Categories
Production music Rock and/or Roll

A Valentine’s Day Gift

While Amy was busy Valentine’s eve blogging an ode to our former paperboy, I was preparing for today’s celebration of love by recording a song for her. Hmmm…

This new song started as an email from a music library that needed a song about sleeping or dreaming for a commercial. I thought to myself, “Surely I couldn’t find the time to write a song for this opportunity–I’m trying to finish a commission for orchestra by Monday evening.” But by the time I arrived at work Thursday morning I was already turning over ideas in my mind. One thing led to another, and I soon had finished a dreamy, stream of consciousness Nick Drake-ish love song for my one and only.

One of the things I’m excited about on this recording is that it marks the first fruits of my budding collaboration with the Allegro String Quartet. The women of ASQ and I have been reading through some of my quartet music–both legit and pop–and I’m pleased that we were able to capture this one while it was still fresh. Take a listen to When I’m Dreaming, and stay tuned for more recordings from us in the near future.

By the way, if you’re worried about Amy and the paperboy, don’t be. She redeemed herself later in the evening with a lovely blogpost revealing where her true affections lie.

Categories
Art Music Choir Church Congregational Songs Finale demo

The God of Abraham Praise

In December I blogged about an arrangement of mine that we used in this year’s Lessons & Carols service at Church of the Servant. The hymn “The God of Abraham Praise” fits beautifully with the reading about the calling of Abraham, so I arranged it for string orchestra, oboe and flute. It worked so well that I convinced Robert Nordling to commission a full arrangement for the Calvin College Orchestra. It will premiere Saturday, March 5 at 8pm in the Covenant Fine Arts Center. I hope to see you there. In the meantime, you can listen to Finalified MP3.

Categories
Art Music Choir

The Christian’s Farewell

My friend Carlos Colón-Quintana was kind enough to commission a new choral work for an upcoming concert at Baylor University. The concert is an interesting mix of children’s choir, fiddle, barbershop quartet, and strings, unified around the theme of William Walker’s Southern Harmony. I decided to write an arrangement of “The Christian’s Farewell,” which most of us know as “How Firm a Foundation.”

There was a point about a week ago at which I was having doubts that I could coax this into a finished composition that did justice to the depth of the text and the simplicity of the melody. But now I’m really pleased with how it turned out. (And, no, I don’t always say that.)

Having complimented myself on the score, I’ll quickly add that I’m not particularly proud of the demo included here. It’s a combination of Finale playing the instruments and me singing both the children’s and men’s choir parts. But, hey–you work with what you’ve got. Take a listen to the demo or read the lyrics below.

1. Farewell, my dear brethren, the time is at hand
That we must be parted from this social band;
Our sev’ral engagements now call us away,
Our parting is needful, and we must obey.

2. Farewell, faithful soldiers, you’ll soon be discharged,
The war will be ended, your bounty enlarged,
With shouting and singing, though Jordan may roar,
You’ll enter fair Canaan, and rest on the shore. Farewell.

3. Farewell, younger brethren, just listed for war,
Sore trials await you, but Jesus is near;
Although you must travel the dark wilderness,
Your Captain’s before you, he’ll lead you to peace.

4. Farewell, trembling mourners, with sad, broken hearts,
O hasten to Jesus, and choose the good part!
He’s full of compassion, and mighty to save,
His arms are extended, your souls to receive.

6. Farewell, my dear brethren, farewell all around,
Perhaps we’ll not meet till the last trump shall sound.
To meet you in glory I give you my hand,
Our Savior to praise in a pure social band.

Categories
Congregational Songs Psalms

All People that on Earth Do Dwell (Psalm 100)

I don’t make a habit of posting other people’s music at my blog, but in this case I thought I’d make an exception. You can read the story and hear a recording of Zac Hick’s “All People that on Earth Do Dwell” at the COS website, and you can download my piano and SATB arrangement here. Rock on, Zac!

Categories
Congregational Songs Psalms

Psalm 133: How Good It Is

Last week I met with my Nepali friends Peter and Prasad to work on a on a song. Since the song was for a combined service of Basic English Service attendees and our main congregation, we decided to write a song based on Psalm 133 with verses in Nepalese and refrain in English. The process of co-writing in two languages was fun and the result (if I may say so myself) was very successful. Take a look at the PDF or listen to the MP3.

Categories
Colin

Our Song Is Playing Still

Colin and I are back at it with a new collaboration: Our Song Is Playing Still. Do you happen to know Lionel Ritchie? Pass the MP3 or PDF along to him with our regards.

Categories
Quirky

Happy Birthday, Susan!

My friend Susan (no last name, just in case she doesn’t want this broadcast to the whole world) just turned 60. Her birthday invitation said “Please do not bring a gift, but it would be nice to bring a short original verse, a song (that you would have to sing), or a picture to share.” Of course, I read this about 20 minutes before the party while I was looking for directions.

What could I do, but compose a little something in her honor? Now don’t get me wrong: I don’t expect this to go down in history with Beethoven’s “Für Elise,”  Bach’s Notebook for Anna Magdalena, or the Beatles’ “Julia,” but it’s a little something to honor a fine woman on her sixtieth.

The 60 Year Waltz: MP3, PDF

By the way, the last two measures need a little explanation. That unlikely cadence is clearly lifted from the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s, but is also somewhat of a signature. After all, what do they sing during those iconic 3 chords? “Billy Shears” Sounds an awful lot like my name, doesn’t it?

Categories
Production music

Shine

Here I go again.

TV Commercial: Our client is looking to license a song that has lyrics based the idea of letting your light shine, or being a star (not in the sense of being a rock star). Looking for a song with a great chorus that conveys this idea. Needs to be something more on the contemporary side. Looking for something that is pop, rock, indie rock etc. It could have some electronic elements but it is not a requirement. No hip hop or country. Needs to feel new, fresh and have a great catchy hook. Genre: Various (Pop / Rock / Indie Rock / Something Unexpected

When I first read this, I did what I always do: I ran through a mental list of my existing songs or recordings that could work, then I started to brainstorm ways of approaching the project. In this case, it led to some free form guitar-playing around the song “This Little Light of Mine.” As I came up with new chords for the old Sunday School classic, it began to morph into something new. Late Friday afternoon I laid down all the tracks in two hours. (Kind of freeing to work that quickly.) Two more hours on Saturday and the tracks were clean and the basic mix was in place. Another hour of critical listening and tweaking early Sunday and then I sent it off between church services before the noon deadline. The life of a musician is so glamorous!

Take a listen to Shine.

Categories
Production music

Bright Idea/Joy to the World

Here’s how it works:

1. Theo’s taking a bath. I’m playing the guitar. I happen upon a little lick that I like. I jot it down. Just in case. (bright idea MP3)

2. Read the following opportunity listing:

Just in time for the Holiday season, our client is looking to license music for an upcoming advertising campaign. They are looking for something that lyrically helps tell the story of spreading joy, being out and about, feeling groovy, friendship and smiling. The track can have a modern or an older feel, but should feel original as opposed to Jingly/ Commercial. Should feel positive, simple, honest, happy, and be mid-tempo. They really want a song that is unique! This could be a great way to end your year with a bang and start the new year with some nice cash in your pockets!

3. Did they say “cash in your pockets”? Re-tool “Bright Idea” to fit the opportunity listing. Make it holiday-y without being too Christmas-y. (Joy to the World, draft MP3)

4. Add a bridge. Make “joy to the world” literal by adding a Penny whistle from Ireland, choir from South Africa, Tablas from India. Time it out to 60 seconds. Spend lots of time mixing, polishing, obsessing. (Joy to the World, final MP3)

5. Send it in.

6. Wait.

Categories
Colin

Catching up with Colin

I’ve had to put off writing new songs with Colin the last few months while I get everything in order at the church. But now that my Christmas planning is all in place, I’ve got a little time to write tunes for the lyrics that have been piling up in my inbox.

While Colin and I usually split duties–he’s the word guy and I’m the music guy–this time the lyrics he emailed me were accompanied by a recording of some melodic ideas. It was clear Colin was going for an old-time Gospel sound, and hey, I cut my teeth on that back at Apponaug Pentecostal Church in Rhode Island, so I just channeled all those childhood musical memories and out came “I Will Love You” (MP3, PDF)