-
Let All the Nations Praise the Lord {New Music Monday}
Our spring program at school is coming up in a little less than a month. The students have been learning and practicing their songs since late in January. They did such an excellent job for the Christmas program that we’ve been working on some fun extra things as well. The theme of the program is “Let All the Nations Praise the Lord.” Here’s a summary of what my students will be performing for the spring program this year. Dona Nobis Pachem We’re beginning the program with “Dona Nobis Pachem,” a lovely canon, or round, meaning “grant us peace.” This song fits the theme of the program because it’s written in…
-
The Mystery of Godliness: A Song for My Church Family {New Music Monday}
The church doesn’t have a great reputation these days. Some churches are divided on current events, some are facing the moral failures of their leaders, and some have left the doctrines of Christianity far behind and replaced them with worldly wisdom. It can be challenging to find a church that still holds to basic biblical beliefs, such as the inerrancy of Scripture, the power of the gospel to save sinners and transform the world, and the sovereignty and immutability of God. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in…
-
A Typical Day in Music Class & A Christmas Song (A Long Overdue New Music Monday, Plus Video)
In addition to being my first full year teaching science, this is also my first full year teaching music. I teach music at every level, from the first grade students all the way up to the high school juniors. I enjoy teaching both music and science, but I feel the most passionate about teaching music. Music is beautiful. Music is fun. And music tells us stories. Our Music Class Routine In music class, we follow the same basic routine each class period. First, we listen to a piece of music and then we discuss what we heard. I like to ask the students three questions about each piece: 1. What…
-
Stand Firm: A Collection of Verses from 2 Thessalonians {New Music Monday}
I wrote the following song as our Pastor preached through 2 Thessalonians. I like the good reminder to “stand firm.” As Christians, we stand on the rock that is Jesus Christ. Streams of living water flow from our Savior, and he welcomes us to come and drink from them freely. Stand firm, dear friends, by placing your hope in Jesus. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Stand Firm Now may our Lord, Jesus Christ himself,And God our Father, who loved and gave usEternal comfort and good hope through graceComfort your hearts,And establish them in every good work and word.…
-
Let Me Lead You Home {New Music Monday}
I’m excited to bring back New Music Mondays. I wrote the following song to submit for an exhibition at St. Andrew’s College in Scotland. (Here’s a link to the call they put out for artists.) They did not choose to use my song, but I am still looking forward to viewing the other artists’ work. The exhibition begins on Friday, March 19. It was both challenging and fun to prepare a song for submission–I’ve never done that before, and I would definitely do it again. The theme of the exhibition is “In/break,” and one idea listed is “an intrusion of hope.” I used this idea in my song, and also…