Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, whose hymn-writing career took off fifty years ago with the publication of the hymn 'Tell out my soul', has written words specially for a composition competition organised by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). Aspiring church music composers are asked to set three verses of a new text from Bishop Timothy which begins "How shall we sing salvation's song".
In previous years, entrants for the annual Harold Smart Composition Competition have often had to compose an anthem, but this year the genre is hymnody, and marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of the first Hymns Ancient and Modern. Information about how to enter, including Bishop Timothy's complete text, is available on the RSCM website at www.rscm.com/haroldsmart. The closing date is 1st October 2011, and the competition will be adjudicated by a panel which includes the hymn composer John Barnard. The winner will receive a prize of £500; their hymn may also be showcased in a special service in London to mark the 150th anniversary celebrations of Hymns Ancient and Modern.
Further information about the competition including how to enter can be downloaded from the RSCM website, www.rscm.com.
Posted: Fri 18th March 2011