Vocal Solo: WHAT CHILD IS THIS

I borrowed this from my Christmas Medley and adapted it into a simple piano/voice version for my Ward Primary kiddoes. We're working on songs for the Christmas Sacrament Meeting, and I wanted this song to be performed. What better way to avoid copyright issues than to use my own stock?   :D
Click HERE for a free PDF of sheet music.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

There are a few different hand positions for treble and bass.

Click HERE for free PDF of sheet music.  :)

Deck The Halls

For students who are proficient with 8th note reading, here is an easy version of Deck the Halls in G Major.

Click HERE  for the free PDF of sheet music. 

Holly Jolly Christmas

Finally an abridged version of a classic that is a little more user friendly!



Click HERE  for a free PDF of sheet music

Vocal Solo: "HE IS THE REASON"

It was Christmastime of 2011, but I was feeling very despondent.. We were packing everything up, selling whatever items and furniture people would buy, and getting ready for a major life change. At the same time, the hollowness of the season was weighing me down. Stores commercialize the holiday for gain, and yet fear to even mention Christ's sacred name. Schools are increasingly afraid to sing religious Christmas songs in their choir concerts. People are nervous to even wish someone else a "Merry Christmas".  I felt like the spirit of Christmas was disappearing right before my eyes, and it was discouraging.

I created this song as a way to share my testimony that JESUS CHRIST is the very reason we can rejoice in Christmas. He is the Light and Life of the world.  Someday everyone will know that for themselves.
But the song wasn't born easily. It stayed in my head, unsung, mulling around for nearly five years, until my good friend, Cecily, urged me to do something about it.  Perhaps someone could benefit from this song's message, and it was time.

Nervously I debuted HE IS THE REASON at my Christmas studio recital December 10th, 2015.

And now, two years later, I finally transcribed it so that anyone who would like to share this message can do so.

The lyrics are very personal to me.  They are truly how I feel. I hope you will feel the spirit of this message too.

PDF of "HE IS THE REASON"

Piano Solo ~Easy~ : O Christmas Tree

No dotted rhythms and key of C Major!
(This one's for you, Mr. K!)


PDF of easy piano "O CHRISTMAS TREE"

Piano solo ~Easy~: Away In A Manger

How about a version of "Away In A Manger" without the the dotted rhythms!  If further simplification is needed, have the student omit the left hand block chords.


Click the link for the free PDF of sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cRDdxbllBYlJBUDA/view?usp=sharing

Choral Hymn: Be Still My Soul

Our beloved Island of St.Maarten was hit HARD by Hurricane Irma. Irma was a Cat 5, and the eye went straight over the top of the island.  Widespread devastation was the result. I was really worried for the members of the LDS branch, but every single one of them survived the storm.
The hymn, Be Still, My Soul, often played through my mind when we lived in St.Maarten. Those were difficult and wondrous times. Everyone should experience living in the middle of the ocean, far away from your loved ones and from your comfort zone. It forces you to grow A LOT.

After Irma hit, I knew it was time to write an arrangement of this hymn.  I dedicated this arrangement to St. Maarten and to our island friends. My heart was right there with them as they worried when Irma approached, and now all the trials they are facing in trying to recover from the storm's aftermath.

 

CLICK here for the choral sheet music!
PDF of choral arrangement "BE STILL MY SOUL"

Click here for the cello part!  :)
PDF of CELLO part to choral arrangement "BE STILL MY SOUL"

Piano Solo ~ Easy~ Pink Flamingos

 A quick, tropical/animal doodle song created after church today. (Man I sure get more songs written out when I stay off of social media! ) This is a song that strengthens the right hand in playing thirds, as well as staccatos. 

Click Here to download the free PDF of sheet music of PINK FLAMINGOS:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cdkF6dzNDVHB5MUU/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo: Sunset Over A Tropic Isle

It is 1:29am, and I couldn't sleep, so this is the product of some late night noodling.
When living in St.Maarten, I noticed that the sunset would come on fast then disappear very quickly. If you aren't watching for it, you'd miss it!!  And once the ball dropped out of view, the sky would go black pretty dang fast.. The linger of twilight is a short lived experience, and so is this song.
I add some DELIBERATE clashing of major and minor in this song. The steady bitterness of encroaching darkness is at conflict with the majestic bursts of light rays that bounce from behind clouds and skip across the waves. Eventually the darkness wins out, but I added a Piccardy third at the end so that it would represent the happy memory of seeing such a beautiful part of nature.

That's the feel I would get every evening in St.Maarten.  Sunsets are beautiful; powerful in evoking emotion.

P.S. Robert doesn't like the Major vs minor clash, so he prefers to play the whole thing in d minor. Try it both ways and see which version you like best!



Click here to download the free PDF of Sunset Over A Tropic Isle:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cNHhXOHQ0UllhT0k/view?usp=sharing 


The left hand does a bit of cross over.  :)  Have fun!

Piano Solo: Mermaid Tails

  Since our next Summer Recital is Tropical themed, I was in the mood to write something new. This little song specifically strengthens the ability to read ledger lines as well as syncopated rhythms. Mermaid Tails is a great, whimsical sounding piece. You can almost here the the busy fin flipping when you listen to Mermaid Tails!
( Josi this song is dedicated to you and your awesome mermaid tail!)


Click here to download the PDF sheet music file.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cUTZtaDVDQUdMeFk/view?usp=sharing 

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~ "Winter In The Lower Peninsula" Song Set in 4 Movements

We spent four months in Michigan , but what an eye opening experience that was! As desert natives, Robert and I had never lived in a snowy climate, and Mother Nature put us in for a wild ride, producing the snowiest Detroit Winter in recorded History!!! 

This song set is a chronological collection of our brief Michigan experience, beginning with our  midnight arrival at the airport  the day after Christmas.

This Michigan experience was truly magical for us, and I hope that you will catch a glimpse of that in "Winter In The Lower Peninsula" .  :)

 In the midst of all the snow and tumult, there were some fascinating deer, raccoons and birds that kept us entertained from the view of our 3rd floor balcony apartment. On two different occasions,  we caught the sound of a mysterious bird that sang a rather unique and rhythmic tune. We never could see the bird that was doing it, nor has anyone been able to identify the bird for us. I was sad that I hadn't been able to get a recording of the bird, but sometimes God grants even the silliest of wishes. An hour before we had to leave to fly home, the bird came back one last time, and sang it's little tune. I was able to record it!  

"Call of the unknown bird"  is the last number in the set, but was the first to be written.  I used the spunky, rhythmic tune of that unknown bird as a recurring melody theme in the piece!!!!!  (I threw in some elements of snow storm as well. )

I. Snowflakes At Midnight
PDF of "SNOWFLAKES AT MIDNIGHT"

II.World Of Grey And White

III. Record Snowfall

IV. Call Of The Unknown Bird
PDF of "CALL OF THE UNKNOWN BIRD"


Sheet music for movements II and III will be added soon!








This video is a (somewhat sloppy) performance of Movement IV. Yes there are several mistakes, (only 20% of the music was written down at that time)  but it will give you an idea of the how it sounds.  :)

Piano Solo: ~Easy~ Deck The Halls

This song is great for a beginner student who loves Deck The Halls but has yet to learn 8th note counting. This arrangement has 4/4 time and some good PRIMARY CHORD practice!
(This one's for you, Miss J!)


Click here to download the PDF sheet music:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cbEkzcUFQOW5Zcms/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~ : What Child Is This

This is a more difficult intermediate level piano solo.  It's busy on the left hand, so keep that in mind if considering this for a student.

(I play this one all the time.  It is a bit crazy with the demands on the left hand, but a fun solo to perform at a Christmas recital or party!)


Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cWTloWWcxWlVPSDA/view?usp=sharing

Here is a link to the piece being played in recital by one of my students:

Choral ~SATB~ Christmas Medley Of Hymns

Here is a great compilation  of Angels We Have Heard On High, What Child Is This and O Come All Ye Faithful.
I pulled these three together because of the chronological storyline they follow. 

There's some extra OPTIONAL notes to stack the chords in if you have some ambitious 1st sops who know how to damp......or go full voice. Either way.  It's ward choir, so, ya know. ;)
And somewhere out there, a ward choir accompanist is going to want to kill me. I apologize in advance.  :D


Click the link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cVnZtYXBWcHp6TDQ/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~: 30 Second Song

Yes, I call this my "30 second song". Written in High School, I enjoyed noodling around with this one because it only took about 30 seconds to play. (Hence the name)
It a fun, past paced little piece that is over before you know it!

( Why hummingbirds? Because they are quick little dudes. )


Click here for the PDF sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cY3ktc21LaVJxYlk/view?usp=sharing

Choral Arrangement: Thanksgiving Medley Of Hymns

Here is a nice Thanksgiving Medley written for and performed by the Montelena Ward Choir (Queen Creek) in Fall of 2013.
This medley features  Father Thy Children To Thee Now Raise, We Gather Together To Ask The Lord's Blessing, and Come Ye Thankful People, Come.



Click this link to get the PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cVTBPOWZDZU84SFE/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~EASY~ Twirling Leaves

Depending on your Climate, this song could be referring to deciduous activity that happens in the Autumn OR Winter .   (over here, it's more a winter thing)

Twirling Leaves is a  moderate beginner piece written in 3/4 time,  has triplets, 8th notes, and spans a couple octaves.

click here for the PDF of sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cVzNweWtJalgzUXc/view?usp=sharing

Vocal Solo Arrangement: St.Maarten National Anthem

While in school, Robert was asked to sing the St.Maarten National Anthem at the upcoming White Coat Ceremony. The only copy on hand was a very old, poorly/inaccurately notated sheet of "music".  I did my best to FIX it in accordance with the ACTUAL  rhythm and notes that most people use when singing it.

Originally, after fixing all the faux pas (like 5 beats in a 4/4 measure, etc) I changed the rhythm even moreso that it would be easy for anyone to perform. But after listening to several youtube vidoes of native islanders singing their beloved Anthem, I went back and tried to make it as close to the original as possible out of respect to the local tradition. That meant bouncing back and forth between 3/4 and 4/4 quite a bit in the beginning of the song. Also, the original sheet music was in G Major which means that it was somewhat out of reach of the general populace, unless you are a confident tenor or a soprano. I took it down a third to E Major, so that more people could sing it without so much stress. Ha!

It went over pretty well at the Ceremony because they asked him to do it again the next semester!  :D






Oh sweeeeeeeeeet St. Maarten's land.......
click here to download the PDF of EM sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cU1JOS0g5WnBOb1U/view?usp=sharing

Here is a PDF of E FLAT Major, in case you find that easier on the fingers or the voice.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cRG1jdmpvN3psVWM/view?usp=sharing


And here is the streamlined version for those who want a consistent rhythm the entire piece:
E Major all in 3/4 time:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cdnZuSnZuYk1oUXc/view?usp=sharing
E Flat Major all in 3/4 time:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cd0l6cGRWTFdreXM/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~: Pelican Dive

Finally!!! Barely finished 10 minutes ago, and ready for the music blog!! I've been working on this song for the past several days, but the labor and delivery is over. (ha) Seriously,  it really feels like giving birth to write out new material...If not that, then defintely like pulling teeth. I'll take either comparison. Transcribing into sheet music form is my least favorite part about creating music. OY!!!!  (All the second guessing, back and forth decisions to scrap a piece or not, and mini internal meltdowns don't help either. You fellow composers know what I mean!)

Anyhow, this my second composition specifically dedicated to our island home. While in St.Maarten, we spent a lot of time staring out at the ocean. (That's about all you can afford to do down there!) And one of our favorite things to observe were the pelicans.  (Robert knicknamed them "Gulpies" because of their large beaks that could could gulp up water and fish.)

It is pretty entertaining to see the Gulpies dive bomb into the ocean, disappear for a bit, then emerge again.   :D

Pelican Dive is a LIVELY intermediate song in D Major  that keeps both hands pretty busy! Have fun!

click here for the PDF of sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cZnJsQ09iSmU2NEU/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Easy~ Jingle Bells

How about a simple arrangement of Jingle Bells that is NOT in the key of C???  Get your student used to G Major with this version!

Click here to download the PDF sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-ceGZXUTZ5ZEhELTg/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Easy~: Oh Holy Night

During a piano lesson today, I brought up that the next Recital will be Christmas themed. My student mentioned that he really wanted to play Oh Holy Night because it is his favorite Christmas song.
I came straight home and got to work, creating a simple version that includes the entire tune, but has just a handful of left hand chords, thin voicing, a 4/4 time sig and a polite key of C Major.

(This one's for you, Mr.J!)

P.S. (Note for teachers):If you want/need to abridge this due to student needs or time constraints, I would suggest skipping from the middle of measure 16 over to the middle of measure 32....(just a thought)

Click the link for a PDF of sheet music.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cZVAwdkRob29wLUk/view?usp=sharing

Vocal Solo: That's Where We'll Meet

Having grown up watching several of those Bing Crosby/Bob Hope classics such as "On the Road to Morocco, On the Road to Singapore, etc, etc,  I wanted to write a tropical song that had a charm/quaintness similar to the songs you hear on those shows.  :)

This is not only my first attempt at a vintage styled parlor song, it is also my first song dedicated to our years spent in St.Maarten!  I made sure to include a tribute to the Johnstone whistling tree frogs that were such a major part of the island experience.

(Side Note: D Major was chosen on purpose because it's not too difficult to play most of the chords on the Uke..except for maybe that darn B7 chord. Lol)

Click here for the PDF of sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cMElLUjRqWXBwZ3c/view?usp=sharing

Choral Arrangement~SATB~My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Behold the very first choral arrangement I ever attempted. This one dates back to 1998! Our Ward Choir Director, Jennie Green, asked me to do a little tweaking of the Primary Song "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" and....well....I went a little overboard. The Neely ward choir pulled it off though! Those altos deserved Klondike Bars! It was awesome!

I added a third verse just to make things interesting.
This song has some stretched rhythmic lines in the beginning, subtle dynamic changes that ebb and flow, as well as a rather busy accompaniment. This was intentional in order to simulate running water and butterfly wings, if you will. I hope you enjoy it!

(I've also been present in a Sacrament meeting where this was performed as a solo. Pretty cool! Thanks for inviting me, Melissa!)


PDF for "MY HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES ME" Choral Arrangement

Vocal Solo ~ART SONG~: Sea Fever

Here is a lively new Art Song of John Masefield's Sea Fever poem, arranged by Robert Wright. It's a great piece for male voices!

Click this link for a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cMkdZZmlYSmpBS2c/view?usp=sharing

Vocal Solo ~ART SONG~: Trade Winds

Here is a lovely Art Song with text by John Masefield and arranged by Robert Wright. It's a great piece for male voices.

Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cbVJadDJvdkozaDg/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Easy~: California Bound

Here is a fun, beginner level piece that conjures up visions of an old fashioned steam locomotive heading to the Gold Rush.  Originally written for my student,Taryn, to use in recital, this song is a great piece for practicing syncopation and accents!

Your student will love the train horns in California Bound!

(Yes, this picture was taken from inside a car, but in all fairness, we were driving to California at the time!)



Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cM3R2N0dQbEh1NVU/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~: Custer's Last Stand

This is a challenging and exciting intermediate piece with lots of tempo and mood changes, as well as frequent movement through multiple octaves. This is a good piece for students who have  strong rhythmic competency, as well as decent left hand dexterity.
(That's what happens when a lefty writes the song.)

Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-ceWlFaXpRUVBCeTA/view?usp=sharing

Choral Arrangement ~SATB~: Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Are you looking for a unique version of Hark The Herald Angels Sing, or something Baroque sounding that isn't as hard as The Messiah? Then this is the piece for your group!  With piano(or organ), 2 violins and SATB comprising the voicing, get ready for a little polyphony and some slightly tricky key changes.

Click this link to get the PDF for the sheet Music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cV3pFMmZ1cHpHdjA/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Easy~: Carol Of The Bells

A nice version of Carol Of The Bells that spans a couple octaves for some fun flashiness,  but has thin chord density, and is simple enough to learn quickly.

(this one's for you, Maleelah!)

Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cU2Q2RnhtWGZxQkE/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Super Easy~: Beach Sand

A great, Tropical themed ULTRA EASY piece for a beginner student.
Basic left hand chords for accompaniment, and key of C.
(This one's for you, Wesley!)


Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cV3NTYzVJUFRMYlU/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Super Easy~ Boogie Boarding

Here's another ULTRA BASIC Tropical song for your brand new beginners! Key of C, and a couple left hand chords on the second line. Piece of cake!

(This one's for you, Ethan!)

Click the link for a PDF of sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cNThLa2RiMEtBRkU/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Easy~: Tropical Flowers

Simple piece with some C scale practice included!

(This one's for you, Claire!)

Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cRWtfcGEybHdsclk/view?usp=sharing

Vocal Duet ~Hymns~: Abide With Me; 'Tis Eventide

Robert was asked to sing Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide for the August 18th, 2014 Sacrement Meeting.

This was another one of those last minute episodes where most of the creativity and road mapping happens the day before the performance.



The Bakersfield East Stake’s Young Womens’ President was in attendance during Sacrament Meeting, and asked for a copy of the music, so that made me buckle down and actually write out the notes, finally. (I tend to just do fake book style transcription or chord numbers scribbled into a hymn book when tweaking a hymn for a musical number) This PDF is pretty close (not exact) to the original performance.  The voice parts do overlap a couple times, so head’s up on that.
Thanks Elder Nine, for singing with Robert!


Click this link for a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cMTBmTS04eVVqZ28/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~: Spaghetti Western

And here is a great mash-up of several recognizable tunes.  :) The Perfect Spaghetti Western Medley!
( I uploaded a desert pic that has obvious jet trails in the sky...kind of fitting for the song topic. Lol)

Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cT0dkekE5NjItTms/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~: Painted Desert

This is a nice, tranquil, mood builder.
This was written specifically for my student, Lexi, to use in a western Recital.

Painted Desert is a great, reflective piece that I love to play when the house is really quiet. Don’t forget to use the pedal on this one!


Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cbmxJNUMtQ1U5S1U/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Intermediate~: Tombstone

Get ready for some left hand work on this awesome, infamous gun battle!
Tombstone is a hit with boys and young men.  You can almost see the chaps, spurs and gun smoke in this piece!

Click this link to get a pdf of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cN2RFV05ISnN5Y0U/view?usp=sharing

Piano Solo ~Easy~ : Joy To The World

This is a simple, abridged version of Joy To The World for beginners. No 8th notes, a metrically even  4/4 time signature, and the good ol' Key of C..It's a great piece for young students who really, really, really want to play Joy To The World! Lol.

(This one's for you, Jonas!)





Click this link to get a PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cbmdzTi02cEhSb0U/view?usp=sharing

Choral Arrangement ~SATB~ Silent Night

This sonorous version of Silent Night is versatile. Though written for SATB, it was performed by the Women's Jazz Ensemble. Cadence, at Mesa Community College a few years ago. (That took some creativity to reroute the mens’ parts for all women voices. ) This is no whimpy piece!  The voice parts split into 6 and sometimes more on certain chords. Have fun with the possibilities! Silent Night is a great, candlelit-type  mood piece, perfect for a concert's end.


Click this link for the PDF of sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cMm5oZ3pYc083Tmc/view?usp=sharing

Vocal Trio: Aloha Oe

Here is a simple arrangement for three voices of the classic Hawaiian send-off.

Side note: G Major is a great key when accompanying on the Ukulele. (GM, CM, DM, and even one simple A7 in there before the chorus) I like to throw I some G6 chords here and there for that classic "tropic" sound.


Click this link to get the PDF of the sheet music:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3A_oLvMRe-cXzg5VTZ2ZFVHWkU/view?usp=sharing