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“Are You Really There, Lord?” draws its inspiration from a recent journey my wife and I took
to Spain. During our stay in Granada, we were eager to visit the cathedral. One evening after
dinner, the cathedral doors were open, and we decided to step inside. As I crossed the
threshold, a quiet question crossed my mind: “God, are you here?” I cannot say why I
thought it—it was merely a passing reflection.
Soon after, a woman approached us. At first, I assumed she would ask us to leave, given
the late hour. Instead, she greeted us warmly and oLered to show us her church. Her
happiness in sharing the place that clearly meant so much to her was unmistakable.
Despite the language barrier, her genuine kindness became an answer to my silent
question. Through her, I felt assured that God was, indeed, present.
About

Are You Really There, Lord?

Mezzo-Soprano Solo

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The words and music for "The Sound Was a Savior" are original. The idea is
simple: life was moving along at its normal, every-night pace when suddenly
sounds that were out of the ordinary were heard: a choir of angels, a baby
crying! This precious sound was that of a baby, who would be "the Savior of the
world."
It is scored for children's choir and adult choir. However, feel free to make it
work for your situation by using a small ensemble if a children's choir is
unavailable.
"The was a Savior, the Savior of the world
It was the sound of love piercing the dark of sin
Promising that light had come that night."

The Sound Was a Savior

SATB/Unison Octavo

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A fresh, flowing arrangement of a beloved old hymn. While maintaining the integrity of the original melody, this arrangement enhances its peaceful, flowing nature with motion and a little syncopation.  Moderately advanced, this is a beautiful addition to any church pianist's (or anyone else's) library.

Sweet By and By

Piano Solo

A light and lively two part piece for Palm Sunday (or any day).  It is partly unison and partly in canon to make it attainable to the earliest choral singers.  It relates the Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem with choruses of "Sing Hosanna, Sing Hosanna, Praise Him in the highest!"

Rejoice and Shout

Two-Part Mixed Octavo

While I was teaching general music, a student asked me how long I had been playing piano.  I stopped a minute and started counting (kind of like flipping those birthday wheels when you are registering a new product or signing up for something) and realized I had played for a really long time.  Truly, it had been a long time since, because of my sister's musical interest and vast talent, I decided to begin piano lessons with Mrs. Ruth Johnston, in my hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi.

Fast forward 52 years and here I am, finally able to improvise something AND get it on paper for someone else to play!  The five piano solos in this book are not necessarily simple, but they reflect my playing and composition style.  I found it extremely rewarding to arrange these beautiful old hymns and enjoyed every minute of the process.  

It is with great joy that I present this little book of Advanced Hymn Solos for Piano to anyone who wishes to play them.  I might even share them, someday, with the Kindergarten student who told me (after I had played something for his class), that I was "getting better" at playing the piano.  Perhaps he was correct.  Hopefully, we all are still "getting better" and are never declining in our love and passion for whatever music we choose to make.

Advanced Hymn Solos for Piano

A fresh, Renaissance inspired arrangement of the old Christmas song, "Sing We Now of Christmas" with a new twist.  It is arranged for SATB, Guitar, Flute, and tambourine.

Sing We Now of Christmas

SATB Full Score

A new arrangement for SATB choir of a beloved patriotic song.  Beginning quietly with an a cappella setting, it builds to a powerfully majestic ending.

America the Beautiful

SATB Octavo

A meaningful duet based on Psalm 8:4 for baritone and alto with piano accompaniment.  The text explores the timeless question:  "Who am I that you are mindful of me?"

Who Am I?

Alto, Baritone Duet

A fresh, beautiful arrangement based on the beautiful, old carol: "O Little Town of Bethlehem."  For medium advanced players, this arrangement maintains the integrity of the original melody with a lovely, flowing, contemporary flair.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

A new composition inspired by the graves of the "Greatest Generation" in and around Normandy.  Especially inspiring were the graves who simply were described, not with the soldiers' names, but the inscription "known unto God."  Dedicated to the composer's great-uncle who lost his life after coming ashore in Normandy and is buried at the Brittany-American Cemetery in St. James, France.

Names Etched in Stone

A fresh SATB arrangement of an old hymn classic with attainable harmonies and piano accompaniment.

I Need Thee Every Hour

A delightful song for beginning choirs suitable for use on Palm Sunday.  It can be sung as a very simple two-part or simple three-part arrangement.  Both arrangements are provided in this octavo with the third vocal line being completely optional.

Two/Three-Part Octavo

"Who Was Watching?" is a very special composition about the activities in Budapest during the winter of 1944-1945. During this
horrendous time of world history, the oppression reached the banks of the Danube. The Jewish people were brought to the bank of the
Danube, told to remove their shoes, and were shot. Their bodies were lost to the river leaving only their shoes behind.
Their shoes were perhaps the last place where anything of value could be hidden. It is these shoes which inspired the "Shoes on the
Danube Bank" memorial and this song. I had visited the memorial once in 2019 and was quite moved by
what I experienced. The shoes are bronzed and placed along the bank of the Danube as if someone (men, women, and children) had
just stepped out of them. I visited again with my wife in 2022 and was further moved. This time I looked across the river only to see church steeples. I realized that for
the Jewish people who were destined for this horrible death, it must have been even more painful to look and see life "outside" going on
as usual (or as usual as could be during this time). The question that burned my consciousness was regarding who was watching this
heinous act occur. Were there people across the river, perhaps at the churches, who watched?  Were there people gathered aroundwatching?
Could those watching have done anything if they tried?
"Watching but not seeing,
allows cruelty to reign
who IS watching?"

Who Was Watching?

The words and music for "There Has to Be a Heaven" were written by Russell Roden.  This composition explores the idea that there is a place that is far better than the experience on this Earth.  While it is not a sacred piece, it imagines a place where there is no violence, hatred, or greed.  While it touches on the controversial topic of guns and gun violence, it is not a judgment on the political debate, but a statement that so much violence occurs because of guns in the wrong hands.  It calls for a time of peace and unity for the sake of future generations.

It is scored for SATB choir with some divisi.  It also offers an opportunity for a solo, if desired, or the entire piece can be sung chorally.

"There has to be a Heaven
Far different from today
There has to be a Heaven
Is it really so far away?"

There Has to Be a Heaven

Available with optional strings, this piece is a simple sentiment about the baby in the manger.  The refrain echos the angels as they exclaimed "Glory to God in the Highest," announcing the birth of Jesus.

In a Manger

Maggie is an old American folk song about love lost (perhaps never truly found).  It recounts the remembrance of an old man of his love, "Maggie."  While the original verses (1,2) describe love that will never be or never be again, the arranger-supplied third verse declares the lovers as "forever young."

When You and I Were Young, Maggie

"Illuminate" is a Christmas piece composed in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Chorale Acadienne in Lafayette, Louisiana.  "Illuminate" celebrates the sources of light around Christmas that "illuminate" the real source of light and the reason for the Christmas celebration, that being the "tiny babe, holy child."  It is scored for children's chorus, SATB choir and piano with optional orchestration (woodwinds and strings).

Illuminate

This composition is based on Zephaniah 3:17 which tells us that God sings!  A most inspiring passage; the idea for this piece came after hearing it read at the memorial service of one of the members of my choir.  It is for SATB choir with piano accompaniment.  With dynamics that range from quiet and calm to loud and exciting, it consists of both accompanied sections and a cappella sections.  It enthusiastically affirms God's protection, gladness and his rejoicing over us as his children.

He Will Rejoice Over You With Singing

Child of the Manger explores the paradox of the idea that a child can be king, poor can be wealthy, and peace can dwell amongst tumult. It has a hopeful and reassuring message, the refrain of which calls on the "Child of the Manger" to draw us close and unveil the mystery of this powerful paradox. This composition may be performed with piano or is scored for woodwinds, strings, and glockenspiel.  Orchestration is available by contacting the composer at www.rodenstudiocreations.com.

Child of the Manger

A fresh and somewhat embellished arrangement of this old hymn with a little of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" sprinkled in for good measure.  The harmonies and verses of the original hymn have been maintained with additional lyrics added by the composer.  A joyous hymn arrangement with an appropriate piano accompaniment.

Sing My Soul His Wondrous Love

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