Old music books in the choral library
  • mlabelle
    Posts: 46
    I'm a seminarian in charge of coordinating the music for the year, and I was wondering if someone could advise me on what to do with these old music books we have. We use Worship for our house liturgies, and we're planning on keeping Choral Praise and By Flowing Waters, plus a handful of Liber Brevior copies. So while I don't think we're going to use any of the following books here at the seminary, I don't want to just throw them away if someone can use them. Here are the titles:

    New Catholic Hymnal, 1971 (33 copies)
    RitualSong, 1996 (2 congregational, 1 choral)
    Glory & Praise, 1997 (2 copies)
    The Hymnal 1982 (+ Scriptural index)
    The Methodist Hymnal, 1964
    Traditional Choral Praise by Randall DeBruyn, 1982
    Thirty Psalms and Two Canticles by Gelineau, 1957 (+ accompaniment book)

    Any idea if these might have value to someone? Or is it best to just throw them in the recycling bin?

    Pax Christi,
    Mark
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    I'd recommend keeping one of each, perhaps in the seminary library or the music director's office, for reference. Some of them can be useful in finding hymns for special events.
    Thanked by 2Liam M. Jackson Osborn
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,191
    They make for good bonfires....Trust me I have burned a lot of them. Next fire is my green Gather books.
    Thanked by 2Daniel Bennett Page francis
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    Gather won't burn. It has too much attitude. That's what happens when something is anointed.


    Thanked by 4CHGiffen Daniel Bennett Page expeditus1 Ben
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Contrarian here:
    Save them all. They will serve someone in the future as reference and witness.
    Thanked by 1Liam
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    I suppose it is the librarian in me, but I have kept one or two copies of formerly used hymnals for reference. That doesn't mean I like them, but there is always the possibility I will have to refer to them for some reason.
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    Do not, whatever you do, get rid of the Hymnal 1982 - there are wonderful descants and some alternate harmonizations, plus many wonderful hymns (with unadulterated texts) that you might want to supplement the regular repertoire.

    But I have always kept one or two copies of anything I've thrown out from the choir library because I get a queasy feeling about throwing away books, especially hard-bound books - pulp Missalettes I don't at all feel sorry about, nor photocopied music (especially if it's illegally copied). Sometimes I look through these volumes if I need a good laugh.
    Thanked by 5CHGiffen Daniel Bennett Page Andrew Motyka francis M. Jackson Osborn
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,191
    I agree, don't throw the 1982 hymnal.
    Thanked by 6Daniel Bennett Page CHGiffen ClergetKubisz Andrew Motyka francis M. Jackson Osborn
  • ClergetKubiszClergetKubisz
    Posts: 1,912
    If you don't want the 1982 Hymnal you can send it to me :)
  • mlabelle
    Posts: 46
    I had a feeling there would be strong support for that 1982 Hymnal! Thanks for the advice, everyone. I will talk to our librarian.
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