A Gluttonous Feast of Rejection, Fourth Course

Update 3/22/22: Sheet music for this song is now available at gregscheer.com.

Our fourth course, a dessert of dismissal and dejection, is a tune for Stephen Starke’s text, “Jesus, Greatest at the Table.” This 8.7.8.7.8.7 Maundy Thursday text was the last one of the batch I wrote, and  at first I felt it was the weakest. It sounded too similar to a tune in Sing! A New Creation (I’ll never tell which one) and just wasn’t grabbing me. But this is was a situation in which experience and perseverance outweighed youthful enthusiasm and raw talent. I kept fussing with the draft over the course of a few days and now, though perhaps not the most beautiful belle at the ball, it is quite a pleasant, singable tune.

Pleasant and singable, or just a really nice personality? You be the beholder: MP3.

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2 Responses to A Gluttonous Feast of Rejection, Fourth Course

  1. Paul Janssen says:

    Man, did I get a kick out of your blogposts! I too am in for a gluttonous feast of rejection from the folks who are putting together the new hymnal. Already having five texts and/or tunes dismissed, I’m looking for rejections on 2 tunes to “As In That Upper Room” and one to “We Are Your People.” I was frankly looking forward to renewing my congregation’s pews with the new hymnbook — then I found out that the Heidelberg was going to be included! Odd, it seems to me, for a hymnbook. I hope they put out an ecumenical edition. BTW my congregation is doing a hymn contest for its 200th anniversary. If I can find initial e-mail with the “rules,” I’ll send it over. If not, I can tell you that we’re looking for a new hymn on Psalm 90:1-2; 14-17. Interested? Deadline is about February or so. Hope to hear from you — if you ever read the comments on your posts……

  2. gregscheer says:

    Hey Paul,

    Great to hear from you! I’m glad to know that I have company in this rejectionary business of music. I actually have your contest guidelines sitting in my office, because, well, I just can’t so no. It’s nice to know there will be a friend behind that rejection! Have you heard about the COS New Psalm Contest? You’re too late for this year’s contest, but I can put you on the email list if you’d like to be notified about next year’s contest.

    Peace,

    Greg

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