The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada

02/04/2026

SINGING THE VIGIL OF EASTER
Ecumenical Perspectives on Congregational Song
Tuesday, February 10 | 2:00 pm ET

Join us for the fourth and final installment of The Hymn Society's webinar series, "Singing the Services of Holy Week." Clinicians Megan Mash (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chapel Hill) and David Anderson (GIA Publications) will share practical approaches for bringing meaningful song to the Easter Vigil in both formal and informal worship settings.

Registration: $20 members | $25 non-members | $10 students
Series packages available at a discount.
Information and registration: https://thehymnsociety.org/webinar-series-holy-week/

01/23/2026

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Join us this summer for The Hymn Society Annual Conference in Princeton, New Jersey.

The program will explore the relationship between congregational song and some of the most pressing issues of our time, including ecology, sustainability, and disability. Plenary speakers include Keri Day, Miriam Spies, and Nate Stucky. Evening hymn festivals will be led by Mark Miller, FHS, Myron Sauder, Jerome Weaver, Marcell Silva Steuernagel, and Braxton Shelley.

New features include: a mini-hymn sing before lunch each day; an opportunity to reflect on sustainability and ecological justice at PTS’s Farminary with a morning of work and song; an organ masterclass; an opportunity to tour the impressive hymnological collection at the seminary library; and the contributions of songwriter-in-residence Ken Medema.

Information and registration at https://thehymnsociety.org/event/

The Hymn Society Annual Conference is the premier event on congregational singing each year. Join our singing, learning, and meaningful conversations.

12/30/2025

We were saddened to learn of the death earlier today of Richard Smallwood at the age of 77. He was one of the towering figures in Gospel music as a church musician, songwriter, leader, and performer. His contributions to congregational song include “Center of My Joy,” “I Love the Lord,” and “Total Praise.” We give thanks for his life and legacy. May his memory be eternal. Read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Smallwood_(musician)

12/24/2025

As we celebrate Christmas, leaders of congregational song offer to our communities the gift of singing together. We sing of One born into poverty in an occupied land, whose family fled their own country to seek refuge. In a world still beset by conflict, injustice, and exclusion, we boldly sing of God's peace, God's righteousness, and God's favor for those who are reviled, excluded, and forgotten.

Through this singing, we play a vital role in proclaiming and celebrating the good news that God dwells with us. May the songs we lift this season inspire us and those we serve to embody God's love, light, and justice in the world.

On behalf of the Executive Committee and staff of The Hymn Society, warm wishes for a joyful Christmas and a New Year filled with harmony, hope, and abundant grace. In our singing and our living, may we all be bearers of peace and reconciliation in the world.

12/21/2025

Check out this delightful online interview with hymnwriter, composer, theologian and Roman Catholic priest Jan Michael Joncas, FHS. Joncas is the author of six books, more than 250 articles, and more than 300 published pieces of liturgical music.

This interview was the fortieth conversation in our "100 Years of Song" series," now in its fifth year. All forty of the interviews may be found on The Hymn Society's YouTube channel. Click on the following link to view this most recent interview:
https://youtu.be/ygn68dVFyTg?si=SoNWEwVGNHJoflgv

12/15/2025

Join us today, Monday, December 15, at 1:00 pm ET, for an online interview with Jan Michael Joncas, FHS. Michael is a Roman Catholic priest and holds a doctorate in liturgical studies from the Pontificio Istituto Liturgico of the Ateneo S. Anselmo in Rome. Since 1991 he has taught in graduate programs at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN; St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN; the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN; and the Angelicum University, Rome, Italy, among other institutions. He is the author of six books and more than 250 scholarly articles. He is also a prolific composer and hymn writer with more than 300 published works of liturgical music.

This is the fourth in our 2025-26 Fellows Interview Series—nine conversations with respected leaders of congregational song.

Today’s interview is a free webinar, but registration is required. You can find complete information on the interview series and register for today’s interview here: https://thehymnsociety.org/100-years-of-song-interview-series/

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving to our U.S. members who are celebrating today!

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.

"And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;
teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:15-17)

11/12/2025

If you’re in the Boston area, please help us spread the word about this hymn festival taking place next Friday, November 21, at Old South Church and co-sponsored by The Hymn Society, the Boston Chapter of the AGO, and Discipleship Ministries of the UMC. Admission is free, so just bring your voice and join us in singing freedom!

11/04/2025

💕 Our hearts are full.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in, donated, and sang along at the Songs for the Holy Other Telethon! You well exceeded our original goal, and raised just over $7,000 for the recording project. We are immensely grateful to all of you for your generosity and enthusiastic support of this project.

Missed it? Catch the replay on YouTube and give anytime:
📺 YouTube → tinyurl.com/SFTHOtelethon
💖 Donate → tinyurl.com/SFTHOdonate

11/03/2025

We’re LIVE! 🎤

📺 YouTube Live → tinyurl.com/SFTHOtelethon
💖 Donate → tinyurl.com/SFTHOdonate

11/03/2025