Category Archives: Finale demo

Tenebrae: The Shadow of Death

With only two cellos (down from the original 7 of the first movement) the musical options in this 6th movement are quite restricted. I had to focus on texture rather than harmony. The musical gesture that gives this movement its … Continue reading

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Tenebrae: The Shadow of Crucifixion

At first glance, this 5th movement of my Tenebrae cello composition may seem mismatched with its scripture. Why such beautiful, lilting music for story of the crucifixion? A few reasons. First, you can only dramatize a story so far with … Continue reading

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Tenebrae: The Shadow of Accusation

I think I’m over the hump with this movement. It’s the 4th out of 7 movements, and it’s the fastest, most complex movement of them all. (Fast music means more notes in less time, which makes it more time consuming … Continue reading

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Tenebrae: The Shadow of an Unshared Vigil

In this third movement, we’re down to five cellos out of the original seven. Because the scripture reading that accompanies this movement tells of Jesus leaving the others three times to pray, I gave a solo cello three “recitatives.” I’m … Continue reading

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Tenebrae: The Shadow of Desertion

The 2nd movement of my Maundy Thursday piece for cellos. Since the text  begins with “when they had sung the hymn,” I decided to give this movement a hymn-like structure–very simple rhythms with a singable melody. Of course, the harmonies … Continue reading

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Tenebrae: The Shadow of Betrayal

One of the most powerful services of the church year is the Tenebrae service on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week. It is a sequence of solemn readings from the last scenes of Jesus’ life as he descends toward the cross. One … Continue reading

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O Sacred Head, descants

Update 3/22/22: Sheet music for these descants is now available at gregscheer.com. I can’t let a Holy Week go by without writing a little something, right? Here is a double descant that we’ll use as the intro and over the … Continue reading

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In Your Pentecostal Splendor

I was recently commissioned to arrange “In Your Pentecostal Splendor” for the Calvin College Lessons & Carols service. This hymn might be new to you, but at my church we sing it every week during one of our Pentecost season … Continue reading

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Three for Emily Brink: What Wondrous Joy

Update 3/12/22: Sheet music for this song is now available at gregscheer.com. The grande dame of congregational song, Emily Brink, recently retired. I was asked to provide some music for a book celebrating her career: “One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: A … Continue reading

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Lo, How a Loser, orchestra edition

Update: Sheet music for this arrangement is available at gregscheer.com. I recently entered an orchestration of my choral anthem, “Lo, How a Rose” in a contest. I thought for sure I had this one in the bag. Alas, there was … Continue reading

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