I'm Back!

And I have a new arrangement for all you Ward Choir directors out there.

When I played through the hymn "My Shepherd Will Supply My Needs" and read the story accompanying it in the September Ensign, I knew I wanted to write an arrangement for a Ward Choir. This is a touching, testimony in song that goes straight to the heart.

I have written it with small choirs in mind in SAB format with simple accompaniment. It could be prepared in only a couple of practices.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Surgery Woes

I had knee replacement surgery two weeks ago. I thought I would bounce right back and be able to spend a lot of time on my music and research. It has not turned out that way. I am unable to sit in front of a computer for long periods of time. I appreciate your patience as some of my projects will have to wait a few weeks.

Hugs to all!

New Neighbor

We are all moved in to our new house. The fun thing is that we are only a few houses away from Lindy Kerby! How great is that? She is a very talented composer who shares her music free on her web site. Her site is at http://www.kerbymusic.org/

Be sure to check it out!

And...make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

We are Moving

We are moving to a new house next week. That means I will be leaving my special little Ward Choir behind. I will miss them so much! I plan to still work on SAB arrangements for Ward Choirs all over the world. But I may not be the Choir Director in our new Ward, so I may not be able to try out the new numbers on my patient choir before I post them for all of you! Perhaps you will all have to try them out and let me know what you think.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

What is your choir singing this Summer?

Our choir is  singing American the Beautiful next week. What is your choir singing this Summer?
Make  a joyful noise unto the Lord!

A Common Challange

From a Dedicated Ward Choir Director:

Can I ask you guys for some ward choir advice? My church is from 1:30-4:30 this year and my choir has shrunk dramatically. I've tried different times and locations and those changes don't seem to make an attendance difference. With our turn out of 3-5/singers a week it's really hard to learn any songs outside of Hymplicity type stuff. We have lots of singers in ward.....what are different things you guys have tried to get more people out. I get lots of people come to the short practices right before we sing that day....then lots up to sing. I have a couple really nice songs picked out for the rest of the summer that aren't TOO too hard....but people need to show. Help!?

Liberty in what?

Did I really leave off the word "law" in America the Beautiful? Apparently so. Thanks to an alert musician, it is now fixed. Geez.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

America the Beautiful

Our little Ward Choir needed something patriotic for July this year. It is always a special challenge to write something that sounds "big" without making it too difficult for the accompanist or too challenging for the choir members. I hope I have done that with this one.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Where Love Is SAB

This one is from the Children's Song Book and has a beautiful melody and inspiring message. I kept the accompaniment pretty much the same as it was, but added voices for a small choir. It is super easy to learn and sing.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

What? Wierd!

OK. That is just. wrong.

I was printing out some of my easy piano solos and discovered that some of the titles were distorted and stretched off the page!
What! How did this happen? Why? And, even more important - HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN THIS WAY?

Whew. OK. Just breath and keep calm. It can be fixed. It CAN be fixed. Yikes!

Oh, and, um, Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. =0)

Something Patriotic

My life: Our small Ward Choir wants to sing something patriotic in July. But where can I find a good arrangement that is not too difficult for 7 to 10 singers that also sounds full?

I've played through many nice arrangements of American the Beautiful, but they split into too many parts and have the sopranos screeching notes that an opera singer would find difficult. Right. A section with four men's parts and we only have three men in the choir! That's going to work.

So once again I am at the piano writing something that, hopefully a small choir can sing with gusto!

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Web Site Update

My web master, Konrad Baron, who is a genius, by the way, is making some updates and improvements on my site. My current email address will be included so you will all be able to contact me more directly with questions and comments.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

From a Ward Choir Director in Idaho

Linda,
Thank you for sharing your gift! I am the director of our ward choir in Nampa, Idaho. Last year, we sang three of your arrangements. In April, we sang "I Wonder When He Comes Again" with a lovely group of Young Women singing the solo part. In May, we sang "Lead Kindly Light", starring the alto section. In October, we sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives."


Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Sweet Hour of Prayer Rewritten

When I recently rewrote Sweet Hour of Prayer, I inadvertently skipped four measures of the obbligato in the final draft. An alert Ward Choir director emailed me and pointed out the problem. Thank you!! THAT must have been fun to try to sing with the obbligato playing the wrong part with the choir!
In any case, it is now corrected.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

New Song Suggestion

I played my new song, "A Part of You" for our Primary President. She suggested that it could be used for other times when family or friends are moving away or going on a mission, etc.

Great idea!

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

A Goodby Song for Primary

Our Primary President came to me a few weeks ago and asked me to write a "Goodby" song for Primary for leaders and teachers who are moving away. At the time, I told her that I thought the hymn "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" would meet the need without writing a new song.

Then I substituted in Primary and realized that wouldn't work well in Primary, mostly due to the length of the hymn.

So...Yes, I have written a new "Goodby" song for Primary. It is called "A Part of You." I will be posting it shortly.

Make a Joyful noise unto the Lord!