Hymn Committee Announces Plans to Update the Hymnal
Diocesan Press Service. April 15, 1974 [74108]
RICHMOND, Va. -- The Hymn Committee of the Standing Commission on Church Music of the Episcopal Church recently met at St. Paul's Church in Richmond, Va., under the direction of the chairman, Raymond F. Glover, organist and choirmaster at St. Paul's. Other members present were the Ven. Frederic P. Williams, Archdeacon of Indianapolis; the Rev. Marion J. Hatchett, University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn.; and Mr. Franklin G. Coleman of Kent School, Kent, Conn.
Paramount on their agenda was the ongoing work of the Commission's newly published supplement to the Hymnal, "Songs for Liturgy and More Hymns and Spiritual Songs," and the inauguration of the Commission's work in response to the mandate of the General Convention, that "they prepare a report on a revised Hymnal. "
As a first step in the Commission's response to this directive and in an attempt to further their work in the support of the musical needs of the Church, the Hymn Committee is seeking to update the Hymnal to serve more adequately the present needs of the Church.
A statement issued by the Committee reads: "We recognize that some of the better texts in the Hymnal are rarely used because they have been found to have been provided with tunes which are no longer practical. In other cases certain texts might gain further use if provided with alternate tunes. We feel that an expanded usage of the Hymnal would be achieved by the addition of an appendix which contains alternate tunes. "
It is the desire of the Committee that this appendix be published in a form that will allow it to be easily added to the back of the present hymnal and that it be included in all future printings of the book.
Suggestions for alternate tunes to be used in a possible supplement to the Hymnal should he sent, by September 30, 1974, to Mr. Raymond F. Glover, Chairman, Committee on Hymns, 815 East Grace Street, Richmond, Va. 23219. Manuscripts, unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope, cannot be returned.
Further, the Committee will soon appoint seven persons from various parts of the country to assist them in the preparation of this Hymnal appendix.