New Music Binders:

Our YW are looking at putting together about 50-60 binders for the new music that is coming out to be distributed in the pews for those who don't use the Library app for whatever reason. Where looking at binders with sheet protectors so when a new batch of songs comes out we can just add to what we have.

Is anyone else in a ward that has done something like this? If so, what did you do and how is it working. Does anyone have an idea what the end-state of new hymns looks like? The announcements have said the new hymnbook to be released around mid-2027 will have "about 375 hymns" but with 341 in the current hymnbook (some of which will be replaced, like national anthems), I wouldn't anticipate more than 100 new hymns in total (currently there are 48 new hymns).

Binders with sheet protectors make sense for the accompanist and music leader, but for the congregation, I'd recommend printing the pages double-sided, hole-punching them, and putting them in paper folders with brads. It will be cheaper, lighter/easier to hold, less likely to cause injury when grabbed or pulled by a child, and easier to store (whether in the hymnal holders or a separate box/cabinet). Paper folders can hold ~100 pages (or ~200 double-sided pages).

sbradshaw wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:15 pm Binders with sheet protectors make sense for the accompanist and music leader, but for the congregation, I'd recommend printing the pages double-sided, hole-punching them, and putting them in paper folders with brads. It will be cheaper, lighter/easier to hold, less likely to cause injury when grabbed or pulled by a child, and easier to store (whether in the hymnal holders or a separate box/cabinet). Paper folders can hold ~100 pages (or ~200 double-sided pages).

We kind of tried that, two sheets to a page landscape format to save paper but they get trashed really quickly from being stuffed in and out of the hymnal holders during Sacrament. Not that some of the binders won't get trashed but we don't have a problem with the hymnals themselves getting trashed so the 'hope' is that would carry over to binders. It's definitely worth considering though. They are in the early stages of brainstorming right now.

tonynocchi wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 2:36 pm Is anyone else in a ward that has done something like this? If so, what did you do and how is it working.

Our ward just uses blue paper folders (perhaps brad folders is the correct term) with music printed on both sides of the paper. They seem to be holding up well enough and they have been able to add to the songs as they are released. The paper is a bit heavier weight. Somewhere between a 24 lb and a 65 lb paper I think but not quite heavy card stock.

We use the brad/paper folders. Our decision was aided by the thought that the new hymnbook will arrive in about two years, and that when it does, all of the hymns will have new numbers, making our temporary copies obsolete.

The organist and music director do have nice three-ring binders with sheet protectors.

Our ward bought 85 three-ring binders and has put sheet protectors in each one to hold all the new hymns. It cost us about $350 for the initial purchase and we've spent probably another $500 on sheet protectors so far to hold all of the new songs. The plastic sheet protectors have kept all the printed songs in good shape. We used 1.5 inch binders but they are now full so the next batch we will probably need to buy 2 inch binders if we want to continue the process. That will cost another $450-$500 probably. We have three wards in the building that are splitting the costs. It has been a lot of work to print and stuff the music into the plastic sheets but the end result is a good one. The paper stays in good shape and it looks better and less messy than the paper brad folder, but it is more expensive for sure.

Plastic brad folders could also be considered. They may stay in good condition longer than paper brad folders. But also factor in that the need is temporary, and expending extra to keep the printed music looking good as new may not be worth it.