Digital Version Progress

Bryce Lowrance • Jun 01, 2018

Assistance Needed

I had hoped to have a Digital Version of the hymnal released at the same time as the print version. This has proven to be more of a challenge than I expected. The ability to sell copy-protected files has LOTS of issues.

ePub and Kindle files do not work because they are font-based. The music files are also font-based so the books come out as gibberish. Lulu will not sell a copy-protected PDF and for that matter, anything above a simple password system is very cost prohibitive.

So, here is where we stand.

I have found a possible solution for Apple products in iBooks Author. I have a demo that I am trying out right now and it seems to work. As I understand it, the DRM protection prevents copying or sharing anything purchased from the iBooks store. The only possible issue I see with this delivery system (other than dealing with Apple's finance stuff) is the iBook itself might be quite large, especially if we make a larger book down the road. iBooks Author is easy to use and I can probably get the hymnal ready in basic format in just a few hours of work.

But that's just Apple products.

Does anyone know of an Android-based program that does the same thing as iBooks Author?

It would be nice to only have one file type delivered on all platforms but I know that is not realistic. I like the idea of a protected PDF but I would have to sell the PDF from my website and generate a user specific password for each file sold. And this does not prevent the sharing of the password. I know there are some other solutions for this but they are outside my area expertise. Also, REALLY  don't want to be handling sales on a daily basis. That is the whole reason we went with Lulu for the printed book.

As you can see, I have an idea of what I want but I need a computer-dude (or dudette) to help me out.

Your little brother,
Bryce


By Bryce Lowrance 13 Mar, 2024
June 5-8 Radnor PBC (TN) - Taught by Elder Bryce Lowrance. Contact rbox@comcast.net June 6-8 Camp Creek PBC (GA) - Taught by Brothers Matthew Arnold and Austin McCool. See https://www.facebook.com/campcreekchurch June 7-8 Vestavia PBC (AL) - See VestaviaPBC June 9-14 Harmony Hill Singing School (Azle, TX) - Various Instructors. Contact info unavailable. July 11-13 Lexington PBC (KY) - Taught by Elder Bryce Lowrance. See LexingtonPBC July 21-26 Harmony Plains Singing School (Cone, TX) - Various instructors. See https://www.facebook.com/harmonyplains Aug 2-3 Midwest Singing School hosted by New Liberty PBC (MO) - Taught by Elder Bryce Lowrance. See NewLibertyPBC
By Bryce Lowrance 06 Jun, 2023
June 7-10, 2023 - Radnor PBC (TN) Singing School (taught by Elder Bryce Lowrance) June 11-16, 2023 - Harmony Hill Singing School (TX) (various instructors) June 11-16, 2023 - Melody Grove Singing School (TX) (taught by Sister Terri Machiavello) July 6-8, 2023 - Lexington PBC (KY) Singing School (taught by Elder Bryce Lowrance) July 16-21, 2023 - Harmony Plains Singing School (TX) (various instructors) June 29-July 1, 2023 - Tuscaloosa Area PB Singing School (hosted at Tuscaloosa PBC) (taught by Elder Bryce Lowrance) July 27-29, 2023 - Camp Creek PBC (Lilburn, GA) Singing School (Taught by Brother Matthew Arnold and Brother Austin McCool) August 4-5, 2023 - Midwest Singing School (Hosted by New Liberty PBC in Missouri) (taught by Elder Bryce Lowrance)
By Bryce Lowrance 09 May, 2023
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By Bryce Lowrance 23 Apr, 2022
We are excited to announce dates for Singing Schools for the Summer of 2022! Schools will be starting up again this year since Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted. This list will be updated as we add more dates. June 8-11, 2022 • Radnor PBC Singing School in Nashville, TN (Elder Bryce Lowrance teaching,) June 12-17 2022 • Harmony Hill Singing School in Azle, TX (Various teachers) June 24-25, 2022 • Tuscaloosa Area PB Fellowship Singing School in Gordo, AL (Elder Bryce Lowrance and others teaching) June 30-July 2, 2022 • Lexington PBC Singing School in Lexington, KY (Elder Bryce Lowrance teaching) July 17-22, 2022 • Harmony Plains Singing School in Cone, TX (Various teachers) August 5-6, 2022 • Illinois Area PB Singing School at Little Flock PBC in Edwardsville, IL (Elder Bryce Lowrance teaching)
By Bryce Lowrance 23 Apr, 2022
We are excited to partner with the Old School Hymnal Foundation to produce the centennial Edition of the Old School Hymnal. This hymnal contains that "cream of the crop" from previous editions as well as many new hymns from active composers. Please visit the website https://www.oldschoolhymnal.com
By Bryce Lowrance 17 Dec, 2020
2020 has been a wild year for us all. I have missed getting to sing with so many of you at singing schools this past summer! But as the year draws to an end, I want to share some great news with you. The Old School Hymnal Centennial Edition is at the printer! We will have pricing an ordering information out soon. This will most likely be coordinated with the rollout of our new website. I pray that you all have a safe, HEALTHY, and joyful Christmas and New Year! Your little brother, Bryce
By Bryce Lowrance 25 Dec, 2019
It has been a very busy month since Songs of Zion joined efforts with the Old School Hymnal to produce a Centennial Edition. Work is coming along very well and we hope to have new songs selections finished in January. Please continue to pray for this effort. If you want a chance to get together and sing, Matthew and Bryce will be teaching a singing school at Bethany PBC in Suwanee, GA on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day The church address is: 5101 Old Atlanta Rd, Suwanee, GA 30024 Here is the proposed schedule: 12/31 5:00- Dinner 6:00- Session 1 7:00- Break 7:30- Session 2 8:30- Break 9:00- Worship/Message 10:00- Break 11:15- Sing in the New Year ​ 1/1 9:00- Breakfast 10:00- Session 3 10:45- Break 11:00- Worship/Message 12:00- Lunch 1:00- Session 4 2:00- Singing 3:00- Close I pray everyone has a safe and merry winter season.
By Bryce Lowrance 25 Nov, 2019
This year's singing school season will get started a little early just like last year. The list below is what I know of so far. Let me know if you have any other dates and locations! December 31, 2019-January 1, 2020 - Bethany PBC (Elder Bryce Lowrance & Brother Matthew Arnold, Instructors) Feb TBA - Tired Creek PBC in South Georgia (Elder Bryce Lowrance, Instructor) May 31 - Jun 3, 2020 - Radnor PBC (Elder Bryce Lowrance, Instructor) Jun 4-6, 2020 - Lexington PBC (Elder Bryce Lowrance, Instructor) Jun ??? - Middle Georgia SS (Elder Bryce Lowrance, Instructor) Jun 21-26, 2020 - Harmony Highlands SS in Jasper, AL (Various Instructors) Jul 17-18, 2020 - Midwest SS in Illinois ((Elder Bryce Lowrance, Instructor) Jul 19-24 - Harmony Plains SS in Cone, TX (Various Instructors) Jul ??? Grace SS in NC (Elder Bryce Lowrance, Instructor)
By Bryce Lowrance 25 Nov, 2019
We are excited to announce that the Teacher Edition of "Everyone Can Sing" is now available for purchase at a deeply discounted price. This guide will help new and experiences teachers develop lesson plans for use with the Student Edition fo the book. The audio help files and teaching videos will be released on Google Classroom. Early purchases to the Teacher Edition will gain early FREE access to this site under development. This music reading system is the system used by Elder Bryce Lowrance at various singing schools for over 30 years.
By Bryce Lowrance 02 Nov, 2019
Here is the announcement from the Old School Hymnal... The Old School Hymnal Company is excited to announce that work has begun on the publication of a new 100th Anniversary Centennial Edition of the Hymnal! In the early 1920’s, Elder Lee Hanks and Elder Z.C. Hull had the vision of bringing a notated hymnal to the Primitive Baptist churches in the Georgia and Virginia regions. Over the past 100 years, many Elders have served on the board including Elders R.H. Pittman, John R. Daily, J. Harvey Daily, J.A. Monsees, Cecil Darity, Joe Hildreth, Elzie Speir, Sr., and Roland Green. Several of these Elders were also prolific hymn writers and many of their songs have become Primitive Baptist standards. Recently, the remaining members of the Old School Hymnal Board met with members of the "Songs of Zion" hymnal board and agreed to combine efforts to produce this new edition. “Songs of Zion,” much like the Old School Hymnal’s “Our Little Hymnal,” has introduced many new and blessed hymns to Primitive Baptist congregations. Given the history of the introduction of quality, doctrinal hymns in “Our Little Hymnal” and previous editions of the “Old School Hymnal,” a combined effort of folks from these two organizations looks like a good fit which is expected to produce a new and improved Hymnal! The new committee chosen to produce this edition includes the four remaining Old School Hymnal board members: Elders Wayne Peters, Dan Hall, Philip Green, and Brother Rodney Chandler. The three new members of the committee are Elders Bryce Lowrance, Tim McCool, and Marty Smith. Elders Lowrance and McCool serve as President and Vice-President of the Songs of Zion Board. Please be in prayer that God be glorified in this exciting new work. We also would like to extend an open invitation for any songs your congregation would like to see in the new hymnal including any new compositions from current Primitive Baptist composers. In Christ,
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