The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada

NEWS BITS
“2012 Hymnic Anniversaries” compiled by Carl P. Daw Jr., FHS is now available on this site. Have a look.

The Hymn Society has opened a new hymn search: Unity in Diversity. Entries are due April 30, 2012. Get the info packet.
Calvin College Seminars:

“Singing What We Believe: Theology and Hymn Texts” will led by Bert Polman, June 18-22, 2012. More information at http://www.calvin.edu/scs/2012/seminars/polman/.

“Globalization and Worship: Soundings from the Worldwide Church” led by Charles Farhadian, July 23-Aug. 3, 2012. More information at http://www.calvin.edu/scs/2012/seminars/farhadian/.

United Theological Seminary calls for new hymns/songs on renewal in the twenty-first century Christian church, congregation, and community. This competition will search for hymns/songs in three distinct categories: (1) new text and tune, (2) new music for traditional hymn/song texts, (3) new hymn text for traditional hymn tune. Click for more information.

Founded in 1922, The Hymn Society was formerly known as The Hymn Society of America, but the name of the organization was changed in 1991 to The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.

The Hymn Society is for those who

believe that congregational song is an integral component of worship
believe that the writing and singing of new texts and tunes needs to be promoted
value learning about the origins of the words and music they sing

Member Benefits

THE HYMN

As a member of The Hymn Society, you receive a subscription to this respected quarterly journal of research and opinion, containing both practical and scholarly articles. THE HYMN provides exemplary hymn texts and tunes in various styles and reflects diverse cultural, ethnic, and theological identities. Interviews, reviews of publications and recordings, historical studies, suggestions for and reports of hymn festivals, and current news provide readers with helpful information.

The Stanza

This semiannual newsletter brings you news of Hymn Society events and of members’ activities, a forum for opinions and requests for information, and advance announcements of contests, programs, lectures, and hymn festivals.

Annual Conference

People like you who love, use, and create congregational song come

Click to see Photos from the 2002 Conference

together for about four days each summer to learn, to sing, and to study. Pastors, musicians, scholars, poets, composers, and other hymn lovers will find themselves inspired and rejuvenated by workshops, hymn festivals, lectures, discussion groups, and morning and evening worship. Click on the title to learn more about this year’s Conference.

Workshops

In addition to various sectionals at the annual conference, The Hymn Society regularly sponsors special weekend or half-week workshops to improve skills in hymn writing (both words and music) and in hymn playing. The opportunity to work with respected and well-known leaders will help you develop your skills.

Tours

Hymnological tours conducted by The Hymn Society will take you to different parts of the world to visit sites of historic importance in hymnody. These tours frequently provide opportunities to experience hymn singing in other countries and to attend related conferences and concerts.

Book Service

The Hymn Society Book Service offers you a large selection of hymnals, hymnal supplements, and hymnal companions, representing all denominations, ethnic, and cultural groups, including current Spanish-language publications. The Book Service order form contained in each issue of THE HYMN also includes a wide range of books, recordings, and videos related to the past, present, and future of congregational song. You may also browse The Book Service online.

New Hymns

The Hymn Society sponsors searches for new hymns on subjects of current interest and need. Within the specific guidelines for each search, we welcome diverse styles of words and music.

Support for a Non-profit organization

Your membership supports all the efforts of The Hymn Society in the promotion and development of congregational song: research to gain a fresh appreciation of the past, conferences and publications to provide current awareness and appreciation of the ongoing heritage of sacred song, and workshops and hymn searches to identify and enhance resources for the future.

Membership

Learn more about who benefits through membership in The Hymn Society, and find instructions on how to apply for membership.

Communicating with The Hymn Society Staff

The Executive Director, Deborah Carlton Loftis, is usually in the office between 9:00am and 5:00pm ET, Monday through Friday. She would be glad to speak with you via the toll-free telephone number 1-800-THE HYMN (1-800-843-4966), or you may send her a message at deb@thehymnsociety.org.