The following are guidelines the committee has used for evaluation both texts and tunes under consideration for inclusion in the new hymnal.
Music Guidelines
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Singable by congregations rather than a soloist
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Preferred range: c-d1
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Rhythmically accessible to congregants
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Fits the text and supports its message
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Well-crafted memorable melody
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Interesting with some predictability but not trite
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Playable by non-professional but trained musicians
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Follows the principles of standard music theory, unless compositional style demands otherwise
Text Guidelines
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Biblical
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Theologically Reformed
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Gender-neutral language for people
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Poetic texts ought to reflect good poetic techniques
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Grammatically correct (with some poetic license)
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Artfully written, not trite or mundane
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Cohesive in thought
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Understandable message (not puzzling to the singer or needing too much unpacking)
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Captures the imagination or results in further reflection
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Communal (we/you not I/me)
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Words fit naturally with selected tune
