My 2nd Composition

I entered the York Symphony Orchestra songwriting contest again this year and won 2nd place in the high school division.  I wrote my piece for piano and I'm sorry to say they didn't orchestrate the 2nd place winners songs this year.  So, below is my recording of my song, Lullaby of the Rain:

and here is when we receive the awards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em_4r6w-spU&feature=youtu.be

What do you think?

(Just incase you want to look at last years post: http://mysongofjoyblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-composition.html)

Greg Howlett's Music Arranging Course

The end of August, I purchased a music arranging course by Greg Howlett called Arranging: Seven Steps From The Initial Concept To A Polished Performance.  I wanted to encourage fellow musicians to check out the course!  There are many other courses on the website that look interesting as well and I hope you'll take some time to check them out. The website is: www.greghowlett.com

Greg Howlett has many free arrangements and tips on how to play better, accompany, arrange, etc. posted on his blog.  He has recorded many cds, published 12 music courses and offers an online music school.  I enjoy his style of playing ~ not flashy or hugely difficult, but simple and flowing. There are a few pieces that are more difficult, but still sound good.  As I like to play pieces that flow and aren't too difficult, the way he teaches fits well.  If you enjoy playing music with huge chords or big runs up and down the piano, then his courses might give you some food for thought.

The course is very challenging and it's going to take me quite awhile to get through all the steps of arranging.  The first step is to pick a song to arrange.  This wasn't too difficult since I had quite a few in mind.  The second step was to think about how you wanted the end result to sound and how you want the listener to feel after listening.  The third step is deciding on the song form ~ the number and order of verses and choruses. Fourth is developing "the hook", which is a part of the song that repeats throughout.  This is going to take me awhile to work on!

I'm working on arranging two pieces at the moment and when they're done I'll post them!  These are the first two songs I've tried to arrange besides my own compositions.

Before the Leaves Fall

Before the Leaves Fall

By Catherine Myers

The most colorful and beautiful time of all

Is early in the winter before the leaves fall

The sun overhead now shines forth her light

That colors the sky what a beautiful sight

The valleys below are all filled with dew

And as you look around what a magnificent view

As the rays of the sun now shine on the trees

The leaves begin to fall without even a breeze

The old fall down to make room for the new

That come early in the spring time all shiny green when due

Of all the beauty below and the color above

Could only be given by the hand of Gods love

Who loved us enough He was willing to go

Down to this sin cursed world here below

Our sin debt He paid on Calvary's tree

When He shed His own blood there for you and for me

Salvation is ours now if we will only believe

On the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary

This is a poem written by my great grandmother and was published in 'Famous Poets of the Heartland, A Treasury of Beloved Family Poems' last year.  Since fall started on Sunday I thought you all would enjoy reading this poem before the leaves (truly do) fall.  

In memory of 9/11

In memory of 9/11:

God of Our Fathers from Neely Team on Vimeo.
Hope you enjoy!

"Twas the Night Before Jesus Came"

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house, not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care, in hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap was watching the late show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there rose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I know in a moment this was The Day!
The light of His face made me cover my head; it was Jesus! returning just like He said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which he held in His hand was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; when He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to his Father above.
With those who were ready He rose with out a sound while all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees but it was to late; I had waited to long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call, we'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Bethany Farms

This isn't Christmas but I hope this will serve as a remembrance of all that first night meant, and what happened 33 years later.  I hope and pray that all who read this has their name written in the Book of Life even though I may not know you.