“Why are you giving your music away?”
A fair question with a reasonably easy answer: to help proclaim truth and spread beauty. Altruistic? I suppose it is a bit; but I hope it doesn’t sound proud or patronizing.Music resonates with me in myriad ways, most of which I cannot fully explain in words. Recognizing a world of melody, rhythm, harmony and tone as an acute inner language, one that best expresses my “true” self, ranks among my earliest memories. As I become older I more fully enjoy the depth, meaning and practical understanding of words like “love”, “peace”, “companion”, “family”, “knowledge”, “light”, and “God.” Music, and its unique ability to precisely articulate an eternal language, prepared in my soul the seeds of these important concepts; music continues to broaden my understanding of beauty and truth that I hope someday will bear eternal fruits.
My experience with music, learning and the spirit convinces me that the prophets are right: “Music has boundless powers for moving [us] toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel … [It] can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action. [It] can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace.” (The First Presidency Preface, HYMNS, 1985)
My musical ability comes from a loving and gracious Heavenly Father who blesses me with talents. My arrangements represent my own expression of testimony concerning the truths found in the sacred settings we call hymns. I believe and hope that, in a small measure, these hymn arrangements can assist wards and stakes in their efforts to preach the gospel.
I count among my greatest blessings the continual opportunity to write and arrange for choirs in the church, large and small. My life’s mission includes sharing my talents so as to uplift, inspire and encourage goodness; it is to educate and uplift by teaching truth and spreading beauty.
President Thomas S. Monson noted today, in General Conference, that “we’ve been blessed by the fine talks which have been given, we’ve also been uplifted by the beautiful music which has been provided. We are abundantly blessed in the church by those who share their musical talents with us.”
Music is my gift; it is my testimony. I am happy to share what I’ve been so freely given. And I am blessed, and honored, to participate in the process.
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Thanks for the kind comments and the encouragement, Rebecca. While it may not be for everyone, this philosophy certainly works for me. I am definitely trying to make easier arrangements in general, but I just don’t seem to have as much time as I used to! Good luck with your choir; I’m sure the Lord with bless you as you continue to teach others about music and the gospel.
Hi!
You have no idea how much I agree with your philosophy and I wish more people thought the same way. I live in Mexico, where music is not really taught in school so much as it is in the US, so choirs even in strong and big wards have more trouble with music. I try hard to find arrangements that my pianist and choir members will find not so hard to sing, but most of them I have to pay for. Your arrangements are a little complicated but beautiful, and the easiest ones I think we could pull off with a lot of work. Still I am grateful, to find people that are willing to share their music talent for others to be inspired and lifted free of charge!
Thank you so much for this! You truly know what music is in Church, and what talents are all about in the Kingdom of God!
I just finished one earlier this week (hope it will work in time for you): http://www.soundsmithmusic.com/2008/12/away-in-a-manger-tb/
Do you have any TTBB Christmas songs?
Thanks!