Centennial Collection Nominations Request

As part of The Hymn Society’s centennial celebration in 2022, we are curating a collection of congregational hymns, songs, and choruses that will launch us into our second century. This collection will speak to the needs of the contemporary church, but also be prospective and prophetic. Its focus will be the theme of community.

The global pandemic and climate change are but two of many crises that have vividly reminded us that we are all connected, that we are all part of the fabric of Creation, and that we need each other. The awareness of our need for community—the challenges that community presents, the threats that it faces, and what will nurture and strengthen community in its broadest sense—is a theme which will continue to be vital in our singing life.

This collection will showcase a variety of voices, cultures, forms, and languages. Melodies should be singable and text should use inclusive language, language that addresses or describes both humanity and God. In an effort to be forward-looking and inclusive, this collection will include hymns, songs, and choruses that are paperless or best taught using audio/visual aids. Submissions that use audio/visual aids must include either a music score or written text.

All nominations are expected to follow the search guidelines and must be received by The Hymn Society by September 15, 2021, in order to be considered. The committee reserves the right not to include nominations that do not adequately fulfill the criteria of the search.

The collection will be presented at the Centennial Celebration in the summer of 2022.

Submissions are now closed. Thank you to all who recommended selections for this collection.