What’s everybody working on this week?

I’ve just completed Mass No. 2 in G minor — and instead of slowing down, I’ve gone straight back to Mass No. 1. Today I orchestrated the final movement of what I’m calling my Lutheran Mass — a bright, hymn-like “Cum Sancto Spiritu” in G major for SATB choir, strings, oboe and flute. It’s confident. Joyful. Direct. And here’s the interesting part… This was actually the very first movement I ever orchestrated now it closes the whole work. There’s something deeply satisfying about that — beginning and ending in the same key, in the same spirit of praise: Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. Two Masses. Two very different characters.But both rooted in the same desire — to write music that is singable, clear, and full of glory. Please listen and like the channel. How does it make you feel?

My large choral and orchestral work Mass no 2 is going to be performed by the Fareham philharmonic choir and orchestra in the future. They have also commissioned me to write some music for a Christmas concert. God opens doors!

It’s been a busy week for me with several projects on the go. What about you?

This is a poem I recently wrote. My son-in-law who is a composer is working on putting it to music and I hope that it be presented as part of a contemporary ballet, when finished. (sorry, but the formatting seems to have messed up in the copying of it.) Melody of Creation In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD and the WORD was GOD. HE was with GOD in the beginning. Through HIM all things were made and without HIM nothing was made that was made. In HIM was LIFE and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 The Word opened His mouth and as He spoke a melody poured out, ancient and pure and strong, quietly saturating the atmosphere. The galaxies resonated with the melody, echoing it back to the Creator, each in its own tempo and pitch. Angels sang in chorus, harmonizing in intricate patterns that carried the melody to all of creation, radiating colors beyond the rainbow. With each new creation, new harmonies wove into the creation and still the WORD did not stop. Growing jealous of his CREATOR, the Angel of Light rebelled becoming the Angel of Darkness singing in harsh, discordant tones as he sought to become like the WORD. The FATHER heard the disharmony and banished HIS once favored angel and his followers into the outer darkness where they shrieked disharmonies, attempting to unbalance the true song. The true melody still rang through the universe, ancient and true, clear and strong, carrying the peace of Shalom to every creature that heard and recognized it. The earth’s galaxy was created and the Sun, Moon and Stars sang in harmony. The winds and waters gathered together, reverberating with the ancient melody. The rocks and the plants, the mountains and the plains all sang in jubilant ecstasy, celebrating life. The Garden of God, called Eden sang with harmony and beauty until the One fallen into darkness snuck into the center of this beauty uttering a lie of disharmony, seeking to subvert and destroy God’s newest creation.