The office of the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne has issued an invitation for composers to submit songs for use at the international event, including a contest for the WYD theme song.
If anyone's curious to see the ground rules for participants, here they are (in German). My translation follows.
In preparation for the 20th World Youth Day 2005
we are seeking music for the World Youth Day.
The theme song and songs for the Mass
1. THE THEME SONG
Part of the tradition of World Youth Days is a theme song for each, which is also designated as the World Youth Day Hymn. It is *the* song of the World Youth Day, in which the theme is packaged.
The Motto of the 20th World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne is "We have come to worship him" (Mt. 2:2b)
The theme song is to some extent a "calling card" for the host country. At the same time it presents a point of identification for the participants in the World Youth Day, in that it binds them together in a common sung action.
The World Youth Day Office invites authors and composers who identify with the World Youth Day as an experience of the Church to take part in this contest for the theme song.
The following criteria apply to submitted compositions:
1) The song must fulfill the functions described above.
2) The song must recognizably take up the Motto, if not expressly quoting it, then at least reflecting it through the song's content. Furthermore, the World Youth Day as a stage in the pilgrimage of faith and the pilgrimage of the Three Wise Men from the East should also play a role.
3) The host country plays a formative role. Thus the theme song is a musical expression of the culture of the host country.
4) So that the song can really become a binding element, it must be linguistically singable for the many international participants. In view of the German language having little worldwide spread, a song with a refrain or acclamation containing not too many German words is appealing. However, a Latin refrain or acclamation could be satisfactory, or even a German-Latin combination (e.g., venite adoremus - kommt lasset uns anbeten). If possible, the German language should not be avoided in the use of a refrain.
5) The song must have an international character. The following languages must find consideration (e.g., in stanzas for each language): German, French, English, Spanish, Italian.
6) The congregation must be drawn into the action of the song. The theme song is not a performance for an audience!
7) The song must be capable of being performed in a basic form in simple musical settings.
8) It is expected that the author identify with the World Youth Day as an experience of the Church.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
Procedural Information
An applicant must submit the following items:
* The theme song in its basic form, consisting of melody, text, and chords, as well as an indication of the tempo. At least a suggestion for an arrangement is to be added. The song is to be submitted in written form. A demo tape is desired, but not a condition of participation.
* The applicant's written declaration that he identifies with the World Youth Day as an experience of the Church.
* The applicant's written declaration that the song has neither been published or publicly performed, and will not be published until publication by the World Youth Day office.
Further Information
The close of entries is February 29, 2004.
The winner will be chosen by a jury responsible to the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Vatican City.
All decisions are final.
The winner relinquishes all rights to the song to Weltjugendtag gGmbH ("World Youth Day Inc.").
The winner receives a prize of 5000 Euros. This sum is full compensation for the relinquishment of all rights.
Weltjugendtag gGmbH has the sole right to publish and market the song as a product of the author.
By submitting an application, the applicant indicates his acceptance of the Conditions of Participation.
2. SONGS FOR THE MASS
In addition to the theme song the World Youth Day invites authors and composers to compose songs for the Mass. Foremost under consideration are the Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. However, settings of the Kyrie and Our Father can also be considered.
It is expected that an author present a setting of the authentic liturgical text. To ensure singability in view of the international character of the participant congregation at the services of worship, responsorial versions (refrain and solo text) are appealing. It is not expected, but is thinkable, that a composer may devote himself to a complete Mass setting.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
There is no contest as such for the songs of Mass, so no winner will be chosen. Instead Weltjugendtag gGmbH can, at the recommendation of an advisor, buy songs found suitable. For the Kyrie, Sanctus, Our Father, and Agnus Dei 500 Euros; for the Gloria and Credo 1000 Euros. For a complete Mass the individual amounts are to be summed. With this payment the relinquishment of all rights to Weltjugendtag gGmbH is compensated.
All decisions are final.
The close of submissions is March 31, 2004.
Applications for the theme song and proposals for songs for the Mass are to be sent to:
Weltjugendtag 2005
Attention: Weltjugendtagslied
z.Hd. Herrn Pfarrer Ulrich Hennes
Gereonstr. 1-3
50670 Köln
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Köln, 17.X.2003
Rev. Ulrich Hennes/UH-us
Secretary of World Youth Day
Can it sound any peppier and upbeat than this past year's OCP theme?
They could always turn to this classic, which appears to meet all the World Youth Day criteria. Waving Animatronic figures optional.
Would they consider the "Horst Wessel Lied"? No, I guess not...;)
I really enjoyed the theme for WYD2000. I hope, as Mark has said, that this next one is better than OCP's.