Simply click on the title of each piece to download a sample pdf. If you are interested in purchasing a piece of music, click on the “Buy Now” link to find the piece in my online store. Please contact me at lovedintobeing (at) gmail (dot) com if you have any questions.

Service Music:

Many churches regularly sing the ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei).  The following set of service responses are an attempt to fuse these enduring songs of the Church with the color and soul of Blues, Gospel, Jazz and Afro-Caribbean music.  Almost all of them use inclusive language for God or can be easily adapted so they are inclusive.  Each movement stands alone but they also work very well as a set.  They are accompanied by piano; parts for bass and drums can easily be added.

Lord Have Mercy – a bluesy tune sung during the Confession of Sin or as a penitential response. The piece is particularly effective in a three-part litany of confession, alternating spoken and sung prayer. Buy Now

Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me – best used as a response to the Assurance of Pardon.  It can also be used as a more general song of praise or even a Doxology. Buy Now

Holy, Holy, Holy – an upbeat setting ideal for a joyful celebration of the Eucharist. Buy Now

Lamb of God – an expressive setting supported by Jazz-inspired harmonies. Buy Now

Ostinato Kyrie - a flexible setting that can be adapted to a congregation’s musical resources. The modal tune can be sung alone or combined with Ostinato I. Additional ostinatos can be sung by the choir, congregation and/or played by handbells.

We Cannot Live by Bread Alone *NEW* – an alternative Gospel Acclamation for the Lenten season or a song that can be sung to prepare for the hearing of Scripture. An easy call and response piece that can be learned quickly.

Responsive Psalms:

How Long? How Long? - a responsive setting of Psalm 13 inspired by the music of Duke Ellington. When using this piece in worship, I have found that refrain wants to repeat several times and also grows in volume and intensity. The verses are most effective when spoken slowly, with a pregnant silence after each of the questions; the accompanist is also free to improvise softly under them.

Mercy and Compassion Are Love’s Way - a Jazz-inspired responsive setting of Psalm 85 for congregation, piano and bass.

The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us *NEW* – this Gospel-style setting for congregation, soloist and piano attempts to express the hope and joy at the heart of Psalm 126. The verses require a skilled soloist comfortable with improvisation. Buy Now

This Is The Day - a challenging but joyous setting of verses from Psalm 118 for voice, drone (accordion or shruti box) and drum. The refrain can be sung by a congregation or choir; verses can be read or sung as written by a soloist.

Other Responses / Songs:

With Joy and Thanksgiving – In the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Book of Common Worship offers a response at the conclusion of the Baptism service and when welcoming new members to the congregation. I found that these words often lacked energy and joy when spoken in unison, so I wrote an upbeat refrain in Afro-Caribbean style.  I also adapted a few verses from I Corinthians for a soloist or choir to sing in alternation.  The piece can be used with or without the verses.  The refrain has been set for SATB choir; percussion instruments (such as congas) can also be added.

My Heart I Offer – The text is drawn from John Calvin’s motto, Cor meum tibi offero, Domine, prompte et sincere (My heart I offer to you, O Lord, promptly and sincerely).  It flows like a Taizé chant, which is repeated until it has become a prayer of the heart.  It would work well within a contemplative service or might be used as a Response to the Assurance of Pardon or a Doxology.

Christ Has No Body Now But Yours - *NEW* St. Teresa of Avila’s well-known prayer is set as a flowing, contemplative song. It is well-suited to themes of service, stewardship, incarnation/embodiment or can be used during Communion. It works equally well with the written piano part or accompanied by a sustained drone.

Hymns:

Lord, When We Find It Hard to Pray - a chant-like hymn for penitential seasons or in times of spiritual barrenness and challenge. Though it may prove challenging to a congregation, it can be sung effectively by a choir, either in unison or in the three-part setting. I have used it as a Call to Prayer with a choir singing the tune and the congregation singing a drone on E.

Nearer, My God, to Thee *NEW* – this lyrical, expressive tune is a new setting of Sarah Flower Adams’ well-known text, which is based on Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:11–19. The piece works very well with a solo instrument to intone the melody and support the congregation’s singing.

The Word of God Is Source and Seed *new* - appropriate for the Lenten season or for worship focused on discipleship, renewal, and/or incarnation, this contemplative setting of Delores Dufner’s text is in a Jazz ballad style. Bass and drums can easily be added.

Choral Music:

All of Us Go Down to the Dust - a short choral piece for a funeral or memorial service. A profound and hopeful text from the Orthodox tradition is set simply, with aleatoric “Alleluias” accompanying a chant-like melody.

All Shall Be Amen and Alleluia - a joyful setting of a prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo for SATB choir and percussion. The music combines overlapping phrases with a strong rhythmic pulse and should be approachable by many church choirs. It can be used at several times during the liturgical year, especially for Advent, Easter and/or Ordinary Time.

Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! - an arrangement of HYMN TO JOY for unison voices and piano. Virtuosic piano writing and rhythmic variety give voice to Brian Wren’s exuberant Easter text. The piece is suitable for treble or mixed choirs; the congregation may join in singing the final verse.

God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian *NEW* – this setting of Carl Daw’s evocative text has a mysterious, contemplative character. It can be used for the ordination and installation of clergy and church leaders. A suggested choral arrangement is included in the score; it can easily be adapted to suit different combinations of singers and/or instruments.

Hodie Christus natus est *NEW* – a joyous Christmas carol for unison treble or mixed choir with piano, double bass and Orff instruments or handbells. The piece juxtaposes a Latin refrain and newly-written verses with poetic images of Christ that are geared toward children and youth.

I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry - a playful arrangement of John Ylvisaker’s well-known hymn for SATB choir and piano. Each verse of the text is interpreted through subtle harmonic shifts, tempo changes and a colorful accompaniment part.

Let All the World in Every Corner Sing – a straightforward setting for unison treble or mixed choir and piano brings new color and energy to this classic George Herbert text.

Micah 6:8 - a setting of the familiar text for SAB or SATB choir, soloist and piano. The piece has a strong rhythmic gait, giving voice to the prophet’s call to “walk humbly” with God.

Vocal Music:

All Shall Be Well - an expansive setting of Julian of Norwich’s well-known prayer for tenor and piano.

Be Still My Soul *NEW* - an arrangement for upper voice and piano.

The Confirmation – an expressive setting of a love poem by Edwin Muir for mezzo-soprano and French horn.

God Heals The Brokenhearted - a contemplative setting of verses from Psalm 147 for voice and piano.

No Other Way - a lyrical setting for soprano and piano, focusing on God’s providence and care and the hope of eternal life.

Psalm 23 - the familiar Psalm text set in an expressive, flowing style for soprano and piano.

The God Who Only Knows Four Words *forthcoming* – a setting of a Hafiz poem for mezzo-soprano and piano, from a translation by Daniel Ladinsky.

You Are The Peace of All Things Calm – *forthcoming* - a setting of an ancient Celtic prayer for mezzo-soprano and piano.