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.  :)