Bookmark
The Hymn Society's website and visit it often! You'll find recent news, links of interest, the Society's publications,
information on scholarships and grants, and more.
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Members of The Hymn Society enjoy free access to the
Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology and other resources through our website. Access the CDH by logging in to our
website and then clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
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If you shop for books and gifts on Amazon, you can help support
The Hymn Society. A percentage of your purchases will be sent to the Society. Every bit helps! Go to The Hymn Society's page at
AmazonSmile.
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Did you know
Hymnary.org
allows anyone to add a hymnal or edit an existing hymnal? There is some training involved, which takes an estimated 2-4 hours. The training information may be found in our wiki.
There are also other volunteer tasks that would be welcome, such as writing biographies, adding full texts, or adding audio files.
Thanks,
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Dear Members and Friends,
As is likely the case for many of you, the work of ministry has kept me busy on the weekends through nearly all of my adult life. Since beginning work at The Hymn Society last August, however, I have had many more free weekends and have taken advantage of the opportunity to worship and sing in a wide variety of styles with many different communities representing various denominations.
These past months have allowed me to revel in the diversity of hymns, songs, singers, instruments, and musical styles that are manifested in the singing of God's people at worship.
In the midst of all that rich diversity, the Center for Congregational Song is inviting your community to participate in
A Cappella Sunday on March 10, the date on which many churches will be celebrating the First Sunday of Lent. It's easy to be part of this international observance. See below for more detailed information.
Why should you take part? Here are my top three reasons:
3. For congregations that never sing without accompaniment, the experience of a cappella singing can be startling and offer an opportunity to reflect on the power of singing together.
2. When singing without instruments, members of the congregation can often hear the corporate sound far more powerfully.
1. Congregational singing is first of all
singing
. Instruments are great, but always secondary to the voices that sing.
As many of our communities prepare for the most sacred celebrations of the year, we extend best wishes for corporate song that "s
hapes faith, heals brokenness, transforms lives, and renews peace."
Sing a new song!
J. Michael McMahon
Executive Director
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Conference Feature: Festivals
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We've got an exciting lineup of five Hymn Festivals during our Annual Conference. Let's see what's in store!
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First up is our opening festival at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church on
Sunday evening with t
wo of Dallas' top local hymn festival leaders:
Thomas Pavlechko (of Christ the King Catholic Church) and Michael Conrady (of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church).
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With two organs in the space and two organist/composers leading together, who knows what will happen!
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Next is composer, workshop facilitator, author, and mischief maker
Ana Hernandez, who will lead us at Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Plano, TX on
Monday evening. An expert in chant and meditation, lately she's been working with groups to practice listening at deeper levels, dismantle racism, and to remind people they are beloved of God.
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Hosted at the iconic Meyerson Symphony Center,
Tuesday evening's festival will feature the Notre Dame Children's Choir under the direction of nationally recognized director Mark Doerries. The NDCC will be joined by a
mass choir of children ages 9-17.
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On the organ will be internationally renowned Kansas City-based organist
Jan Kraybill
. This festival will be co-sponsored by the Organ Historical Society.
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On Wednesday, f
ormer Minister of Music of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia Tony McNeill will lead this hymn festival featuring the use of the Hammond B-3 organ.
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Our final festival on Thursday morning is being planned and facilitated by Hymn Society Past President John Thornburg, FHS along with our 2016 Emerging Scholar winner Marissa Glynias Moore.
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Focusing on what it means to borrow songs from other times, places, and cultures, the festival will include guest appearances from many Hymn Society members as they share stories and songs.
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This year's Annual Conference will be hosted on the lovely campus of
The University of Texas at Dallas
from
July 14-18
.
Register now
! All information, such as schedule, logistics and scholarships opportunities can be found on our website at
https://thehymnsociety.org/event/
.
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Canterbury Highlights from C. Michael Hawn
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Increase your knowledge of congregational song!
Each month,
Michael Hawn, FHS
, USA Editor, suggests two articles that you might find of interest. Read and enjoy!
Know your Fellows:
Which is the only couple elected as fellows (FHS, '46)?
Hymn Society member access is found at the bottom of the Members page reached after logging in to our website.
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For Churches in Times of Crisis
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In light of the recent gatherings in the Roman Catholic and United Methodist churches, we recognize that many of our members and the communities they serve may be hurting, concerned for the future, and wondering how to move forward. As we offer support and encouragement, we also remind you of our free online collection of Hymns in Times of Crisis, which can be accessed here.
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A Cappella Sunday is March 10!
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A Cappella Sunday is when worshiping communities across the United States and Canada commit to singing a cappella in their Sunday morning worship service. For communities where this is a new concept, it could just be one hymn, but for communities that are more comfortable singing unaccompanied, they are encouraged to sing their entire service a cappella. To read some reasons why we do this, to see who is participating, or to add your church to that list, click here.
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Call for Canadian Hymn Tune Writers
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The Summer Institute of Church Music in Canada is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. In connection with their celebrations, a new hymn text, True Source of Love, has been written for which they are seeking new tunes. "We would welcome submissions of original tunes set for SATB congregation, but also more modern-sounding tunes with accompaniment, and praise-style songs and Taizé-style short cyclical refrains (that may set only a portion of the complete text) - all genres welcome." Submissions are open to Canadians and landed immigrants and must be received by April 15. Full details here.
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New Book Analyzing Hymn Texts
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40 Favorite Hymns on the Christian Life: A Closer Look at Their Spiritual and Poetic Meaning is being released today by P&R Publishing Co. "This anthology of great hymns invites us to experience these works as poems--to slow down and savor their well-turned phrases, their surprising metaphors, and their evocative language. English professor Leland Ryken provides historical background and literary analysis for each hymn, finishing each with a Scripture reading to accompany it. The result is a wonderfully devotional and poetic study of the Christian life, drawing on hymns such as 'Holy, Holy, Holy,' 'Be Thou My Vision,' 'In Christ Alone,' and many more." To learn more or to buy the book, click here.
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Hymn Article in the Washington Post
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Past President Jacque Jones passed along this article she encountered about one man's campaign to include the hymn "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" more frequently at public events during Black History Month.
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Hymnals for Sale by Paul Powell, FHS
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Paul R. Powell, FHS, is offering his 400+ hymnals and related books for sale by bid. He would be especially pleased for the collection to go to a college or seminary that teaches hymnology, or to a serious collector, rather than a bookseller. Among the rare items are a 1598 edition of the Sternhold & Hopkins Psalter, a 1726 edition of the Genevan Psalter, 1782 and 1798 editions of Watts's Psalms and Hymns, 1781 and 1791 German psalters published in America, and a first-edition, second printing of Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second (photocopied title page but otherwise complete). The bulk of items are American, including 41 oblong tunebooks and 26 oblong Sunday School and temperance tunebooks (several of which are in either 4- or 7-shape notation), 89 hymnals and psalters from the 19th century, 187 from the 20th century, and 71 hymnology and liturgical books. Contact Paul at [email protected] for a complete listing. Bids will be accepted through March 2019. If no acceptable bid is received by March 31, individual items or groupings will be offered for sale at specific prices. At least 10% of the proceeds will be contributed to The Hymn Society.
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Available: Hardback hymnals - Sing to the Lord, ©1993 Lillenas Publishing Co., 4th printing. Books are in great condition, though they do have a church name embossed on the front cover. There are 45 copies, plus two large-print "words only" copies. Please contact Tina Riedel at [email protected] if interested.
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Hymn Search - Songs for the Holy Other
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The Hymn Society is seeking hymns and songs for Songs for the Holy Other, a new collection for those seeking to embrace queerness through congregational song. By bringing together pieces that address queer experiences, Songs for the Holy Other will help communities celebrate the diversity already present in their spaces and work towards full welcome of people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Submissions are due by April 15, 2019. For more information, or to submit a hymn, click here.
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2019 Hymn Festival Search
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As part of The Hymn Society's ongoing commitment to the enrichment of congregational song, the Executive Committee has announced a search for an outline and script for a hymn festival focused on the theme of welcome towards refugees and immigrants. The winning entry will be announced at our July 2019 conference in Dallas, Texas. A prize of $500 will be offered to the winning entry. All entries are expected to follow the search guidelines and must be received by The Hymn Society by May 15, 2019 in order to be considered. For full details, click here.
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Wheaton College Seeks Professor/Chaplain
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Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL is seeking an individual to fill the role of Associate Professor of Music and Associate Chaplain for Worship Arts. To see the full job posting and get additional information, click here.
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Duke Chapel Seeks Music Director
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Duke Chapel in Durham, NC has an opening for their Director of Chapel Music. Read the job description and apply here.
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LDS Church Accepting Submissions for New Hymnal
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Fred Voros shares the following on the development of a new hymnal for
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon):
Details on how to submit are
here. The deadline for submissions is
July 1, 2019.
The submission portal is
here. You do not need to be a member of the LDS Church to submit, but you do need to create an LDS Church online account.
For reference, the current LDS hymnal can be found
here. Those who submit entries should in particular be aware that LDS convention is to use King James pronouns ("thee," "thou," etc.) to refer to God. This may change in the new hymnal, but that is unlikely.
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Upcoming Events Involving Members
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March 10, 2019 --
The Center for Congregational Song is promoting A Cappella Sunday, a day in which churches feature a cappella singing during their worship services. More information can be found
here
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--Update: There are currently just five (5) spots left! Register now!--
October 5, 2019 -- The Center for Congregational Song is hosting a student workshop in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada.
October 19, 2019 -- The Center for Congregational Song is hosting an evening worship workshop at Burke Presbyterian in Burke, VA.
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Margaret Nickerson, Marilyn Parolini, and
Norma Sondgeroth (The Hymn Society T-shirt ladies) led a "Twelfth Night Carol Sing" on January 4, 2019 for members of the Aurora University community. Attendees included faculty and staff, alumni, and friends of the university and provided an inspirational conclusion to the Christmas Season.
The carol sing was planned at the suggestion of Rebecca Sherrick, President of Aurora University (Aurora, IL), and it is anticipated that this will become an annual event. Margaret, Marilyn and Norma are graduates of Aurora University.
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Nancy Graham will be presenting a paper at the Christian Congregational Music Conference in Oxford this coming July. The subject is Using Paperless Music in Urban Settings.
Sida Roberts shares the news that
Amanda Husberg has been in rehab since last autumn. Her legs became infected and she needed hospitalization, then further nursing attention. Even though still in rehab, she would enjoy hearing from her Hymn Society friends. Messages can be sent to: 230 Powers St. Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Fred Schumacher of Cincinnatti, OH passed away on January 29. Condolences may be left for the family
here.
We love hearing about what you are doing! Don't forget to let us know by sending an email to [email protected] with your updates. |
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The Center for Congregational Song
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Make sure you're keeping up with all the exciting new programs being offered through The Center for Congregational Song! For more information about The Center, upcoming events hosted by the Center, and to explore all that we have to offer, go to
www.congregationalsong.org.
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The Hymn Society in the US and Canada | 800-THE-HYMN (800-843-4966)
5 Thomas Circle, NW, 4th Floor
Planning a hymn festival? Need help with background information on hymns? Looking for a hymn on a particular topic? Let us know how we can assist you in your ministry to encourage, promote, and enliven congregational song.
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Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved.
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