Hymn Competition: "That All May Be One"

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the Friars of the Atonement are sponsoring a competition for two liturgical songs in preparation for the centennial observance in 2008 of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. These songs are also intended to be sung at the 2007 NPM National Convention, at which the theme will be “That All May Be One.”

Composers and text writers are invited to submit entries in one or both of the following categories:

* a new text and tune (refrain and verses) appropriate for singing during the Communion procession or the administration of the sacrament;
* a new hymn text that may be sung using one or more familiar tunes.

Communion Song
1. The text is intended primarily for Eucharistic celebrations, especially during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and on other occasions that celebrate unity. It should be appropriate for singing during the Communion procession or the distribution of the elements.
2. The text is to have the structure of a refrain for the congregation and verses for choir or cantor.
3. The text of the refrain must incorporate or be based on the verse “That all may be one” (John 17:21).
4. Both refrain and verses are to be drawn from or based on biblical texts.
5. A unison setting is to be provided for both refrain and verses but may also incorporate optional parts for the choir.
6. Organ/keyboard accompaniment is to be provided but additional optional instrumental parts may also be included.
7. Entries may be submitted by a single person or by a team of text writer and composer.
8. Entries must be postmarked no later than November 30, 2006, accompanied by an entry fee of $5.00 payable to NPM.
9. A cash prize of $1,500 will be presented to the winner. The judges reserve the right not to select any of the entries. The decision of the judges will be final.
10. Entrants agree that if their entry is selected, copyright will be assigned to the Friars of the Atonement and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

Hymn Text
1. The text is intended primarily for celebrations of unity, especially the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
2. The text is to have the structure of a strophic hymn, using the same meter in each stanza.
3. The text of the hymn must incorporate or be based on the verse “That all may be one” (John 17:21).
4. The text is to be written in such a way that it may be sung to one or more familiar tunes. The author may indicate a suggestion for the most appropriate commonly used tune.
5. Entries must be postmarked no later than November 30, 2006, accompanied by an entry fee of $5.00 payable to NPM.
6. A cash prize of $1,000 will be presented to the winner. The judges reserve the right not to select any of the entries. The decision of the judges will be final.
7. Entrants agree that if their entry is selected, copyright will be assigned to the Friars of the Atonement and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

Sending Entries
Please send all entries no later than November 30, 2006 to:

Hymn Competition

National Association of Pastoral Musicians

962 Wayne Avenue, Suite 210

Silver Spring , MD 20910