Lifting Hearts - Joining Hands - Raising Voices: The Campaign for The Center for Congregational
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This past weekend a love offering was collected at the Sunday afternoon hymn festival in Boston and over $400 was given to the Endowment Fund. Have you considered hosting a hymn festival in your area? It might be an excellent way to build awareness of The Hymn Society in your community and make a gift to the campaign! If this sounds like a good idea to you, please contact Deb and discuss the details.
If you haven't made a pledge or gift yet, there's still time. You can give online or call us to talk about other options. Together we can accomplish much to encourage, promote, and enliven congregational song.
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2016 Annual Conference in Redlands, California Introducing Plenary Speaker John Witvliet  John D. Witvliet is director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and associate professor of music and worship at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary, respectively. He also teaches in the religion department at Calvin College. His areas of interest include the history of Christian worship, worship practices in various denominations, biblical and systematic theology of worship, the role of music and the arts in worship, and consulting with churches on worship renewal.
Dr. Witvliet is the author of a number of books, including the forthcoming volume from Eerdmans, The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Ecumenical Introduction and Guide to Resources. He is editor of A Child Shall Lead: Children in Worship (Choristers Guild, 1999). and serves as editor for two books series-the "Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies Series" (Eerdmans) and "Vital Worship, Healthy Congregations" (Alban Institute)-as well as co-editor, with Pearl Shangkuan, of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Music Series (GIA). For more information see: https://internal.calvinseminary.edu/aboutUs/facultyStaff/jwitvlie.php
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Hymn Society Annual Fund Our goal this year is $25,000. As you are planning your end of year charitable giving, please consider a gift to the Society's Annual Fund. These gifts help us with ongoing expenses in our operating budget. We welcome checks, phone calls to give by credit card, or online donations. To give online on our website, select "Get Involved" and choose "Donate." You'll see a tab for Annual Fund.
Thank you in advance for your generous spirit!!
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Hymns in Times of Crisis - A New ResourceThroughout 2015, a task group led by Past President John Ambrose has been working to compile a group of texts that speak directly to difficult times in our communities. When tragedy strikes, we often find ourselves at a loss for words to express our sorrow, rage, and helplessness. When a community needs to gather, congregational song can be a powerful force to help us express what we cannot articulate ourselves. It can be a healing, unifying force.
Understanding that in such circumstances, worship services or prayer vigils must be planned on very short notice, the task group members, Rebecca Abbot, Lisa Hancock, Marilyn Haskel, Richard Leach, John Thornburg, and Adam Tice reviewed over 200 text submissions and selected a collection of 53 recently written hymns so that worship planners might have appropriate resources gathered in one place.
Scott Shorney and Sue Gilbert at Hope Publishing Company worked with all the copyright holders of these texts to secure permissions for use. The publishers, authors, and composers have graciously granted permission for any of the hymns in this collection to be used at no royalty cost for 2 months following a crisis and at any memorial or remembrance service held within 1 year of the event. These texts may also be used for personal devotion and group discussion. If your church, community, or a member of your community is experiencing a time of crisis due to violence, natural disaster, death or family struggles, or any other time when singing these songs can help, this collection of hymns may be downloaded from The Hymn Society's website www.thehymnsociety.org at no charge. We will stay in touch with those who download the collection to see if the texts have been helpful and to offer further assistance. Please help us spread the word on the availability of this new resource. We also appreciate feedback you might offer.
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Raising the Song Symposium
At the end of October, 13 participants (including at least four former Lovelace Scholars) gathered at Virginia Theological Seminary to learn the art of song leading from Alice Parker, FHS, Marilyn Haskel, and Ysaye Barnwell in an inspiring symposium full of folks who believe in the power and importance of community song. Each participant has been charged to start a project spreading what they've learned, and will gather again next October to share and see what's next. Our thanks to Bill Roberts of VTS, and Ellen Johnston for the vision to create the symposium and grants from the Calvin Institute for Worship, Melodious Accord and Virginia Theological Seminary that provided the funds for the event. Colleen Toole has written a fuller report on the Symposium if you'd like to know more. Report
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Amazon Smile  Are you in a shopping mood? Need to buy books or other gifts? Remember that you can support The Hymn Society each time to buy books and products through Amazon. Enter the site through Amazon Smile, register The Hymn Society as your charity, and then enjoy your purchases even more, knowing that a percentage will come to us as a result.
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Reviews of Hymn-Based Compositions
Thanks this month to Beau Surratt for reviews of hymn-based choral compositions. Surratt Reviews
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Hymn Society Hymn Search
As part of The Hymn Society's ongoing commitment to the enrichment of congregational song and in anticipation of the 2016 conference "Formed in Faith, Shaped by Song" the Executive Committee has announced a search for a theologically rich hymn or song that engages the theme of the role of congregational singing in faith formation. The winning entry will be premiered at our 2016 conference in Redlands, California. An effective entry in this hymn search will address how singing as a part of a faith community shapes faith through various stages of life. The prize for the winning entry will be $500. Submissions must be received in The Hymn Society office by May 15, 2016. See the attachments for the full announcement, guidelines and entry form.
Announcement Guidelines Entry Form |
Continuing Hymn and Psalm Contests
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
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. See the attached document for full description and contest rules. The prize is $500. Hymns must be postmarked by December 31, 2015.
contest information and rules
Reformation -- 500th Anniversary Search
"We are searching everywhere for poets," shared Martin Luther in a letter to a friend, "so that the Word of God may be among the people also in the form of music" (AE 49:68).
Centuries later, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is looking for rising, talented writers too! Our hymn competition in honor of the Reformation's 500th anniversary is your opportunity to create a brand new hymn text that will bless the Church around the world. Join the ranks of Reformation hymn writers Martin Luther, Paul Speratus, and Elizabeth Cruciger with an original entry that reflects the historic purpose of Christian hymns: a proclamation of the Word, teaching the faith, and praise to God.
Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 announces a Hymn Writing Competition for a new hymn (text and tune) to celebrate its 100th anniversary in October 2016. The hymn text and tune must be original, suited for praise and celebration for a centennial worship service. A cash prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the winner (author-composer) or equally divided between an author and composer team. The hymn will be premiered on Sunday, October 23, 2016. Submissions must be e-mailed or postmarked by May 1, 2016. Contact: Robert Moncrief, Minister of Music and Organist, at Rmoncrief@fairmountchurch.org or 216-321-5800 (ext.135).
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News of Members
Congratulations to Larry Wolz upon his retirement from Hardin-Simmons University. At a university reception on October 23, it was announced that the Smith Music Library would include the Larry Wolz Rare Book Room.
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Recent Events
October 18, 2015 - "Creating Hymns for the Joy of Singing"
Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto. Distinguished Canadian composer Ruth Watson Henderson collaborated with the Rev. David McKane to illustrate the interplay of words and music in hymn creation. They discussed and gave examples of the many ways in which the music can set the mood and enhance the words." Attendees were engaged and involved in the process of hymn writing and matching text with music. The program was sponsored by the Southern Ontario Chapter of The Hymn Society (SOCHS)
October 18, 2015 - "The Songs of Luke" hymn festival was held in Lorain, OH, led by Brian Wentzel and the choir of First Lutheran Church. October 18 is the festival of St. Luke, and at this afternoon hymn festival the first two chapters of Luke were read, with pauses to sing the songs contained therein - Magnificat, Benedictus, Gloria, and Nunc Dimittis - along with related hymns and commentary. The festival was held at St. Peter's Catholic Church due to a recent fire at First Lutheran.
October 23-24, 2015 - Deborah Loftis led a weekend course for Wake Forest Divinity School, in Winston Salem, NC "Wait - you want ME to lead the singing?: Pastoral Leadership and Congregational Song." Deb is deeply grateful to Adam Tice and John Thornburg who taught a portion of the class by Skype and to Sally Ann Morris, Musician in Residence at Wake Forest Divinity School, and Mary Louise Bringle who joined her "live" to assist in teaching.
October 24, 2015 - A Hymn festival, "Let the Songs of the LORD Rise Among Us! Hymns and Songs of the Church Year" was led by Mary Louise Bringle and Sally Ann Morris at Highland Presbyterian Church, Winston Salem, NC with Deborah Loftis assisting.
November 1, 2015 - Program of Music for the Liturgy of Christian Burial,
St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 547 Washington Street, Norwood, MA. Led by Kirk Hartung, this program was designed to help individuals and families choose appropriate and meaningful music for funerals.
November 7-8, 2015 - "Mayflower to Marathon: 400 Years of Boston-based Psalms, Hymns & Patriotic Songs" Held on Saturday at Old West Church, UMC in downtown Boston and on Sunday afternoon at Christ Church Andover, MA. Jointly sponsored by The Hymn Society and the Boston AGO, HSUSC leaders were Cheryl Boots, R. Harrison Kelton, Kirk and Diane Hartung, Deborah Loftis, Daniel McKinley, Thomas L. Baynham, Jr., Edward J. Frazier, Jr., Joanne Reynolds, Carl P. Daw, Jr., FHS, and Carol Doran. Boston AGO leaders included Robert Barney, Jane O'Keefe, and Peter Krasinski, Dean. William Billings also attended! The final hymn was a revision of Carl Daw's text, "When Sudden Terror Tears Apart" which was reworked in 2013 to respond to the Boston Marathon bombing. Carol Doran premiered a stunning new tune for the text, TIMELESS KYRIE, which can be found at hopepublishing.com.
November 9, 2015 - Tina Schneider presented "Bind Us Together: Collections of Congregational Song Made Known," to the Lima, Ohio AGO. The meeting was held in the library on the campus of Ohio State University at Lima. She gave an overview of The Hymn Society's work, focusing on the DNAH collection and Hymnary.org.
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Upcoming Events
January 31, 2016 -- "Made in Michigan" a festival featuring authors/composers born in or living in Michigan, will be presented at St. Adelbert's Basilica, 654 Davis Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI at 7:30 pm, led by Emily Brink, FHS. The festival is co-sponsored by The Hymn Society and the Grand Rapids Chapter of the AGO.
February 27, 2016 -- The Southern Ontario Chapter of The Hymn Society will welcome Dan Damon, distinguished writer, composer, theologian, and clinician, to speak on "Justice in Hymnody" at Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. The event is co-sponsored by the Department of Continuing Education of Emmanuel College.
February 27, 2016 - "Singing with the Spirit," a workshop featuring national and local clinicians with tracks for pastors, music ministers, worship leaders, and keyboard players and a closing hymn festival, will be presented at Vienna Baptist Church, 541 Marshall Road, SW, Vienna, VA. CJ Redden-Liota is Music Minister at the church and host for the event. For more information, contact Brian Hehn brian@thehymnsociety.orgApril 2, 2016 - "Children Sing the World's Faith" an all-day event for children's choir with hymn festival open to the public at 3 pm. Brian Hehn will be the clinician. Location: Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Rd N Chesterfield, VA 2323. Contact Andrea Baxter for more information. abaxter@trinitylansdale.com
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