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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 1979-A096
Title: Amend Canon II.6.2 [Standing Commission on Church Music]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That Canon II.6 be amended by striking Sub-sections 2(b), (c), (d) and (e) and by amending Section 2 to read as follows:

Sec. 2. There shall be a Standing Commission on Church Music consisting of 12 members ( 2 Bishops, 4 Presbyters or Deacons and 6 Lay persons, of whom at least 4 are professional Church musicians ). It shall be the duty of this Commission 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.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 1979 (New York: General Convention, 1980), p. C-159.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Structure

House of Deputies

On the fourth day, the Committee on Structure presented its Report #9 on Resolution A-96, and moved adoption of the Resolution without amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A096)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon II.6 be amended by striking Sub-sections 2(b), (c), (d) and (e) and by amending Section 2 to read as follows:

Sec. 2. There shall be a Standing Commission on Church Music consisting of 12 members ( 2 Bishops, 4 Presbyters or Deacons and 6 Lay persons, of whom at least 4 are professional Church musicians). It shall be the duty of this Commission 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.

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #25)

House of Bishops

On the fifth day, HD Message #25 on Resolution A-96 was received.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #59)

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church, Reports to the 66th General Convention, 1979, pp. AA-283-AA-308.
Abstract:   The 66th General Convention amends Canon Title II.6.2 to consolidate provisions relating to the Standing Commission on Church Music and to add a reference concerning the composition of the Commission.