I wrote two SATB pieces to be considered for the new Hymnbook revision. The first is called “In The Garden Quietly” and the second is “Bless Us, O Father”. I have links here to the pdf sheet music for both of these. Please download or print them and use them if you feel inclined, even if just to try them out for yourself and let me know how you like them.

1. In The Garden Quietly

The text describes the scene of Jesus and the disciples at the Mount of Olives, Jesus goes on in prayer with the father to atone for the sins of the world in the place called Gethsemane as the others sleep by. The sacrifice he made was what none other could do and he gave all to bear our pains and sorrows and to make eternal life possible as we follow him. Intended as a congregational hymn but it would also do very nicely as a special choir musical number due to the lush harmony which evokes emotion and reflection.

2. Bless Us, O Father

I wrote two children’s songs this year to be considered for the new Children’s Songbook revision. The first is called “Personal Revelation” and the second is “Just Like Him”. I have links here to the pdf sheet music for both of these. Please download or print them and use them if you feel inclined, even if just to try them out for yourself and let me know how you like them.

1. Personal Revelation

Personal Revelation has a melody that came to me in the Spring when I doubled down on my goal to finish some pieces to submit. I was contemplating ideas late one night and I started humming this melody. The next day at work I was humming it as I walked around the office and the lyrics started coming “I know that I’m a child, a child of heavenly parents. And so I know I have a home, a home in heaven above”. It was such a beautiful, and comforting thought to me, amid the frustrations of daily life I need to be reminded of these simple truths. The song goes on to talk about how prayer and revelation is available to all of us to lift us up and get us through the difficulties of life. 

The song has two verses and the verse has a melodic AABA format with the B section adding some nice climax and modulation in the harmony while still keeping a melody that everyone can sing along with.

2. Just Like Him

This is a fun song, but it conveys a very important message: We can be like Jesus. It is a short and bouncy melody with 3 verses, each of which end with the declaration “Just Like Him I’ll Be!”. The verses say with confidence that we have a body and will rise again like Jesus, we can love, serve, and teach our neighbors just like Jesus did.  

Pertaining to the Hymnal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:

The most common key used for hymns is G major, although among the subset of sacrament hymns, they are most likely to be in E flat major. Surprisingly, the key of A major is used less than 1 percent of the time and not a single hymn is in the key of E major! 

91% of all hymns are in one of these 6 keys: G, D Eb, C, F, Bb Add Ab to the list and those 7 keys encompass 97% of all hymns.Only 5 of the 341 selections are in minor keys.