O Sing to the Lord is song of praise for 3 part mixed voice choir, piano, and flute. The vocal parts are composed in a traditional round form and the flute adds contrasting rhythm and harmony. While the three voice parts could be similar voices, I had intended that each of the parts would include mixed voices so that no one part would dominate over another.
The words are not specific to any Biblical passage, but instead are a repeated theme throughout the Bible. Since praising God through song and instruments brings me incredible joy I decided to use words about singing praise for this project.
O Sing to the Lord all the Earth.
Praise Him. Praise Him.
Sing praise to the Lord.
Originally I had not intended to compose for any instrument other than voice and piano. Prior to this composition I did use hand drum, but this is my first time adding flute. Since writing this I have also written for saxophone, handbells, organ, and harp. I’m enjoying learning more about what each instrument can do in combination with voices.
It can be used at any point in a worship service but was initially intended for an introit. Think of it as an invitation to woshipers to be joyful during worship. I have observed that often people come to church believing that the appropriate mindset is serious and somber. The Bible tells us otherwise.
Choosing lyrics to begin a composition seemed like it should be the easiest part of the process. WRONG! I started out just looking at poetry or scripture that I liked. But sometimes the poem was too long to really work with. Other times it seemed too short. Then there is the issue of copyright and how to go about getting permission to set someone else’s words to music. So then I decided the simplest way was to just use anonymous texts or writing my own. At this point in my journey I’ve done all of the above with various levels of success.
I found that there were other things to consider as well.
These are the questions that actually wake me at night. I’m currently on what I consider a minimalist journey, using 8 lines or less of text. This offers the opportunity to play with the words using different sequences, extensions, and repetitions. I don’t know how many songs I will write with this basic concept but it is fun for now.
Winter Wind is a piano composition that captures the briskness, strong gusts, and periods of general ferosity that the winter weather can bring. I live high in the mountains and the wind is often more fierce than the temperatures or snow. In some passages I feel the plodding of a traveler trying to make forward progress in a strong headwind. And in others the wind is at your back.
The key center is Gm, with a definite modal feel. I particularly like the contrast of the triplets that are interrupted by quarter notes and the bone rumbling tones of the lower bass notes. This might be a great filler piece, creating contrast for a longer set list. Or, perhaps it could have a place in your fall or winter repertoire.
You will note that this is an original composition, begun in 2023. I’ve worked at it on and off since then, alternating with other pieces of music, and changing a note or two here and there. Although I’ve played piano since I was about 5, I find piano composition much more difficult than I would have expected. Finally I am satisfied with this one. Is it perfect? No, but it does capture the essence of what I had wanted to put on the paper.
May the Love of the Father is yet another moving prayer from John Birch. It calls upon the power of the Holy Trinity to lift our spirits bringing peacefulness to our lives. John Birch has an ability to convey the mystery God’s love in language that speaks to the modern day heart.
May the love of the Father, the tenderness of the Son, and the presence of the Spirit gladden your heart, and bring peace to your soul; this day and all days. Amen.
I chose to set these words as a benediction response or blessing. The composition debuted in worship for the first time at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church in Rio Rancho NM. It is written for four-part (SATB) choir with piano accompaniment. The voice parts are in a comfortable range for most volunteer choirs. The flowing accompaniment supports the choir, rising and falling to provide a sense of movement and encouragement.
I have always loved the sung responses used during worship. I have enjoyed writing a variety of introits, prayer responses, and benediction responses. Sometimes they take me a while, but this one seemed to speak to me almost immediately after I read Mr. Birch’s prayer. I added an Amen to this composition simply because I just like the feeling I get when I sing them.
A midi audio of the composition is available for you below.
If you would like a copy of this composition you can find it HERE. A selection of other compositions can be found at Music Notes Market Place.
One of the lessons I am learning as an adult student of both composition and voice is humility. This humility is necessary in order to set aside any excess pride or superiority that can interfere with my learning. That isn’t always comfortable. Some definitions of humility include.
A modest or low view of one’s own importance
Freedom from pride or arrogance
The feeling or attitude that you have no special importance that makes you better than others
Not believing you are superior to others
While I believe all of these definitions are accurate, they don’t fully capture my experience as an adult learner. Then I found a description that was more illuminating. It said that people who are humble can still think highly of themselves, but are also aware of their mistakes, gaps in knowledge, and imperfections. This awareness of mistakes, gaps in knowledge, and imperfections has been very important in my current student status.
Jeff Boss at Forbes.com (3/1/25) wrote that humble people are confident and competent in themselves so much that they can help others. They don’t feel the need to boast but let their actions speak for their ideals. They don’t feel the need to show others how much they know. Humble people actively listen to others, and they are eager to understand others because they are curious. They are perpetual learners and realize that they don’t have all of the answers. Also, they glean knowledge from the experiences of others and crave more opportunities to learn. They accept feedback, assume responsibility, and they ask for help.
When I am able to engage in this manner I find that I am able to focus my attention on learning rather than trying to prove how much I already know, a practice that interferes with learning. It is also sometimes very difficult for me to ask for help. Unfortunately this has been my default mode for most of my life and now I’m trying to fill in the gaps in knowledge that resulted.
So what can we do to show up ready for learning in this way? I think the first step is to take a good look at your reasons for being in the situation. Are you there to get praise or acknowledgement for your brilliance or are you there to expand your knowledge? What behavior or attitude will help you most to achieve your goal. Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE praise and validation. But I learn the most when I don’t let that be what motivates my behavior.
The second step may be to identify where your areas of weakness might be as well as how willing you are to be vulnerable enough to show those areas of weakness to the person(s) that are trying to teach you something. For me that is sometimes not at all vulnerable and other times I can choose to be extremely open. This does not always feel comfortable, but with a trusted mentor or teacher, it can be so extremely effective.
Veni, Veni Emmanuel (O Come, O come Emmanuel) is an anthem for Advent, utilizing SATB choir, piano, and handbells, anticipating the coming of Christ. It includes both Latin and English lyrics of praise, worship, and anticipation.
I have always loved handbells. I spent a lot of my life at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio where the music program is massive. Both of my sons played in various handbell choirs, and I even had the opportunity to ring a bell or two for ornamentation during a choir anthem. My current choir also has a very enthusiastic and talented bell choir. They were quite supportive and helpful as I wrote this piece.
If you have read other posts, you already know that I love choral music. It seemed to be a natural transition to combining them in one composition. Then, when you add in that I love Christmas music it was a no-brainer. I also love singing in Latin, making the whole experience a lot of fun. Why Latin you might ask. Its the vowels. Nice round vowel sounds.
Alternating the melody between the handbells and singers created a joyous celebration where no one feels left out. For the singers, the range is generally moderate. The tenor and base are in unison, with rare divisi while the soprano and alto are generally divided, with occasional unison. Veni, Veni Emmanuel uses 22 handbells, and can be doubled for larger groups. Performance time is approximately 3:15.
The composition was first performed on December 17, 2023 at Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church with the Chancel Choir and the JuBELLation Ringers and was well-received. I’m starting to think about what other handbell/choir piece I might compose. Its too late for this year, but perhaps a jubilant Easter anthem for 2025?
May the Peace of God is based on Philippians 4:7 and offers an assurance that we do not need to be anxious about anything. God has it all covered in ways that we cannot even begin to understand. In times of doubt, pray. In times of uncertainty, pray. When we have troubled minds, pray. Protect yourself with the power of Jesus Christ and experience peace.
I love the poetic feel of the King James passage “and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ”. I also like the NASB translation. “As the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.” It just seems a little more clear in the NASB translation that it is God who protects our hearts and minds, not us.
For context, this scripture is embedded between an admonition to make our requests known to God and a reminder that we need not be anxious. There is also the instruction to focus on what is right and true, behave honorably, and to dwell on the good things.
My composition is written for SATB voices, with or without piano accompaniment. My church choir did it a few times with accompaniment. Later, after the choir was more familiar with the composition, they sang it a capella. Both went well even though we are a small choir. The mood is generally soft and reassuring, just like the scripture verses. The vocal range is moderate with optional divisi for the bass voices. It can be used at any point in a worship service, but was intended for a benediction response.
Would you like to see more of this composition? Click here. Interested in some of my other compositions? Visit MusicNotes through this link.
I Will Sing Alleluia was a really fun composition experience. It originally started as a longer piece, with a long introduction and piano interludes. Over many months, and multiple revisions it became an introit for choir and piano. The tone is positive, and a song of gratitude. I am really drawn to songs of praise and cascading alleluias or amens. There is a repeated message of “I will Sing” that admonishes me that I am to sing to God in all circumstances, not just those that please me. While it is often difficult to put into practice, this song is a great reminder.
Although I began writing I Will Sing Alleluia in 2020, this year I was able to experience it being sung during worship in two different churches. It was incredibly exciting… and terrifying. I felt somewhat vulnerable putting my creative product to the test in a public performance. But, in both churches it went really well and the feedback was positive. Whew!
The text is based on Psalm 59:16. According to the New American Standard Bible, Psalm 59 is a prayer for deliverance. The psalm is one of many that are attributed to David. The beginning of the psalm includes multiple requests for help from God in order to protect him from his enemies. There is also an acknowledgement of God’s strength. It ends with the statement of gratitude for God’s lovingkindness and the statement of praise that this song is based upon.
Jubilate Deo – Be Joyful in the Lord. This is an original setting of the words from Psalm 100:1, and sung in Latin and English. From The New American Standard Bible (Zondervan), Psalm 100 is a Psalm for Thanksgiving and an admonition for praise.
This setting is a 2-part round for mixed voices and piano accompaniment. The bright and joyful melody conveys a call for rejoicing among all people. The practice of singing in round exemplifies that rejoicing independently and together.
Jubilate Deo omnis terra. Laudate Dominum. Rejoice in God, all the Earth. Sing praise to God. Alleluia!
With One Voice is a short piece of worship music based on Romans 15:5-6. It describes the desire for the people of God to live in peace and harmony. This can be achieved by living in the example of Jesus and through the collective activity of praising God. The song admonishes that we should sing as if with one voice, rather than as individuals. The melody is one of joyous praise and it ends in an acknowledgment of God’s majesty. Written for SATB choir and piano accompaniment, it would be appropriate for introit, benediction, or orison.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to live in such harmony
with one another in accord with Jesus Christ
that together you may, with one voice,
Glorify the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I’ve set the words of others several times and written my own poetry. With this piece I’ve enjoyed interpreting Biblical verse. All are inspirational to me when composing worship music. Writing this brought me great joy and it is my sincere wish that it brings joy to all that sing it or hear it.
Click HERE or contact me directly if you are interested in seeing more.
