“Blessed Be, Namaste” is a Winner of the 2016 Vincent Silliman Hymn Competition

Well this is a strange and cool surprise! Several years ago I heard from Scott Roewe, Music Director at Unitarian Universalists of Santa Clarita, California. He had come across “Jai Ma” and wanted to perform it for one of their services. I was on my way for a bit of an L.A. adventure this March (more on that soon), and I thought of getting in touch with Scott. I wound up with a Sunday morning gig (after a late night of Saturday night dancing) and some good connections and collaboration. Before the trip, Scott invited me to enter a UU song contest. I procrastinated on it, but eventually sent “Shivo Ham” and “Blessed Be, Namaste.” Good thing I got around to it. I was psyched to find out yesterday that “Blessed Be, Namaste” is one of their winners. I never thought I’d write a song that might one day have the potential to be performed as a UU hymn. I’m glad some people have found a positive resonance with this tune.

 

“Blessed Be, Namaste” appears on This. (2012).

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May 6, 2016

Hello to all that submitted music for the 2016 Silliman hymn competition!

Thank you for you contribution.

The winners are….

Blessed Be, Namaste
Music & Lyrics Robin Renee
From Atco, New Jersey

For the Beauty of the Earth
Music by Lia Davis
Lyrics by Folliott Sandford Pierpoint
From Denver, Colorado

Juntos Cantamos
Music by Elizabeth Scribner/Christine Lucas
Lyrics by Annie Pal
From Glenn Allen, Virginia

Let Peace Expand
Music & Lyrics by Lisa Murray
From Temple New Hampshire

The Light Of the Spirit
Music by David Kent
Lyrics by Rev Sarah Tinker
Maidwell, United Kingdom

Seed of Hope
Music & Lyrics by John Kramer
From Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

The Stream of Life (Come Take My Hand)
Music by  Elizabeth Scribner
Lyrics adapted from Rabindranath Tagore
From Davidson, North Carolina

Together
Amber Fetner
Music by Chris Hayden
Lyrics by Myrna Adams West
From Athens, Georgia

One Small World
Music & Lyrics Lucy Holstedt
From Somerville, Massachusetts

Open Your Heart To The Joy
Music & Lyrics Cheryl Ritch
From Fredonia, New York

People of Hope
Music & Lyrics Darryl Loiacano
From Kalamazoo, Michigan

A special thank you to the Judges for their contribution.

Rev. Mary Katherine Morn  |  Director of Stewardship and Development and Special Advisor to the UUA President
Bailey Whiteman – Choral Director for the Washington Ethical Society, Washington D.C.
Bertram Gulhaugen – Music Director Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation Seattle, Washington
Each winner will receive $100, and have their music read down and recorded at the upcoming UUMN conference in Madison, Wisconsin July 20th – 24th.

…
Thank you,

Scott Roewe
UUMN Director of Publications
Music Director
UUOFSCV
Santa Clarita, California