Evaluation Guidelines

The following are guidelines the committee has used for evaluation of both texts and tunes under consideration for inclusion in the new hymnal.

Music Guidelines

• Singable by congregations rather than a soloist
• Preferred range: c-d1
• Rhythmically accessible to congregants
• Fits the text and supports its message
• Well-crafted memorable melody
• Interesting with some predictability but not trite
• Playable by non-professional but trained musicians
• Follows the principles of standard music theory, unless compositional style demands otherwise

Text Guidelines

• Biblical
• Theologically Reformed
• Gender-neutral language for people
• Poetic texts ought to reflect good poetic techniques
• Grammatically correct (with some poetic license)
• Artfully written, not trite or mundane
• Cohesive in thought
• Understandable message (not puzzling to the singer or needing too much unpacking)
• Captures the imagination or results in further reflection
• Communal (we/you not I/me)
• Words fit naturally with selected tune