--- title: "Selecting hymns" slug: "selecting-hymns" description: "Learn to select and customize hymns for your liturgy using Source & Summit's Digital Platform to save time during liturgy preparation." tags: ["Hymn Selection", "Hymn suggestions", "Liturgy Preparation", "Adding or removing a hymn", "Onboarding"] updated: 2026-07-24T19:53:22Z published: 2026-07-24T19:53:22Z canonical: "help.sourceandsummit.com/selecting-hymns" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.sourceandsummit.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Selecting hymns Learn how to select and customize hymns for a liturgy in the Source & Summit Digital Platform. > [!NOTE] > This information applies to all Source & Summit customers. ## **Adding Hymns to your Ordo** When you [create an Ordo](/v1/docs/how-to-create-an-ordo), Source & Summit provides the given parts and texts for that liturgy based on the prescriptions of the official liturgical books.

Following the options given in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Ordos contain a + Add a Hymn button at the bottom of the Entrance Chant, Offertory Chant, and Communion Chant sections. To select a hymn in place of the proper antiphons prescribed for a particular Mass, click the + Add a Hymn button and your hymn library will open in the right panel, where you can make your hymn selections.

### Adding a hymn to your Outline To add hymns to any other part of the Mass, or in addition to the antiphons provided for the liturgy, you’ll need to add them to your Ordo Outline. Here’s how: [Video](https://cdn.document360.io/2f4703e0-6aba-4ef3-bb5e-e77c48482a6f/Images/Documentation/Add_hymn_1080-web.mp4) 1. [Create an Ordo](/v1/docs/how-to-create-an-ordo). 2. In the left panel, click **+** to add a section to your Outline. 3. Hover over **Hymns**, then click the **hymn type** you’d like to insert: **Prelude, Opening, Offertory, Communion, Hymn of Praise, Recessional,** or **Other****.** → An empty hymn section will appear in your Outline in its appropriate place. If needed, you can click and drag the hymn to a different position. 4. Click the empty **hymn section** in the center canvas. → The right panel will display your hymn library, including: suggested hymns, upload options, and browsing options. 5. Select a **hymn** from the right panel. → The music will display in the center canvas. 6. Explore other options (optional). Click **Reset** at the top-right corner of the right panel to clear the current selection. Or, click **Browse** to see other hymn options. > [!NOTE] > Pro Tip > > > If you regularly sing hymns during certain parts of the liturgy, [**create a template**](/v1/docs/using-templates) with those hymn sections to save time. > [!NOTE] > Have a limited subscription? > > All plans include a selection of Eucharistic hymns. You can find them by clicking **Eucharistic Hymns** in the right panel. You can also upload hymns from various sources. Visit [**Uploading content**](/v1/docs/uploading-content) to learn more. ## **Listening to Hymns** Hymns with a music icon 🎵 above the title include audio playback. To listen to the hymn, click the **play** button in the bottom bar. If you’ve changed the key or applied an accompaniment, the recording will reflect those changes. [Video](https://cdn.document360.io/2f4703e0-6aba-4ef3-bb5e-e77c48482a6f/Images/Documentation/Hymn_playback_1080-web.mp4) > [!NOTE] > Pro Tip > > > When you share an Ordo, your team can listen to full recordings as well as individual parts. Visit [**Sharing Ordos**](/v1/docs/sharing-content) to learn more. ## **Hymn suggestions** Source & Summit offers curated hymn suggestions for Sundays and major feasts based on the liturgical season and proper texts of the day. ### How to access hymn suggestions 1. [Add a hymn](/v1/docs/adding-hymns-to-your-ordo#where-to-find-hymns) to your Ordo. 2. Suggested Hymns will appear at the top of the right panel. > [!NOTE] > Suggestions not appearing? > > Hymn suggestions are currently available for Sundays and major feasts only. For weekday liturgies, [try searching by topic](/v1/docs/selecting-hymns#browsing-hymns). ### Add suggestions from other sources Source & Summit also provides hymn suggestions from additional resources used by your parish or organization. To see them, add your desired hymn collections to your **User Preferences**. Here’s how: 1. [Create an Ordo](/v1/docs/how-to-create-an-ordo) or open a past Ordo from your home dashboard. 2. Click the **book icon** from the top bar on the right. → User Preferences will open up. 3. Select the Hymn Collections used by your parish or organization. → Source & Summit will provide hymn suggestions and references from that source in future Ordos. [Video](https://cdn.document360.io/2f4703e0-6aba-4ef3-bb5e-e77c48482a6f/Images/Documentation/Hymn-Collections_V2.mp4) > [!NOTE] > ✏️ Note > > Music from other sources appears as *reference only* (title, composer, and hymn number). The Digital Platform does not provide sheet music from these sources, but allows you to upload digital sheet music from your music library directly to these reference sections. ## **Browsing Hymns** [Video](https://cdn.document360.io/2f4703e0-6aba-4ef3-bb5e-e77c48482a6f/Images/Documentation/Hymn%20Topic%20Search.mp4) While the Suggested Hymns appear at the top of the right panel, you can also browse your entire hymn library. Here’s how to browse hymns beyond suggestions: 1. [Add a hymn](/v1/docs/selecting-hymns#adding-a-hymn-to-your-outline) to your Ordo and select the empty hymn box in your Outline. 2. To find a particular hymn, type its **name** in the search bar at the top of the right panel. 3. To browse other hymns, scroll to the bottom to view folder categories: 📁 **My Hymns** - Your uploaded hymns 📁 **All Hymns** - The complete Source & Summit hymn library 📁 **Tune** - Hymns organized by hymn tune 📁 **Meter -** Hymns organized by meter 📁 **Topic -** Hymns organized by topic 📁 **Hymn Collection** - Hymns from outside sources in your [User Preferences](/v1/docs/selecting-hymns#add-suggestions-from-other-sources) ## **Customizing Hymns** Once you have selected your hymn, use the settings in the right panel to customize it: - **Notation** - Switch between modern notation and text-only view - **Key** - Adjust by half steps with the **-** or **+** buttons (or using the dropdown selector). Playback will follow your key selection - **Accompaniment** - Add SATB harmonization to the score - **Chord Symbols** - Display chord symbols above the melody - **Tune** - Change the hymn tune - **Verses** - Choose which verses you would like to appear > [!NOTE] > Creating resources for both your choir and congregation? > > Use the Resource Editor to customize materials for each group. Visit [**Creating booklets and music packets**](/v1/docs/creating-resources) to learn more. ## Related - [Accessing Accompaniments](/accessing-accompaniments.md)