The Acts of Convention

Whereas, it is the duty of the Standing Commission on Church Music "to collaborate with the Standing Liturgical Commission as regards the musical setting of liturgical texts and rubrics; encourage the writing of new music for liturgical use, and at times to produce such compositions in its own name; recommend norms both as to liturgical music and as to the manner of its rendition; serve as a link between associations of professional Church musicians and diocesan music commissions; assist in the setting up of diocesan and regional courses and conferences on Church music; collect and collate material bearing upon future revisions of the Church Hymnal; and, in general, serve the Church in matters pertaining to music" [Canon II. 6, Sec. 2(a)], and

Whereas, the Standing Commission on Church Music acts in the interests of and on behalf of all communicants in the Episcopal Church, and

Whereas, Bishops, Presbyters and Lay Persons may serve on the Standing Commission on Church Music while Deacons may not though Deacons have as much interest and right in the decisions bearing on music in the liturgical life of the Church and may have in some cases, special talent in this respect by training and ability; therefore, be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 65th General Convention convening in Minneapolis in 1976 to amend Canon II. 6, Sec. 2(b) and (c) to read as follows:

(b) The Commission shall consist of 12 members, of whom 2 shall be Bishops, 4 Presbyters or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons, of whom at least 4 are professional Church musicians.

(c) The members shall be appointed by the presiding officers of the two Houses of the General Convention, the Bishops by the Presiding Bishop, and the Presbyters or Deacons and Lay Persons by the President of the House of Deputies, for a term of two Convention periods; except that in constituting the original Commission following the enactment of this Section, one (1) Bishop, two (2) Presbyters or Deacons, and three (3) Lay Persons shall be appointed for a term of one Convention period, and the remaining six (6) members for a term of two Convention periods...