BYU NewsNet - Bringing New Hymns to Life

Many aspiring songwriters may feel akin to Steven Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, who, during his undergraduate days, sought for a way to share the gifts he had been given.

"When I was a young composer here at BYU, I, like many of the students today, wanted to contribute my talents in a way that would build Heavenly Father's kingdom," Jones said.

He found a way to share his talents by submitting several of his early works for publication in the New Era magazine. Eventually his hard work paid off, as Jones was asked to write the music for "When Faith Endures" (Hymns, 128).

For many of today's students, the solution may be found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' music submission program -- an opportunity for LDS artists to submit their original hymns, songs and anthems for possible publication by the church.

"The church initiated the music submission program because people want to contribute," said Diane Bastion, of the church's General Music Committee. "They want to share their efforts and talents with other members of the church."

Each year Bastian's committee receives hundreds of submissions, which they and a team of qualified volunteers review. Only the best selections make it through their stringent analysis. Those that do are featured each year in the Church Music Festival. This year's featured selections will be presented in the Assembly Hall at Temple Square on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. (for more information see LDS.org/events).

Featured again this year will be Janice Kapp Perry, an icon in the world of LDS music, whose past songwriting credits include "A Child's Prayer," "Armies of Helaman" and "As Sisters in Zion," just to name a few. Perry has written a staggering 1,100 songs in the course of her career.

Perry encouraged aspiring songwriters not to worry if their music is not selected for general publication. She recalled advice given to her by Michael Moody, former chairman of the Church Music Committee, when she was beginning her career.

"There is so much music sent in, there is just no way we can accommodate it all," Moody told her. "So my best advice to you is to brighten your own little corner of the world and find joy in that. Write for your family, your friends, your ward or your stake. ... If what you write is worthy, we will hear about it."

Perry has followed this advice, and by so doing, has blessed the world with her talents. Many of her most well-known songs were not written for the church as a whole, but rather for local church youth conferences and Primary presentations.

Many would be surprised to hear that "I Love to See the Temple" was not intended to be a world-wide favorite. Instead, it was written at the request of Perry's stake president who needed a song to help the children be reverent during their Primary's weekly "temple time."

The missionary anthem "Called to Serve" was written for a Provo regional Primary presentation at the Marriott Center. Now it has been translated into dozens of languages and serves as a battle cry for missionaries around the world.

Perry said the distinction and recognition her songs have gained are not what motivate her. She still holds true to Moody's counsel, and seeks to "brighten her own little corner of the world."

"I write hymns for the sake of legacy," Perry said. "That is what I most want to leave for my family and the church."

Her advice for aspiring songwriters: "As you get married, write for your children, write for you ward, and always remember to enter the church music submission."

"Don't ever be afraid to try," Bastian said.

Bastian said tover the next few moths the church hopes to add many pieces from previous Church Music Festivals to the Web site (LDS.org/music).

"Most of the submissions have been too long to be published in church magazines," Bastian said. "Those publications can print only one- or two-page selections, so we are excited to be able to publish longer anthems, hymn arrangements, and other music on the Internet for families and choirs to download and sing."