Category Archives: Music
Song of the Day: Canticle of the Turning
We often sing “Canticle of the Turning” at our church, but I never knew until Pastor Andrea preached on the Annunciation that it’s based on Mary’s song (also known as the Magnificat). Here is the passage from Luke, Chapter 1 … Continue reading
Skills in Score Preparation
A couple of years ago, I found a short paper I wrote in grad school for the course Skills in Score Preparation. I was a music education major. The scores in question were pieces of music, especially multi-instrument or multi-voice … Continue reading
Video of the Week: Ringing Praise
Our handbell choir opened this service last year with “Advent Celebration.” Enjoy just this song, or watch the entire service. I’m the one leading the processional.
Both Sides–Joni Mitchell, Then and Now
Roberta Joan “Joni” Anderson was born in Alberta, Canada, on November 7, 1943. She is almost exactly 9 years older than me, and her music was a soundtrack of my high school and college years. Her light, incredibly high soprano … Continue reading
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Russian, 1873–1943) lived well into the 20th century, but his compositions are unabashedly Romantic. He started learning the piano at age 4 and graduated from Moscow Conservatory in 1892. Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp minor that he wrote at age … Continue reading
Edvard Grieg, Norwegian Treasure
At an early age, Edvard Grieg (Norwegian, June 15, 1843—September 4, 1907) showed a strong interest in playing the piano. He spent hours sitting at the piano, picking out melodies and making up his own songs. While his father groomed Edvard’s … Continue reading
John Philip Sousa, All-America Composer
When I taught elementary general music, one of the objectives for Grade 1 was to be able to recognize march music. So, of course, we practiced conducting in cut time, and marched to the music of John Philip Sousa. He … Continue reading