during his long career. He died in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 21, 2023. His legacy rests particularly on the intersection of Methodist worship, hymnal editing, composition, and the teaching of congregational song.