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 The Verse
A monthly newsletter |
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The Hymn Society
in the United States and Canada
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August 2015
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July was a tremendous month for hymns! We had a grand time in New Orleans for our own annual conference and then enjoyed our "once every six years" joint international hymn conference in Cambridge, England. There will be a full report on both conferences in the Autumn issue of The Hymn, but some photos from Cambridge are included below.
The best news for July was that we named Brian Hehn as the first Director of The Center for Congregational Song! Brian will start officially in September but has already gotten a start on some of his duties. We're going to keep him VERY busy!!
I hope you're enjoying this last month of summer and maybe a more relaxed schedule than during other times of the year. Sherry and I are both taking vacations during August, but you can be sure we'll pick back up with lots of activity and energy in September! Here's a hint of our plans . . .
Keep singing ---
Deb Deborah Loftis |
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Lifting Hearts - Joining Hands - Raising Voices: The Campaign for The Center for Congregational
S ong Here we go! We have our first Director of The Center for Congregational Song!! Brian Hehn assumes his responsibilities in September and will dive into an array of activities -- next year's conference, regional gatherings already being planned, website updates -- and probably other projects we've not even imagined yet. You can read a little more about Brian on our website.  We still have plenty of work to do before The Center is ready for a full launch, but we're on our way with excellent leadership. Are you ready to join in?
If you are interested in sharing your talents in the "Lifting Hearts, Joining Hands, Raising Voices" campaign, please contact Joanne Reynolds at jsreynoldscb@q.com. |
A Call for 2016 Sectional Proposals The clock is ticking! Deadlines approach! Don't delay -- submit your idea for a sectional during our next annual conference!
We are accepting proposals for sectional (break-out) presentations for the 2016 conference in Redlands, CA July 17-21, 2016. The theme, "Formed in Faith, Shaped by Song" will give us opportunity to examine how congregational song helps to shape our faith and spiritual development. Sessions focused on children, youth, and senior adults are especially fitting, but we will cover a broad spectrum of topics in our sectionals so all proposals are welcome. Presentations should be no more than 60 minutes in length. Please fill out the online proposal form located on our website, or click on this link to go directly to the proposal form. Sectional proposals
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Future Conference Dates and Locations Put the future dates of our summer conference on your calendar now -- July 17-21, 2016 -- University of Redlands, California: "Formed in Faith, Shaped by Song"
July 16-20, 2017 -- Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, Ontario.
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Nominations for 2016 Executive Committee
Nominations for the future open positions on the Executive Committee should be sent to Geoffrey Moore, President-Elect, no later than November 1, 2015. gcmoore@flash.net
Please contact the person you are nominating and get permission to nominate them. Positions open: President-Elect - 2 year term, to become President in 2018 Treasurer - 2 year term Member at Large - 3 year term |
International Hymn Conference in Cambridge, England
Our three HSUSC lecturers: Robin Knowles Wallace, Kenneth Hull, Geoffrey Moore. Our Hymn Festival Leaders included these three plus Jan Kraybill and Deb Loftis   A group of the HSUSC participants. 37 of our members attended the conference.  There were about 155 attendees at the conference from 20 different countries. By the numbers: 1 gala dinner with John Rutter as speaker 1 organ recital 2 outings (Ely Cathedral and Choral Evensong, Cambridge walking tour) 3 services of Communion/Eucharist/Mass 3 hymn festivals 4 services of Morning Worship
6 sectionals 10 lectures Innumerable engaging questions, friendly conversation, and hearty laughter!! Next time around, HSUSC will host the gathering! |
WELS Hymnal Project
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) has formed a hymnal project committee, with the goal of releasing the church body's next hymnal in the early 2020s. Those wishing to submit hymns for consideration are welcome to do so at www.welshymnal.com, where the "public submissions" form allows materials to be submitted as attached files. Soon the committee will also release texts and guidelines as it solicits musical settings of the divine service (the main canticles of the historic liturgy). Composers interested in receiving this information and submitting settings for consideration are invited to write to contact@welshymnal.com. Attached here are two documents with further information: Cover letter to composers Texts and Guidelines |
New United Methodist Hymnal Endorsed
NASHVILLE, TN -The United Methodist Publishing House and Discipleship Ministries (the General Board of Discipleship) announce that their respective boards have endorsed legislation to be submitted to the 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church that, if approved, would begin the process of developing a new official hymnal and provide for ongoing revision of the hymnal in the future. A new hymnal collection would be offered to the 2020 General Conference for approval and be available to congregations and communities of faith upon final approval.
For more information:
http://unitedmethodistreporter.com/2015/07/31/new-united-methodist-hymnal-endorsed/
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Hymnals Available
A large number of copies of Glory & Praise, 2nd ed, are offered as a donation-- including Assembly and Choir editions, Piano, and Guitar accompaniments. See the attached flyer for more details Glory & Praise
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Web-based Resources
Tony Alonso has written a pastoral article for the journal Liturgy on musical styles in worship: http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/rarUzITSsCzvAQMyUAkr/full
Pam McAllister writes a blog on hymn histories and meditations, Ask Her About Hymn(s). A recent entry was devoted to a report on our conference in New Orleans: http://askherabouthymn.com/what-was-missing-from-the-hymn-society-conference/
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New Contests and Hymn Searches
The Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians (CRCCM) announces a competition for newly composed settings of the proper texts of the Entrance and Communion Antiphons with psalm verses from the Roman Missal (pub. 2010) for the Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass is usually celebrated in a diocese during holy week in the cathedral church. During the liturgy the sacred oils used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, the sick and holy orders are blest. A single prize of $1,500 USD will be awarded for the winning settings. The texts are to be scored for congregation, choir, organ and optional instruments. Submission deadline is November 30, 2015. A detailed explanation of the contest rules, full texts, instrumentation and submission requirements can be found at www.crccm.org As part of the 125th Anniversary Celebrations of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, an International Hymn Competition is being held to find a new celebratory Pauline hymn. The terms and conditions of the Competition are published here: http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au/music/st_pauls_cathedral_125th_anniversary_hymn_competition |
Continuing Hymn and Psalm Contests
In an effort to encourage Psalm-singing, Church of the Servant invites congregational songwriters to submit a Psalm-based song to its 2015 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, 2015. The song will be premiered in worship on January 31, 2016. 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. This contest is made possible by a generous donation in memory of Ben Fackler, who loved all things musical. Full contest rules may be found at: http://www.churchoftheservantcrc.org/2015-cos-new-psalm-contest/ You may also download a pdf of the contest details here. Contest Rules
The Bethlehem Music Series, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave. South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55410 announces a Hymn Writing Competition to open its 34th Season.. The hymn tune must be original, not previously performed, not published, and must be suited for festival worship. The text may be original or pre-existing and it should contain a praise and celebration theme.
A cash prize of $500.00 will we awarded the winner and the winning hymn will be premiered at a Hymn Festival on Sunday, October 11, 2015- 4:00 pm. This hymn festival (Let All the Earth Rejoice) will be led by renowned organ improviser and composer, Dr. Aaron David Miller.
Deadline for submission of manuscripts is July 30, 2015 and should be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope mailed to the above, attention to Maria Bucka, Director of Music. All entrants will be notified on the final decision. Depending on the submissions, we reserve the right to not name a winner.
Any questions may be directed to Maria at 612-312-3411 or mbucka@bethlehem-church.org
Macalester Plymouth United Church of Saint Paul, MN announces their 2015 hymn contest: a search for a hymn that celebrates the language of love, inclusiveness, commitment, and the love God has for the union of all people regardless of gender.
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News of Members
Tony Alonso was asked to compose the musical setting of the Responsorial Psalm for the first Mass Pope Francis will celebrate in the United States. The bilingual setting of Psalm 96, "Cuenten las Maravillas del Seņor / Proclaim to All the Nations" will be sung at the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C on September 23, 2015. David Gambrell was interviewed by Dr. Jeannine Jordan in her email newsletter of August 1. The interview can be found on her website: www.promotionmusic.org
We mourn the passing of Life Member, James M. Dunn, who died July 4, 2015. Dr. Dunn was a renown ethicist, preacher and religious liberty advocate. A copy of his memorial service is attached here. Dunn Memorial
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