Compositions

Here are three compositions of mine. Click on them to hear them.

• Fellowship in Christ (1:06)
• Passacaglia and Variations in G minor (3:07)
• Children at Play (1:26)

These pieces were composed using Cakewalk Home Studio 5.0 and a Yamaha PSR-85 keyboard.

Also, I made a version of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, playing the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts which I got from a hymnbook.

• Hallelujah Chorus (4:01)

My friend Ben Guido has composed more than I have. Here are his pieces:

• Fugue for Strings (1:38)
• Invention #1 in B (1:15)
• Invention #2 in D (1:00)
• Invention for Violin and Cello (1:13)
• Memorial (1:03)
• Rondo for Strings (3:40)
• Sonata #1 in A flat (3:40)

Bible verse songs

My brother Ken, several young people from church, and I have made a CD of Bible verses set to original tunes. They all center on the gospel of Jesus Christ—what mankind's problem was and why Jesus came to save us. You can learn more about it and hear a few of those songs at www.PeaceAndPurpose.com.

Some notes on my music

Fellowship in Christ I worked on for a couple of months, finishing it in December of 2000. Unfortunately, the limitations of computer sound cards really depreciates the majesty of the piece as heard played through a keyboard. I would classify it with only a few other pieces that I have heard—big, sweeping, powerful works which create in me excitement, awe, and adoration of God. It reminded me of the joy of having fellowship with other believers, and the strong sense of unity created by our common bond in the redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. I have also written words for it which actually have nothing to do with fellowship, but rather with the Christ's resurrection!

I started the Passacaglia and Variations in June of 2000 and finished in January 2001.

A passacaglia is a baroque piece with a repetetive bass line. The repeating bass part is usually four measures long, one note per measure, and the sequence of notes is often descending. (Many passacaglias are in 6/8 timing also, like mine.) In this piece, the passacaglia section is from measure 1 to 64 (time 0:00 to 1:57). Variations on the main melodic theme are in the next section, measures 65 to 81 (1:58 to 2:38). In measures 33 to 60 (1:10 to 1:49), the timing is cut in half to 3/8 but the passacaglia pattern is the same.

The first or main theme continues from measure 1 to measure 33 (0:00 to 1:10). At this point the a second theme comes in: an echo of sixths or thirds. The first theme resumes then at measure 60 (1:50), where it continues to the end. There are many other themes and nuances which are all brought together at the end, but I'll let you find them!

Children at Play was inspired by a weekend that my family and half of our church (which is small) spent at a camp in New Hampshire in August 2000.

What makes music enjoyable?

I enjoy music. I have been playing the piano for ten years, and the guitar for four years. Whenever I do something with music—composing or playing—I feel as though I am really fulfilling what I am as a human, because man alone among creatures has the ability to compose and appreciate music. The Bible says that "God created man in His own image," (Genesis 1:26) which means that He made man different from the animals, bestowing certain attributes of Himself on mankind. Among these is the creation and appreciation of music. Therefore, since God has privileged every man with these gifts, I compose music for God's glory as a witness to His supremacy as Creator, and His love in allowing us to enjoy music.

Please let me know what you think of the music!