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 The Verse
A monthly newsletter |
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The Hymn Society
in the United States and Canada | August 2011 |
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Greetings!
As the summer draws to a close, our attention turns to new beginnings of school and church classes in autumn. The fall semester will start at Baptist Theological Seminary just after Labor Day and I've been busy with lesson plans and rehearsal schedules. I'm reminded that hymns can be an effective part of my teaching--hymn texts can be used to introduce a topic for discussion or a devotional time and many hymn tunes make good vocal warmups. I no longer direct a children's choir, but if you do, I hope you're including hymns regularly in your sessions. How are you using hymns beyond your Sunday morning worship? Sincerely, Deb Deborah Loftis 
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News from Lovelace Scholars
Becky Hoeksema, from Calvin Theological Seminary and one of our current Lovelace Scholars, posted a blog entry about her Hymn Society experience. You can read about it at Singing our Theology Thanks, Becky!
Congratulations to T. Wes Moore, another of this summer's Lovelace Scholars, who recently started a new post as Director Music Ministries at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Shreveport, LA.
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Call for proposals for 2012 Summer Conference
"The Meeting Place: Sharing our Songs" will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, July 15-19, 2012 and will focus on the ways that song brings us together across ethnic and cultural divides.
We've received a number of proposals already, but there's still time for you to submit your ideas for sectionals and discussion groups! Next year's theme is "The Meeting Place: Sharing our Songs." Mail or email your proposal to the Hymn Society office no later than October 1. (Sooner if you can!) Selections will be made by the Executive Committee during October.
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Hymn Query
Does anyone recognize the hymn referred to in this query? If so, please contact the office so I can pass the information along. Thanks!!
"I heard a hymn on a live gospel broadcast out of Princeton, WV about five years ago. It dealt with a person who happened upon an old, abandoned church. Upon entering he found a Bible and/or hymnal and felt inspired and renewed despite the condition of that particular church."
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More Hymns for the 10th anniversary of September 11
We have had a number of requests for the pamphlet of twelve texts published by The Hymn Society in 2002 entitled Songs of Remembrance: Hymns for the Commemoration of September 11, 2001. This pamphlet was included in THE HYMN (Summer 2002). If you need a copy, you may contact the office and we will send a pdf version by return email. Printed copies are also available. The original copyright permission agreement has expired; you will need to contact the individual copyright holders to obtain permission to reproduce these texts.
A new interfaith hymn text suitable for 9/11 services and prayer events is available from Houston church musician Howard Maple. His three-stanza text centers a round the "still, small voice of God in the midst of devastation" biblical passage, (1Kings, ch.19) and includes references to light and peace that are found in both the Bible and the Qur'an. For an emailed PDF file with congregational bulletin insert pages and organ harmonizations for two hymn tune options, contact Howard at howardmaple@sbcglobal.net He is offering permission to make free copies for one-time use at all services on the September 11, 2011 weekend.
Also check our Facebook page or the Hymn Text section of the Bulletin Boards on our website to find a new hymn by Andrew Pratt. It is also offered at no charge for congregations.
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| Hymn Contests
Church of the Servant is proud to announce its 2011 New Psalm Contest. Last year we had 64 submissions from all around the world, ultimately choosing Zac Hicks' "All People" as the winner. We hope this year's contest will stimulate another round of excellent Psalm settings. In an effort to encourage Psalm-singing, Church of the Servant invites congregational songwriters to submit a Psalm-based song to its 2011 COS New Psalm Contest. The winner will receive a $500 award. There is no entry fee and the contest is open to all. Submissions must be emailed or postmarked by October 1, 2011. The song will be premiered in worship on January 29, 2012. Church of the Servant is a Christian Reformed Church with a rich history of encouraging the arts in worship. Its worship is Reformed, liturgical, participatory, eclectic, and open to creative new worship expressions. The contest is made possible by a generous donation in memory of Ben Fackler, who loved all things musical. For complete contest rules see: http://www.churchoftheservantcrc.org/2011-cos-new-psalm-contestTo download the PDF brochure: http://www.churchoftheservantcrc.org/files/2011_COS_new_psalm_contest.pdfWe trust you will share this announcement broadly. It is a wonderful opportunity for composers and we hope it will ultimately be of great benefit to the Church as well. If you have any questions or would like to suggest others who may be interested in receiving this announcement, please contact Greg Scheer, music@churchoftheservantcrc.org.
Macalester Plymouth United Church of St. Paul, Minnesota, announces a sixteenth international contest for English language hymn writers. It is the congregation's understanding that hymns can motivate the church to be more actively involved in social reform, a vital part of its ministry. It carries a prize of $500 for the winning entry. The 2011 contest will be a search for hymns that express dismay over the growing gap between rich and poor and call the church to action to work for greater economic equality. Please visit their website for contest details or call (651) 698-8871. Entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2011. You will find more details on the Hymn Society website as well.
Pascack Reformed Church in Park Ridge, New Jersey announces a contest for English language hymn writers. The church celebrates the 200th anniversary of its inception from September 2012- 2013. The theme of the anniversary celebration comes from the first two and last two verses of Psalm 90:
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us, and establish the work of our hands upon us;
Yes; establish the work of our hands.
The contest carries a prize of $250 for the winning entry. This is a search for both new text and music. Entrants should provide four copies of each hymn which should not include the entrant's name. The hymn should, however, be titled at the top of each page. Please provide a cover letter with your name, address, telephone number, and the title(s) of your entry or entries. All entries will be acknowledged within two weeks of receipt.
All entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2012. The judges will arrive at their decision by March 31, 2012, and their decision is final. The winning hymn will be announced by April 30, 2013. Copyright for the winning hymn will be retained by its composer(s), but the author(s) agree to permit the use of this hymn by Pascack Reformed Church in Park Ridge in perpetuity.
Please send entries and correspondence to:
Hymn Contest
Pascack Reformed Church
65 Pascack Road
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
E-mail: pascackreformedchurch@verizon.net
Web site: www.pascackreformedchurch.org
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Organ Pedagogy Conference in New York
The American Guild of Organists (AGO) and the Eastman School of Music are partnering to produce the 16th biennial AGO National Conference on Organ Pedagogy, November 10-13, 2011, in Rochester, NY. The conference, designed in cooperation betwee the AGO Committee on Continuing Professional Education and the 10th annual Eastman ROchester Organi Initiative (EROI Festival, will present the topic of organ improvisation through a variety of compositional techniques and styles. Complete information, including online registration is available online
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Recent Hymn Festivals
June 5, 2011 -- "Easter Hymn Festival" was held at First Lutheran Church in Lorain, OH. Led by Brian Wentzel, Director of Music, the singing was supported by the organ, adult choir, handbell choir, trumpets, and the Guitar Group of First Lutheran.
August 21, 2011 -- "A Hymnological Journey Through the Church Year" was presented by Kelly Tennille Grooms at Yanceville Christian Church, Louisa, VA.
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Special tribute for Alice Parker, FHS
On October 13-16, 2011, a special tribute for Alice Parker, Fellow of The Hymn Society, will be held at Tinity Church, Wall Street, New York, NY. Her magnum opus, Songs for Eve, for vocal quartet and string quartet is going to be performed. The text is by poet Archibald MacLeish. Alice will lead a Hymn Sing that same weekend. A Facebook site will be up and running soon. For more details, contact Marilyn Haskel at this corrected email address: mhaskel3@nyc.rr.com My apologies for the error, Marilyn!
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Upcoming Events
September 6, 2011 -- "Sing a New Song: Recent Trends in Hymnody" will be the subject of a program of information and hymn singing for the Richmond, VA chapter of the AGO, led by Deb Loftis. The program will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Richmond, David Sinden, Organist and Minister of Music at the church, will play for the 7:30 pm event.
September 25, 2011 -- The Portland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ (FOKO) will join forces at 3 pm in Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME, for the first of many centenary events celebrating the Kotzschmar Organ and its vibrant history and significance in the cultural life of Portland throughout its century. Over 250 singers from choirs throughout Maine will provide the core for some great hymn singing and anthems all accompanied by the Kotzschmar Organ and brass quintet. The event is free and open to the public. Donations at the door graciously accepted. For further information to www.foko.org or call 207-553-4363. Thanks to Matile Hugo for suppling this information.
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