May Our Hearts Sing of Peace is a choir anthem I wrote in 2023 using the words of John Birch with his permission. The song is a prayer asking God to help us feel and express His peace, His joy, His forgiveness, His Grace in the world. The final words are a reminder that we … [Read more…]
We’ve all had broken dreams. Maybe you didn’t get the bicycle you wanted for Christmas. Did your cruise to the Bahamas get cancelled? Perhaps you were told, like I was, that you couldn’t be an astronaut when you grow up because you are a girl. Was there a broken dream of having a “till death … [Read more…]
In The Shadow of Your Wings is a song of praise and thanksgiving for God’s love, care, and protection throughout the challenges and mistfortunes of our lives. It acknowledges that we make it through those things because of God’s power. The lyrics are based on Psalm 63:7. Oh God, You have been my help. You … [Read more…]
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 … [Read more…]
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 … [Read more…]
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 … [Read more…]
I’ve mentioned it in other posts, I love a good Amen! I grew up in a church where you could usually expect an amen of some type at the end of every hymn. Obviously there was an amen at the end of every prayer as well. Therefore it is both familiar and comforting to have … [Read more…]
May the Beauty of God utilizes the beautiful prose from John Birch to create a song of praise. I learned about John Birch while I was searching for poetry that I would like to set to music. I found his work at www.faithandworship.com where there is a bit of a bio and access to a … [Read more…]
My God Accept My Heart This Day was written by Matthew Bridges (1800-1894). According to songsandhymns.org he was born in Maldon Essex and raised in the Anglican church. He later converted to Catholicism. After residing in Canada for a while, he moved back to England. He then lived at the Convent of the Assumption at … [Read more…]
Savior, Teach Me Day by Day was written by Jane Eliza Leeson in 1842 and it has been included in Hymns & Scenes of Childhood. It is considered a hymn of obedience to God. Jane Eliza Leeson was born in 1807 or 1808 in Wilford England. She was christened at St. Mary’s Church in Nottingham … [Read more…]