Scripture Tunes is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to collect and disseminate songs based upon the Bible to the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture Tunes’ mission is to share the Word of God with the people of the world through music for the strengthening of believers by developing a library to house songs based directly on scripture for access on the Internet through a dedicated web site. Scripture Tunes intends to be recognized as the best place for finding scriptural music and the best place for scripture music writers to connect with their audience.
|
Search The library will be a database of scripture-specific songs in MP3 or similar digital format and will provide access to sheet music and lead sheets wherever possible. An important feature of this on-line song library will be the ability to efficiently search for a song by Bible verse. Search for a song by verse, find 5 or 15 or 50, listen to a clip, and download those you like. Organization and ease of use of the song library as well as breadth of both scripture song entries and artists will be noteworthy features of the song library.
|
TrustAn equally important feature of the library will be the authentication component which will verify the extent to which a song is true to the scripture reference noted by the composer. The inclusion of a field to indicate scriptural accuracy will be a feature unique to this scripture song library. The idea is for the visitor to know how scriptural the song is without having to read the text while listening to the song. We will relieve the visitor from that tedious part of song scrutiny. If a song sites Revelation 3:15 as its source, the lyrics of the song will be compared to the text of Revelation 3:15 using a programmed calculation. The program will produce a rating of accuracy to give the buyer evidence to the song's scriptural content. Those wanting songs to help with memorization will probably want the highest accuracy rating of 100. Others who want wholesome music for other purposes may prefer songs where the words have a certain rhythm and the order of the phrases need not be exact. Scripture Tunes shall offer songs both ways. The authenticity rating is not about which song is better but about offering the visitor a tool to help in selecting a scripture song that suits his/her needs.
|
AcquireAny song could be downloaded in MP3 or similar format to the customer’s personal computer either free or for $1. Sheet music and lead sheets will be similarly priced.
Free songs? Because some song writers prefer their music to be given freely! (Mt 10:8) $1 songs? Because some artists depend upon their song sales for wages. (1 Tim 5:18) Song writers may choose to donate a portion of their royalties to Scripture Tunes, a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
|
Scripture Tunes expects to appeal to Christian song writers, appreciators of music, choral directors, and scripture memory enthusiasts. This song library will be the convergence point where each will find what they need: a place where song writers can share their music, a place where music with messages from the Word of God can easily be found, and above all a place where God is glorified by the wonderful variety of inspired scripture music in all musical genres and foreign languages.
|
Benefits to the Song Contributor |
+
|
All song contributors will benefit from participation in the library which will act as a showcase for their scripture music without requiring membership fees for either artists or visitors. |
| ++ |
The authentication rating given to each song in the library will attract visitors. |
| +++ |
The song contributor who chooses to donate royalties will receive a receipt for a tax-deductible donation as calculated by the song sales through Scripture Tunes in a calendar year. |
| ++++ |
To offer greater exposure to scripture artists, Scripture Tunes provides a separate field in the song information for a link to the artist's preferred site. If the song contributor donates 10 songs, he/she will have 10 links to the site/s of his/her choice. This will benefit artists who write some scripture songs and other songs as well. An artist might choose to submit two or three songs from each album and have the links for each song direct buyers to a location to access his/her other music. |
|
Benefits to Scripture Tunes |
| + |
Scripture Tunes hopes to enjoy self-sufficient operation without reliance on advertisers thanks to the generosity of those who donate song proceeds and make financial contributions. Scripture Tunes is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
|
| ++ |
Scripture Tunes looks forward to expanding into all genres and foreign languages to accomplish its mission. |
| +++ |
Scripture Tunes will keep the library well maintained (software) and well stocked with scripture songs (contracts, licensing, and song screening and authentication) to inspire greater knowledge of scripture among believers. |
|
Expectations |
| • |
Songs in the library will have scripture in the lyrics and be DRM-free digital recordings, lead sheets, or sheet music.
|
| • |
Each song submitted to the library will have the lyrics submitted for use in the authenticity rating program.
|
| • |
Each song will only be included in the library with the artist’s written permission and other necessary licensing.
|
| • |
Musicians, song writers, and song contributors will sign the Contributor Contract acknowledging the non-profit status of Scripture Tunes and may elect to receive royalties or to donate a portion of the income from song sales through the Scripture Tunes web site to Scripture Tunes (a tax-deductible receipt will be generated at the end of each year to indicate the dollar amount of the income received by song sales).
|
| • |
Any song listed in Scripture Tunes song library may be sold on another site without impacting the artist’s relationship with Scripture Tunes. Any royalties or income generated on another site by the same song belong exclusively to the artist, Scripture Tunes holding no stake in song sales outside of the Scripture Tunes web site.
|
| • |
Scripture Tunes will receive proceeds from song sales only through the Scripture Tunes web site. It is hoped that the majority of song contributors will choose to donate proceeds in exchange for the benefits listed above.
|
| • |
The authentication rating calculated for the songs will remain property of Scripture Tunes and not be permitted for use or reference on other sites.
|
|