Music as a Power for Peace and Protection »

I was asked to speak at our Stake Conference a few months ago regarding music.  The experience really help me to grow and learn.  I include my thoughts and remarks here in hopes that some of the ideas and quotes might help others studying this topic.

For the Beauty of the Earth »

For SATB Chorus and Piano
For-the-Beauty-of-the-Earth-SCORE.pdf
For-the-Beauty-of-the-Earth-CHORAL.pdf
For-the-Beauty-of-the-Earth-PIANO.pdf

While I think the best setting of this text is undoubtedly John Rutter’s, this simple melody by Conrad Kocher brings an enjoyable 19th century folk hymn quality to the text.

Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise »

For SATB Chorus and Organ
Let-Zion-in-Her-Beauty-Rise-SCORE.pdf
Let-Zion-in-Her-Beauty-Rise-CHORAL.pdf
Let-Zion-in-Her-Beauty-Rise-ORGAN.pdf

I arranged this piece many years ago for a stake conference and subsequently for the BYU Men’s Chorus (Homecoming Spectacular) where Nate Hofheins arranged the orchestra (see the video on YouTube).

My Heavenly Father Loves Me »

For SATB Soli (or Chorus) and Piano
My-Heavenly-Father-Loves-Me-SCORE.pdf

Requested by close friend, (and talented Sleepy Hollow director) Courtney Knight, this piece was a joy to complete.  This has long been one of my favorite primary songs and I jumped at the chance to arrange it.  The intended performers are four soloists but I think this would work just as well with a choir.

How Gentle God’s Commands »

For SATB Chorus, Piano and Flute
How-Gentle-Gods-Commands-SCORE.pdf
How-Gentle-Gods-Commands-CHORAL.pdf
How-Gentle-Gods-Commands-FLUTE.pdf
How-Gentle-Gods-Commands-PIANO.pdf

My friend, Brenda Baugh, in the Lehi, Utah Stake, asked for this arrangement for an upcoming stake conference.  Every so often when arranging, a musical idea comes along that truly seems at one with the text.  Such was the case with How Gentle.

O Home Beloved »

For TB Chorus and Piano.
O-Home-Beloved.pdf
O-Home-Beloved-CHORAL.pdf
O-Home-Beloved.mp3
O-Home-Beloved-Piano.mp3

With only a handful of music-readers in the group, our ward priesthood quorums (adult and young men) received a call to sing this hymn at an upcoming meeting. 

This is the Place »

Our family recently decided to move (thus my temporary hiatus from the site!) and we ended up, surprisingly, in Cache Valley, Utah.  This isn’t where we intended to move when we started looking, but through powerful personal experiences with the spirit and answers to prayers, we know it’s where we are supposed to be – and it’s beautiful.

A Moment of Majesty »

It was truly a joy to participate in this February’s Stake Conference; the choir performed superbly, the speakers delivered powerful messages, and the Spirit enlightened our minds and inspired our souls. For my part, I was pleased with the arrangements overall; though I always find room for revision, these pieces seem solid; Come, Follow Me felt especially right.