Débandade (for String Quartet)
Débandade, for string quartet, was written to commemorate the transfer of the Tom Lea painting, ‘Stampede’ to the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa, Texas.
Southwest Suite
This work extends the story of a cowboy’s journey to rustle his cattle in the midst of a West Texas thunderstorm.
The original work, Débandade, for string quartet, was written to commemorate the transfer of the Tom Lea painting, ‘Stampede’ to the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa, Texas.
The piece was extended to include two more movements, written for triple string quartet and string orchestra, depicting the cowboy’s long walk home and fiddle dance as he shares his story with his friends and family that evening around the campfire.
I. Débandade
II. Périple
III. Danse
Blessed Assurance (for String Quartet)
This is an arrangement, or, as I like to call it, an essay, using the theme of the famous hymn to create this short composition.
(Click here to purchase the string quartet score, string orchestra score, or MP3.)
A Bit O' Jazz
A Bit ‘O Jazz (for Chamber Ensemble)
This was my first attempt at ‘serious’ composition. I wrote it when I was around 13 years old for my Junior High School Orchestra. I wasn’t asked to write it, I just thought that if I had enough initiative to write for the group, the director would elect to perform it, or at least read it.
My naivete brought me some initial disappointment from the director of the ensemble. He had other plans for how he wanted to budget the rehearsal time for the group.
However, since I played in the Midland-Odessa Symphony at the time, the resident String Quartet and a couple other musicians told me they would be glad to read it for me after one of our rehearsals, which is the recording posted here.
This was my first journey into the world of composing and the rewarding feeling that comes from getting a group to play one’s work, along with the thrill of capturing the recording.
Hope you enjoy it!
Gelukkig (for String Orchestra) EW
Here is a version of Gelukkig I made with the East West Symphonic Library. The many textures and articulations necessary for this work to be successfully produced maximized the software’s capability.
Hope you enjoy it.
There Is Life (score) and Track
Here are a couple more thoughts on ‘There Is Life’. The score shown below does not contain the full orchestration, which would probably be too small to read in this format. However, this condensed score shows the basic concept of the piece. Perhaps someday it could be done with a live full group consisting of rhythm section, choir, praise team vocalists, and orchestra. Until then, I’m glad to have this presentation.
Also, since the track itself bears a good bit of work, I wanted to share it without vocals. This was my first attempt at using EastWest Hollywood Orchestra sample library in conjunction with Logic X. Hope you enjoy!
(without vocals):
What Child Is This (for string quartet) Video
I enjoyed writing this arrangement/composition of the well-known Christmas carol. My family, along with Tim Tyler on viola are all involved, including Jonathan Hohstadt who did the video.
I hope you enjoy it.
Crown Him With Many Crowns (for String Quartet)
Here is a new string quartet arrangement of the famous hymn "Crown Him With Many Crowns". I hope you enjoy!
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (for String Quartet)
Here's a fresh arrangement/composition of the well-known hymn. Hope you enjoy!
Silent Night (for String Quartet)
Here's another String Quartet arrangement/composition, based on the well-known melody 'Silent Night'. Hope you enjoy!
Noel (for String Quartet)
As we get closer to the Christmas season, it's always fun to make a new twist with the old familiar carols. Here is a composition/arrangement on the theme 'The First Noel' for string quartet. I hope you enjoy!
O Holy Night (for SATB Choir, Piano and Orchestra)
Here's a unique original composition/arrangement to this beautiful song, incorporating a different version of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', as well. Hope you enjoy it!
(This performance was taken from Odessa Christian Faith Center's Christmas Eve Production in 2013, directed by Stephanie Carter.)
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Here's a string quartet arrangement I wrote using the melody from the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
(purchase entire string hymns album)
The hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, written by Martin Luther, has had wide-spread influence throughout Christendom, having been used by many well-respected musicians throughout history, starting with J.S. Bach in his chorale cantata “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” (BWV 80).
Other well-known composers include Dieterich Buxtehude, Johann Pachelbel, Felix Mendelssohn, Claude Debussy, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and more recently jazz pianist Bob James.
The message of God’s protection is as ancient as the Scriptural texts from which it is inspired. Having faith in His capacity to protect and defend us against all forces that would attempt to bring harm to our lives is foundational to the Christian faith. This protection even defies death itself: “That through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” (Heb. 2:14-15) “But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (I Cor. 15:54-55)
This conviction is not only relevant for eternity, but also for our daily existence, as the following two passages reveal a truth beneficial to our personal relationships.
“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe (set on high)” (Prov. 18:10)
“The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted” (Prov. 29:25)
The words “safe” and “exalted” in the Hebrew are the same word: sagab, which means to be inaccessibly high, having the connotation of security, a place of safety to the one fleeing or to the one at rest in a fortified height which would be inaccessible to beast and enemy alike.
How many people curry the favor of various communities and leaders, only to be let down in one way or another. “Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord.” (Prov. 29:30)
Eventually, man’s ideas, communities, governments, authorities and protection all fail. But there is an absolute foundation of strength and power to those who unite to Him by faith. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we may confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5-6)
Throughout the ages, thousands will attest that He is faithful to all who put their trust in Him. “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” (Rom. 10:11)
Angels We Have Heard On High (Mariachi)
Here's a new take on the well-known Christmas carol, Marichi style...
Hope you enjoy!
The Solid Rock
Here's a string quartet arrangement I wrote using the melody from the hymn "The Solid Rock".
(purchase entire string hymns album)
With so many voices competing for our attention, so many good ideas and seemingly stable aspects to our culture or community upon which we can lean, there is only one truth that will withstand the test of time, and that is the solid foundation of faith in Christ Jesus.
It surprises many when they see something they hold dear, something familiar just vanish from existence. Maybe a familiar building that is destroyed to make room for something new, maybe a cultural style that has ceased to be mainstream, or maybe a close family member or friend who has passed away, all of these things can have an unsettling effect upon our lives. As someone said, “The only thing constant is change.”
Even though everything in this world is perpetually changing, there is something higher than this world, something above the natural realm (i.e. super-natural). These things, however, are spiritually perceived. Though they are invisible to the natural eye, they are more real and more substantial than the things we can physically observe.
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)
“Now faith is the assurance (substance) of things hoped for, the conviction (evidence) of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
Even though everything around us is changing (seemingly impossible to keep up with) it is the spiritual realm that contains something solid as a rock.
When Jesus asked His disciples who people said that He was, Peter answered,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter (lit. Petros, a stone), and upon this rock (lit. Petra, large rock, bed-rock) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” (Matt. 16:17,18)
As Peter acknowledged Jesus as being the Christ, the Messiah, he was seeing the ‘unseen realm’, he was able to perceive beyond the natural. Upon the bed-rock revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the true church is being built. It is an unchangeable foundation. Even though history and cultures change, Jesus remains the priest,
“according to the likeness of Melchizedek (king of peace and righteousness), who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.” (Heb. 7:16)
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb. 6:19,20)
He is the Solid Rock, an unchanging foundation in the midst of an ever-changing world.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Edward Mote
'Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus
Here's a string quartet arrangement I wrote using the melody from the hymn "Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus".
(purchase entire string hymns album)
A simple hymn of trust, “Tis So Sweet” challenges the believer to simply relax and release control of our cares, worries and all of life’s difficulties, placing them all into the hands of our loving Creator.
It seems too good to be true, this message of God’s love, forgiveness and grace. It’s so easily mocked because of its simplicity. Many wonder, “Could there really be a way of escape from all the uncertainties of this life?” Yes! It’s in the simplicity of trust and faith in Christ.
“Now faith is the assurance (substance) of things hoped for, the conviction (evidence) of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
God placed in each person the ability to perceive His goodness and to see that which is spiritual. Some people call it “women’s intuition” or they say, “I just knew in my heart…”
Modern science has proven multiple dimensions in the known universe. Is it really that hard to believe that there are things happening the realm of the unseen? After all, how many radio, television and cell phone waves are all around us, carrying messages, yet are imperceptible to the human eye?
The spiritual realm does exist, and God’s love, care and guidance are ever-present. It’s really not that hard…take a deep breath, lean back in your chair and say, “I trust You, Lord.”
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Louisa M. R. Stead
Just As I Am
Here's a string quartet arrangement I wrote using the melody from the hymn "Just As I Am".
(purchase entire string hymns album)
Many churches today have stopped doing altar calls, hoping not to offend anyone. This is a departure, however, from the past century of American churches whose congregants became familiar with the hymn “Just As I Am” as it was either sung or played during an invitation for salvation.
In 1934 famed evangelist Billy Graham came forward to become a Christian while this song was being played, and subsequently used it in his own widely renowned crusades.
I remember my own decision to step forward publicly, as I got up out of my seat to stand before a congregation. It was both a bold moment and an awkward one. I knew all too well my own insecurities, weaknesses and failures, yet when presented with the idea that I could approach the Creator of all things in a sort of ‘divine forgiveness/relationship’, it evoked desire, wonder and fear all at the same time.
As I remember back, I’m glad I decided to get up out of my chair that day, even with all the uncertainty that that moment evoked. As I continued to grow as a Christian, I remember coming across a passage in the Bible that said, “Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32-33)
Knowing that I was willing, and am still willing, to be identified with Jesus Christ produced a foundation upon which I could continue to build my faith and deepen my spiritual roots.
That one awkward moment grew into a strength that has extended wonderful benefits, not only to my own life, but to those of my family, friends, co-workers in ministry, and many people I may never know.
My hope is that the American Christian will continue to require passage through that narrow gate of awkwardness for the unashamed.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Rom. 1:16)
Just as I am - without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - though toss'd about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am - of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
-O Lamb of God, I come!
Charlotte Elliot