UTECH Hymnody Symposium
The George W. Utech Congregational Hymnody Fund was established at the Eastman School of Music in 2011 through the generosity of Mrs. Krestie Utech in memory of her husband George, who was a published writer of hymn texts. The Utech fund supports “the writing, composition, and promotion of texts and music for Christian congregational singing” as well as “educational initiatives most closely aligned with the intended purpose of the funds as related to Christian hymns and congregational singing.” The Utech Hymnody Symposium is held at Eastman in odd-numbered years, opposite the EROI (Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative) Festival in even-numbered years.
About this year’s symposium:
For the 2019 Symposium, the Utech Fund has supported both a newly commissioned hymn text by Dr. Carl P. Daw Jr., “Out of Silence Music Rises,” and a new tune composed for the text by Dr. Larry Visser, winner of the 2019 Utech Hymn Competition. This new hymn will have its first singing at Evensong for All Saints, to be held at Christ Church, Rochester. Click here to learn more about Dr. Visser and the Utech Hymn Competition.
Preceding the service of Evensong is the Symposium, featuring talks by Dr. Carl P. Daw Jr. (“Why Create Hymns?”) and by Dr. Robin A. Leaver (“Why Study Hymns?”), followed by a discussion moderated by Dr. Crista Miller, who will also give an address at the 6:30 pm banquet.