Simply click on the link to download a sample pdf of a piece.  In the future, mp3s will also be added.  If you are interested in using a piece of music, please contact me (lovedintobeing at gmail dot com) for information about a modest usage fee.

Service Music:

Many churches, Catholic and Protestant alike, regularly sing the ordinary of the Mass (the 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 – sung during the Confession of Sin or as a penitential response.  It can be repeated once but I find that it takes a little time for the congregation to deepen into it.  Try using it in a three-part litany of confession, alternating spoken and sung prayer; or consider having a cantor/soloist intone the melody to help familiarize the congregation with the tune.

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.

Holy, Holy, Holy – this upbeat setting is ideal for a joyful celebration of the Eucharist.

Lamb of God – this setting has an expressive melody supported by jazz-inspired harmonies.

Responsorial Psalms:

How Long? How Long? - Psalm 13 is song of lament, full of deep questions and yearning for God’s presence in our lives.  This responsive setting is inspired by the music of the composer, Duke Ellington.  When using this Psalm in worship, I have found that refrain wants to repeat more than once, and it 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 play the chords of the refrain softly under the reading of the verses.

Other Responses:

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.

Choral Music:

All Shall Be Amen and Alleluia - a joyful setting of a prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo for a cappella choir and percussion.  The music combines overlapping, chant-like 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.

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.