It's been a while since I last blogged. Between taking care of Ally, starting a new job, going on vacation for a week, my two-year anniversary with Maggie (June 14th, btw), and starting a summer program at work, it's been a busy couple of months.
While I've been busy the last couple of weeks, I've still found the time to do some composing. I thought I'd share some of the things I've been working on with you. While I've mostly been working on these for the better part of two or three years, I've been able to sit down and add some finishing touches and am ready to try to move them on to the next step.
Of course, since I don't have an live recordings, I can only post the midi files. Please note that because of the funkiness of my composition program, I don't have any percussion audio. There is a part, but if it were played in the midi, it would sound like really bad whistles, bangs and other weird noices. My percussion parts might not be great, but they're not that bad!
Army of Servants
This was originally written two years ago for the Fairfax Corps Band. It was originally just for a six- or seven-piece band, but I've been spending time expanding it to Triumph series scoring. It's a collection of several different hymn tunes and worship choruses. The tunes featured are Joy in the Salvation Army, Onward Christian Soldiers, Make Me a Servant, On We March in the Blood and the Fire and concludes with God's Soldier. Don't worry, it's only a four minute piece!
The Potter's Hand
Based on Darlene Zschech's worship chorus, I wrote this arrangement in February 2007 for the joint Good Friday Service for the Arlington, VA and Fairfax Corps. It actually turned out pretty good and was well received by both those in the band and the congregation. It's scored for the American Band Journal. I plan on sending it to THQ in New York to see if it can be published.
Call to Praise
This is the big project I've been working on over the last three or four years. It's gone through countless drafts, many different forms in all sorts of different styles, until I finally have ended up with how it is presented here. It is arranged for General series, in other words, a full brass band. I took this with me to the composer's conference several years ago and had it looked at by both James Curnow and Stephen Bulla, who both provided me with valuable input. The tune featured is To God Be the Glory, which is the Fairfax Gospel Arts Clubs' motto, and if you listen carefully enough, you might catch parts of a popular Disney tune in there
I hope you enjoy these tunes, in their midi form, at least, and any input you have!
5 comments:
Sounds great Jon! Good luck with the music editors in West Nyack. I will be at Star Lake this year, maybe it will premiere.
I like "Call to Praise." It's an exciting piece.
Thanks for sharing. It is good to hear the fruits of your talents.
Since I've seen the score of "Call to Praise," I'll keep mum about the Disney tune and see if anyone else identifies it.
Don guessed the surprise tune right away - If I wish upon star... Are we right?
Evie, I, too, really enjoyed the "call to Praise".
Jonathan, oth Uncle Don and I loved listening to your work. Thanks for sharing them with us. We are so proud of you. Keep us in the know about what happens to any of your pieces.
Post a Comment