Annabeth got a call from Ken Martin, Director of the Kennebec Performing Arts Company, which consists of choral singers as well as a wind ensemble and jazz band. The choral group is planning a series of Christmas concerts, and Ken asked if we'd like to have them here. The Music Committee agreed it would be a nice idea, so the date of Sunday, December 11, at 3:00 pm has been set. The program will include a wide variety of styles, including sacred, classical and pop. Annabeth is in touch with Kevin to work out the final details. This will be a nice addition to our holiday events

Part II: What Was Lost and What Was Gained

I think one of the greatest concerns about the NCH was that a lot of favorite hymns had been left out; I know that was my perception. But again, I was pleasantly surprised. Before I give my findings, I want to reassure all the members of our congregation that even if the Pilgrim Hymnals are eventually removed from the pews, we will keep enough on hand that at any time we wish we can print the words to a beloved hymn in the Sunday bulletin, and have the pleasure of singing it. I will be retaining PH's in the Choir Room for the choir members to use for service music such as Introits/Benediction Responses.

There are 496 hymns in the PH, and 399 tunes (some tunes have more than one set of words). In the NCH there are 617 hymns and 399 tunes. Of these 399, 220 are common to both hymnals. 179 tunes did not make the "cut" (and this was after much research on the part of those assembling the NCH), and of those we only ever sang 55.

Of those 55, we sang 27 only once; the most recent date being 2003. 9 tunes had been sung twice each, the latest appearing in 2006. 11 tunes had been sung 3 to 4 times each, but only 3 of those have been sung in the last 10 years (most recently in 2007). Finally, 8 hymns had been sung more than 5 times each; but only 4 of those within the last decade! Those four are Morning has broken (Bunessan); Christ whose glory fills the skies (Ratisbon); He leadeth me, O blessed thought (He Leadeth Me); and Eternal Father, strong to save (Melita).

What did we gain? I found more than I expected of good, old-fashioned gospel or revival songs such as Down at the cross; The old rugged cross; Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Sing them over again to me (wonderful words of life); Sweet hour of prayer, and others.

There are prayerful songs we've leaned to love and sing a lot: Give me a clean heart; Spirit of the living God; There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place, etc. There are about 40 African American tunes or Spirituals, many of which deserve closer attention. "I've got a little list"--quite a few lists, in fact, which will serve as a resource for hymn recommendations and choral music. The NCH is a diverse and satisfying blend of the familiar and challenging new.

One omission that surprised me? "Here Am I, Lord", which has been gaining in popularity for years, is not in the NCH--maybe next time!

Here's the answer to last month's trivia question: The most sung hymn in the NCH is 495 "Called as partners in Christ's service", sung 21 times. Also in the top eight is "Love divine, all loves excelling", sung 15 times from the NCH and 8 times from the PH for a total of 23. AND, both those hymns share the same tune: Beecher. So we've sung that tune 44 times! Here are our top eight hymns from the NCH:

1 Immortal, invisible	Sung 16x + 5 from the PH Total: 21
4 Joyful, joyful we adore you	Sung 16x + 4 from the PH Total: 20
43 Love divine, all loves excelling	Sung 15x + 8 from the PH Total: 23
77 Lord, dismiss us with your blessing	Sung 15x + 9 from the PH Total: 24
84 This is the day	Sung 18x (not in PH)
286 Spirit, spirit of gentleness	Sung 17x (not in PH)
347 Let us talents and tongues employ	Sung 17x (not in PH)
495 Called as partners in Christ's service	Sung 21x (not in PH)

This month's trivia question: What hymn TUNE appears 3 times in the NCH but is cleverly disguised to be slightly different each time by changing the time signature?

(I couldn't believe my eyes--the three hymns were so different that I never recognized that they were variations of the same tune!) Clue: one version is a well-loved Christmas carol!