block logo of The Hymn SocietyThe Verse

                                               A monthly newsletter

The Hymn Society

in the United States and Canada


June 2012
In This Issue
McElrath-Eskew Research Fund
News of Members
2012 Summer Conference
Recent Hymn Festivals
Hymn-Based Choral Reviews
Continuing Hymn Contest
Quick Links
Greetings!

 

The countdown has started! Our summer conference in Winnipeg is only 18 days away.  We're excited that we have 225 registrants and hope that you're among them!  If you can't join us this year, I hope you'll go ahead and put July 14-18, 2013 on your calendar when we'll gather in Richmond, Virginia. 

 

The office will be close on July 9 and reopen on July 23.  Thanks for your patience as we travel to Canada and back.  Book Service orders will be filled as quickly as possible!

  

Meanwhile, keep singing!!

 

Deb

Deborah Loftis

 

Applications for the McElrath-Eskew Research Fund   

 

Applications are due by September 30, 2012.  You will find the guidelines on the website under the Research tab.  The grants are open to both beginning and experienced researchers. 
 

News of Members

 

Congratulations to John Ambrose, President-Elect of The Hymn Society, who recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination in the United Church of Canada. Additionally he was honored by the Mayor and Council of the City of Mississauga with a Civic Award for over 30 years of volunteer service to cultural and arts groups. 

2012 Summer Conference -- THE MEETING PLACE -- July 15-19

 

If you haven't yet registered, you still have a few days to do so.  Housing is limited; check with the Hymn Society office to see if there is room in Pembina Hall.  

 

2012 conference logo
Register now

 

Tuesday evening's gathering will be a delightful experience!  "An Evening with Antiphony" will give you an opportunity to hear a very fine young adult

a cappella ensemble from Winnipeg.  You can hear some samples of their music, covering a very wide range of styles, on YouTube.  There's a brief video there describing how the group was formed in 2008.  You will also find some selections from their recent performances. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcRfaNKyTKs    Their music embodies the efforts of one group of singers to be a "meeting place."  Our evening will close with a new Alleluia by John Bell.  

 

 

Recent Hymn Festivals 

 

March 1-2, 2012 -- Corban University Music Department presented their 12th annual Hymn Festival, "The Incarnate Word" at First Presbyterian Church, Salem, OR. The festival was planned and led by the chair of the music department, Dan Shuholm, assisted by Virginia Cross

 

May 13, 2012 -- A festival of hymns by Edith Sinclair Downing from her collection, Sing Praise for Faithful Women was presented by First  Congregational Church, River Edge, NJ.  Narrations were provided by Edith's daughter, Meredith Downing. Gloria Norton, is Director of Music.

 

May 20, 2012 -- At Epiphany Luthern Church in Pickerington, OH, ALCM Columbus: Cantor Connection presented a hymn festival entitled, "Through the Church the Song Goes On" to celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary.  It also included the premiere of a new hymn by Susan Cherwien, "What Joyous Song Unfolding." 

 

May 27, 2012 -- First Presbyterian Church, Ponca City, OK, presented a hymn festival for Pentecost, led by pastor, Bruce L. Taylor.  Background notes on each of the hymns is provided.

   

 

Hymn-Based Choral Music Reviews

 

Many of you are familiar with the reviews of choral and instrumental music that appear in the review section of THE HYMN.  We are trying a new approach in an effort to get reviews to you more quickly and also to have the space for more detailed reviews.  Sida Roberts will still be providing the reviews but they'll be posted here as pdf files that you may read, download or print.  Enjoy!!

Choral Reviews

Continuing Hymn Contest

 

Macalester Plymouth United Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, announces the seventeenth annual international contest for English language hymn writers. It is our 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.  Our 2012 contest will be a search for hymns that address the scriptural call to speak out loudly and clearly against injustice, and to unite with others working for change. Entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2012.  Macalester Plymouth Hymn Contest details can be found at: www.macalesterplymouth.org or call (651) 698-8871