Music Archives - Finding the Meaning in Everyday Life

O Sing to the Lord

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.

person playing wind instrument — Photo by Teddy Yang on Pexels.com

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.

To access the complete score click HERE.

The Prayer

a person in orange shirt with hands together — Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.com

The Prayer is a beautiful piece of music. I’ve heard it sung by many different artists, and now I get the chance to play it on my harp. Some of my favorite vocal performances are by Celine Dion, Andrea Bodeli, and Josh Groban. It was written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Tony Renis, and Alberto Renis. While I’d like to say the lyrics are what initially attracted me, I love the Italian version by Bocelli, but I don’t speak or understand Italian so it obviously isn’t just the lyrics. However, the lyrics are quite inspirational, a prayer for faith, justice, hope, peace, and brotherhood.

I was excited to find this Late-Beginner version arranged by Christy-Lyn Dose at Learning the Harp. I love how the melody flows and is supported by the left-hand chords. As my harp skills continue to grow I will certainly seek out other arrangements of this piece that are more difficult, and hopefully just as lovely. For the harpists out there, do you have a favorite arrangement? I’ve attached a video of one of my practice sessions with this song. I hope you enjoy it.

Choosing Lyrics

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.

music notes — Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

Who is going to sing this? usually my church choir

How long should it be? between 3-5 minutes is pretty good

Where will it be sung? probably at church

Will it be accompanied or sung a capella? accompanied

How will the accompaniment support the lyrics? always a mystery

What is the mood of the poetry or lyric? contemplative, inspirational, or praise suits best for the church setting

black and gray microphone — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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

woman wearing winter clothings — Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

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 can access the full score here.

piano keys illustration — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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.

I hope you enjoy it.

Harp Journey

I love playing my harp and I wanted to share just a little more about my harp journey. I’ve been playing since March of this year. When I made the decision to play I didn’t realize how much I would really love playing. That doesn’t mean that my journey thus far has been effortless. I did come into it with the advantage of being able to read music and having experience playing and performing on other instruments. I’ve never really been aware that this was a gift and privilege to have learned music at such an early age and continued it throughout my adult life. I’ve come across many new harpists that didn’t have that background and are struggling.

The other advantage I’ve had is that I’m not particularly avoidant or fearful about playing in public. I’m more nervous playing the harp than I am the piano, or singing. It requires a lot more focus when playing harp just because it is new. Therefore, distractions during a performance have a bigger impact on me.

This Christmas season I have a lot of opportunities to play publicly, at church and at Eastern Star meetings. Whenever I play people are just thrilled to get to hear a harp, even if I’m not playing anything particularly stunning. I’m still working on beginner to advanced beginner music so hopefully by next year I’ll be able to play something more elaborate. But even these beginner pieces are fun to play and people seem to like them.

Here is a piece, not Christmas, that I recorded recently. Is it perfect? No. Did I love doing it? Yes.

If you have ever wanted to play the harp – Go For It. I’ve been using both a local teacher for hands-on corrections and online instruction at www.learningtheharp.com. The instructors there are wonderful and I very much enjoy the harp community they have created. I really value all of the encouragement they have given and the constructive feedback.

Jolie

I’ve got a new Jolie hybrid harp. In March I started learning to play the harp. I rented a 26-string Dusty Strings Ravenna just to see if I really liked it. Less than a month into this grand experiment I knew that I wanted a harp of my own. The process of choosing one was daunting. There is so much to consider and the investment isn’t insignificant.

My first thought was a larger harp from Dusty Strings. They have a great reputation. My hammered dulcimer was from there so I felt comfortable with the company. Wonderful wood. Rich tones. But really heavy so harder to take to church and other places. There were others I considered seriously including a carbon fiber harp from Heartland Harps. The sound was nice and they were really, really light. Unfortunately the customer service wasn’t great.

Then I heard about MusicMakers harps. The one I chose is a Jolie hybrid with carbon fiber structure and wood on the outside. Their customer service was magnificent. Rich tones, but much lighter than the Dusty Strings. I decided that as I get older the low weight will make it easier for me to get it in and out of the car to play at church.

Waiting for it to arrive was awful. Originally they quoted about 100 days to manufacture and ship. Imagine my surprise when I got a notice that it was ready to ship almost 2 months early. It took about a week to arrive – a very long week. But very much worth it.

Here is the Jolie hybrid

I had intended to have two videos, one on each harp. But unfortunately the one on the Ravenna got accidentally deleted.

May The Love of The Father

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.

Veni, Veni Emmanuel

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

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.

Jubilate Deo

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.

Psalm 100:1-2 (From The New American Standard Bible (Zondervan)

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness

Come before Him with singing.

Jubilate Deo - photo of people rejoicing

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!

To see more, click here or leave me a message.