Hymn-Writing Contest 2012
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things” (Ps. 98:1).
Shenandoah Christian Music Camp is pleased to announce its first Hymn Contest. We invite amateur poets and composers to participate in a contest to write a new hymn text and tune. We welcome contestants outside of the SCMC student group, and encourage free distribution of this invitation to all interested persons.
Our primary goal is to stimulate God-given creativity to issue into the “new song” which each generation owes its Redeemer. We wish to provide an outlet for skills and inspiration gained at camp, as well as to nurture the hymn-singing traditions of the conservative Anabaptist churches.
Terms for the contest are given below. The winning composition will be presented at the 2012 camp.
Submissions and questions should be directed to the SCMC Hymn Committee.
email: hymncontest@musiccamp.info
mail: Shenandoah Christian Music Camp, PO Box 6, Singers Glen, VA 22850.
Stage 1: Text Search
Congratulations to James Troyer, who wrote the winning text for the Hymn Contest!
God Never Sows in Vain
God never sows in vain a fertile seed,
Nor buries pearls He later cannot find;
He never makes a thing He does not need,
Nor having made that thing, will change His mind.
He never leaves the tides of life to chance,
But with a Father-love begets each soul,
And measures every changing circumstance
To make His image, in each person, whole.
None like the Master knows the servant heart;
None like the Maker knows the frame of man;
None like the Savior understands the part
Of every life in God's eternal plan.
James Troyer, 2011
Stage 2: Composer’s Competition
We invite contestants to set to music the winning text given above.
Deadline
Composition entries must be submitted to the Hymn Committee by March 1, 2012.
Composition Guidelines
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Form: Use strong and simple melodies. Use primarily four-part, common practice harmonization.
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Style: Aim for congregational suitability. If possible, try it out with a congregation or choral group before submitting it.
Award
The winning composition will be awarded $300. Rights will be shared by SCMC and the composer. The Hymn Committee is not required to select an entry if no acceptable entries are submitted.