Category Archives: Art Music

Psalm 119: Gimel

A quick refresher: Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, an acrostic poem with 22 sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This third movement is “Gimel.” As with the previous two movements, the music is all about transformation. … Continue reading

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Psalm 119: Beth

Continuing our series from Psalm 119, here is Beth. Beth is not only a woman’s name and the title of a ballad by Kiss; it is also the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this second section of Psalm … Continue reading

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Psalm 119: Aleph

For the last three years, I have been quietly chipping away at a composition of behemoth proportions. It is now time to release it. And I mean “release” in two senses of the word: Over the next few days, I … Continue reading

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#5 (piano miniature)

In 2019, I started a series called Piano Miniatures. I had planned to write 14 short pieces, each with a corresponding meter (i.e. #7 would be in 7/8 time). I finished four of them, and ever since, a lonely sketch … Continue reading

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Psalm 65: We Praise You, God, in Silence and Singing

Update 12/11/21: Sheet music for this song is now available at gregscheer.com. I was honored that Bethany Cok and Josh Parks asked me to compose music for their wedding. I’ve played with Josh many times before at Church of the … Continue reading

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Proof of Concept

I’ve been a fan of M.C. Escher for a long time. One of the things that fascinates me about his art is how he meticulously worked out his tesselations on graph paper before incorporating them into a finished print. These … Continue reading

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Binsey Poplars at Baylor University

I was privileged to receive a commission from Baylor University to compose a piece on the Gerard Manley Hopkins poem, “Binsey Poplars.” The poem is an ode to Hopkins’ once-favorite, now-felled trees, but it is also a meditation on the … Continue reading

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25, for orchestra (World Premiere)

This spring, I had the great good fortune to compose a new piece for the Calvin Community Symphony’s 25th-anniversary concert. Below are the program notes: It may seem obvious—even unimaginative—to name a piece commissioned for a 25th anniversary concert “25.” What … Continue reading

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#4 (piano miniature)

In the past few years, I’ve played through almost all of Scott Joplin’s piano music. His music is intelligent, full of life, and simply fun. I wish I was more of a pianist, because I really don’t do his compositions … Continue reading

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#3 (piano miniature)

This third piano miniature is–not surprisingly–in 3/4 time. It reminds me a bit of Erik Satie’s whimsical compositions. While the meter is the “straight man,” remaining in an elegant waltz tempo, the harmonies never seem to land quite where you … Continue reading

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