wfn.org | Computers and Hymnals

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3237 notes).

Note 3234 by UMNS on Oct. 16, 1996 at 15:52 Eastern (2221 characters).

SEARCH: Africa University, computers, hymnals, churches, prototype
 Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency
of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn.,
New York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                          520(10-31-71B){3234}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Oct. 16, 1996

Africa University professor producing 
hymnal for African churches with computer

by Andra Stevens*

     OLD MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) -- A major breakthrough in the
use of computers has taken place at Africa University.
     Patrick Matsikenyiri, lecturer in music, and the Rev. Carlton
R. Young of Nashville, Tenn., editor of the United Methodist
Hymnal,  have produced the prototype of music pages for the All
Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) hymnal to be published in
1997. They also have produced sample pages for a forthcoming
hymnal for the Zimbabwe United Methodist Annual Conference.
     According to both Matsikenyiri and Young, their construction
of the first computer integration of the two basic forms of music
notation used in African churches: tonic sol, fah, and staff
notation, will have far-reaching consequences in the production of
African church music and worship resources.
     The development of prototype pages will speed up work on the
AACC hymnal tremendously. Matsikenyiri has less than a year to
prepare the hymnal for publication from materials that are coming
in from musicians and churches throughout Africa.
     "We would like to see Africa University become a focal point
for sharing African church music between regions, churches and
individual musicians," Young said.
     The development of the department of music, in Africa
University's recently launched Faculty of Education, is being
supported by a number of friends within the United Methodist
Church. The computer system, keyboard and music software used in
the prototype project was donated by Bert Don and Pamela Kidd of
Pontiac, Ill. The Kidds led a Volunteers in Mission team to Africa
University in July.
                              #  #  #

     * Stevens is the director of information at Africa University.quit
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