This page is devoted to the storeis behind each of my compositions/arrangements, since every song has a story to tell! :)

"Abide With Me" (Winter 2000)
This is the first posted of a long list of advanced piano solos, my forte. It was written for a friend and uses a lot of ninth chords, which I particularly like. If I could ever write a nice transition, this and "Abide With Me Tis Eventide" (full of sevenths, and coming soon) would make a great medley.

"All Creatures Of Our God And King" (Fall 2004)
My wife has wanted me to do piano solo arrangements of "All Creatures" and "Now Let Us Rejoice" since we got married, and in 2004 I finally got around to it! Both use a more simplistic techinic, and fast tempos, which Amber enjoys. This number works its way down the keyboard from top to bottom, then has a slow section alternating between 6/4 and 4/4 (nice!), then back up and a tempo. Amber loves it.

"All That I Have" (Summer 2002)
I had the splendid opportunity of being primary chorister in a ward for a few months. I loved those kids! One time a teacher asked, "We know that boys have the priesthood, what do girls have?" One little girl confidently responded, "FAITH!" I wrote "All That I Have" for the kids right before we moved out of the ward.

"Army Of Helaman" (Spring 1999)
While other missionaries spent P-days sight-seeing in Paris, I spent most of mine at the piano in the church, trying to write something nice with the oh so much spare time I had. :) My "mission solos" all tend to have the same roller-coaster feel, conveying the ups and downs of mission life. "Army" fits that theme to a T.

"As From The Dust" (Winter 2007)
This song is a Joe Olivas adaptation of the scripture in the Book of Mormon, which I've tried to beautifully set to music. It is a stirring power ballad that will be a hit off of our "Believe" album to be released in February 2008. This is Amber's favorite tune on the whole album!

"Baptism" (Fall 2007)
Every once in awhile I actually DO write for a specific audience! :) I can see in my mind so many beginning LDS piano students getting ready for their baptisms at the age of eight and wanting to play something special, even with their teachers or family members...voila! This is a nice, simple arrangement perfect for baptismal services, a little gift from me to you!

"Be Still My Soul" (Spring 2008)
I turned to Amber one afternoon and asked, "What's a super-popular hymn I haven't done an arrangement of yet?" Her response was, "well, how about 'Be Still My Soul'?" Voila, quoi! I like how the moving sixths worked out, nothing fancy, but still nice.

"Beautiful Savior" (Summer 1999)
I served my mission in Paris, France (OUAIS!), and this male chorus a cappella arrangement was written for the final zone conference of my beloved first mission president, Dennis K. Brown. I admit it has a few bugs, but I love the spirit of thanks with which it was arranged. I sang the high tenor part, by the way...

"Benediction (God Be With You)" (Spring 2005)
Music and composition are a release for me, my favorite ways to de-stress. After a long, hard week full of work, school and kids, it's nice to unwind and just write for awhile. "Benediction" is a release. I love the tight chords, they make me happy! This number can be used in all sorts of settings, including funerals and missionary (insert the dreaded f-word we're not supposed to say anymore.), etc. I can hear MoTab singing this in my mind, and I hope it becomes a popular number on the site. And of course this makes a nice piano solo, which is now available...I even play it on the organ every Sunday as the last postlude in my ward.

"The Call" (winter 2007)
And now for something completely different! :) I've never written anything quite like "The Call" before, it's a rousing missionary clarion coming from the Lord. It will sound wonderful sung by my good friend TJ Dick on the upcoming album "Believe," with words and music by Joe Olivas and Aaron Waite.

"Child Of Mine (God's Lullaby)" (Fall 2007)
It is an honor to put to music some poetry of my friend (and 2nd counselor in my bishopric) Joe Olivas of St. George, UT. He is a man of God, one of the finest brothers I have ever met. Although I have a good inch on him (which is saying something!), I look up to him in every way. In my mind I imagine the context of this song being the premortal existence. My loving Father takes me in His arms one last time before sending me on my way to the world of corruption, so He sings His final lullaby, telling me He'll always be there. Then off I go, into the loving arms of a mother who sings yet another lullaby. I love the intimacy of the words. Thank you Joe! :)

"Come Come Ye Saints" (Spring 2007)
The planets just aligned for this one...I attended an evening priesthood meeting and finally appreciated this hymn (after a decade of cursing its "All is well" chorus because of the passage in 2 Nephi) for its strength. About the same time I received an email from an LDS cello teacher in Washington state, encouraging me to write more for strings. Voila! The instrumentation is really up to you, but three violins and two cellos sounds the best in my head. As of this writing in Feb. 2007 I don't know why I've been favoring a more "old school" approach with my last few works (piano trio, classical-type piano solo, string quintet); must be a phase...:)

"Come Join the Ranks" (Spring 2002)
I was made aware of a choral composition competition at Jackman Music Co., the leading publisher of LDS sheet music in the world. The competition's theme was missionary work/raising the bar, and was required to be in SAB format. "Come Join" was my submission. Well, it obviously didn't win because Jackman didn't publish it, but Jerry Jackman, president of JMC, did give me some professionally positive feedback. I would say this work "conforms" a little more than normal, if you catch what I mean. But the awesome piano accompaniment keeps it exciting. The hymn version was developed shortly after the SAB arrangement but not 'laid down' until 2004.

"Come Unto Him" (Winter 2005)
I have always loved the words to hymn #114, but have never liked the music (my apologies to Hugh Dougall), so I thought I'd give the text a new setting and new voicing. This is a real try at something my wife can call "beautiful," too! She's currently obsessed with the MoTab "Consider the Lilies" album, and goes on and on how beautiful it is...this one's for you honey; hope you like it!

"Come Ye Children Of The Lord" (Spring 2008)
My sister-in-law Michelle is a wicked trumpet player. While visiting over Christmas, she requested something on my website for her to play...and I LOVE requests! :) I had been working on this arrangement for some time, and easily put in the obligatto, which is pulled from "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." That tune's message really works with this tune's message, as well.

"Dearest Children God Is Near You" (Spring 2006)
One night while rocking my infant son to sleep, I was struck with how lullaby-ish this hymn is, so I sang it to him, put him to bed, and worked out the harmonies for this arrangement for female choir. It's inspired in part by the "Lift Thine Eyes" trio from Mendellsohn's Elijah oratorio, one of my favorite major works. And Dayson will fall asleep to it until he doesn't want to anymore! :)

"Faith Of Our Fathers" (Summer 2007)
This super-simple rearrangement for men's choir is a fitter for the back of the current hymnbook, and I've always liked how the text is fit for missionaries and priesthood. I hope it's good enough to stand by the nice arrangements of "I Need Thee Every Hour" and "Brightly Beams" in the late 330s...and how could you not like a song whose acronymn is FOOF?! :)

"Fanfare (Rejoice The Lord Is King)" (Summer 2006)
I received an email from a sister in Atlanta asking me if I had any organ arrangements. I graciously apologized that I had never tried my hand at an organ work...then thought to myself, "Self...WHY NOT?!" :) So Linda, this one's for you! I am pleased with the way it sounds on my digital piano, and don't think it needs any register changes; just loud and full, the whole way through, like good ol' cheek-shakin' Clay Christiansen would play it on the Conference Center organ!

"Gloria (The Angelic Anthem)" (Winter 2007)
Every great composer (ahem!) has to write a Gloria in his/her lifetime, and here's mine! It is set for SSAATTBB choir with piano and narrator (reading the heavenly visitation story in Luke 2), and is a whopper. Lots and lots of Eric Whitacre-style chords! In it I try to really REALLY portray what the choirs of heaven must have sounded like that blessed night. Feel free to omit needed notes to satisfy your ward choir (gosh, we don't even have 8 total members!). I hope that the feeling of glory and wonder is felt in this music, it's a labor of love.

"The Goodbye Song" (Fall 2006)
As of this writing, Amber is serving as ward primary chorister. She has had a few occasions where a primary child is leaving the ward for another across the country, or going on to Young Women, etc. The primary president wanted to sing a goodbye song, but none are to be found in the big book! So, naturally, Am asked me to write one! :)

"He Is Savior" (Summer 2001)
The atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection are usually a bit too much to cover in one song, but "Savior" does a good job, I think! It was written with the intention of glimpsing each event from a more personal perspective. Notice how the point-of-view changes from Christ to Mary Magdalene, with the chorus changing from the Savior to MY Savior. The original choral version has been adapted to a popular SA duet (can be unison female chorus, but doesn't have the same effect) and an unpublished female trio, sung by Amber, Amber, and Amber :) on the audio track.

"He Is There" (Summer 2003, Fall 2004)
Fun story, a lot like "Like the Wind" below: While living in Arkansas, Amber was asked to sing at a wedding. We looked through our music, and she didn't find one she liked. In frustration, she said, "Oh, you just write me one in five minutes." So I did! :) The tune was called "What Is Love?" and was for voice and guitar (I had a shiny black Ovation at the time). "What Is Love?" is not a very good name for an LDS song, eh? So I re-wrote the lyrics to what they are for current distribution. I had a particularly fun time nailing down the fingerpicking tab for the piece. For any experienced guitar players, I actually use a capo up three frets and play and sing in the key of B major...

"He Knows, He Hears, He Cares" (Summer 2007)
Oh, the stress a big calling in the Church brings! Amber was serving as primary president at the time of this song, and just needed a pick-me-up to know that our Creator is on her and our side. I love the lines "He knows how long you've been there kneeling" and "He hears, but waits to give you rest," they're truly comforting words.

"Heavenly Father Loves Me" (Spring 2005)
Since before I can remember, this has been my mother's favorite primary song. It's such a beautiful, simple little song about God's creations, including the wonder of the human body, and how these miracles prove we have a Creator who loves us. I love my mom, and this was her Mother's Day present. Spring 2007 update! Based on some feedback, this piece has just been changed to an easier key to play, plus made into a cello solo as well. Hopefully it will become more popular due to the changes! UPDATE AGAIN! I've made a piano solo arrangement, making this the first fully "DeFord-ified" piece on the website.:)

"Help Me Teach With Inspiration" (Summer 2005)
There are four high priests in my great ward that would be a dynamite barbershop-like quartet...if they ever got together! One morning I was thinking about this and realized I needed to write them something and get the ball rolling! I love it when songs practically write themselves, like this one. Hopefully my friends will sing it!

"How Great Thou Art/The First Noel" (Winter 2000)
This was my first crack at a string arrangement, and it does have a few bugs in it, but overall I think it worked out quite well. It was written around Christmas time for the visit of a General Authority to my singles ward. I love the cello above all other instruments because of its heavenly tone, and I will learn to play it before I die! Tell my wife that this is a good arrangement!

"How Great Thou Art" (Spring 2005)
She dislikes the cello arrangement so much that I felt I needed to make it better! So here's a different version, for baritone solo. Hopefully she'll like this one better! I LOVE YOU AMBER!!

"How He Came" (Winter 2002)
I promise there's much more Christmas music coming! We lived in rural Arkansas for a while pursuing a business venture, and attended a small branch, where I served as Young Men president. Around Christmas time, the Young Women president challenged me to write a new Christmas song, and "How He Came" was the answer to that challenge. It's a nice piece showing "the condescension of God." We've performed it at many venues, always getting positive feedback.

"I Await My Savior's Coming" (Winter 2004?)
Amber is that righteous kind of person that is filled with excitement rather than dread over the subject of the Second Coming. In truth, for those prepared it will be a glorious day. She's always wanted me to pen a hymn about this. I wrote the lyrics quite quickly after many failed attempts, and found a wonderful melody in a Methodist hymnal. I changed the harmonies to fit my liking, and really enjoy the final product. An interesting side note is that the tune name of the melody (written over a century ago) is "Restoration." Fitting! :)

"I Beheld Round the Throne" (Spring 2004)
Joseph Smith himself coined the verses after receiving Doctrine & Covenants 76. I first heard the poetry during April 2004 conference and thought it deserved an appropriate setting. After getting the Ensign I worked on the music over three days, primarily the "different" second and fourth phrases. Hey, I've collaborated with the Prophet! An arrangement with organ accompaniment is coming soon.

"I Believe In Christ" (2003?)
To be honest, I can't remember when this arrangement popped into my head! That must mean I'm getting old...anyway, it's about our Savior, which most of my songs are about, but that's for a reason! I am so thankful for a Redeemer, a Messiah that went through the atonement just for me. Without Him I am nothing, and with Him I am everything. Because of Him I get the chance to live forever with my beautiful wife and children. Boy, I need to repent more...

"I Feel My Savior's Love" (Summer 2006)
I have always wanted to do an arrangement of this cherished primary song, an arrangement that I could be supremely happy with. And, as often happens with me, in trying to make it beautiful I got in over my head! The original piano accompaniment fought way too much with the choir, so in the end I rewrote most of it to be, well, an accompaniment! The third verse's choir voicing seemed too much as well, but I just couldn't bring myself to let it go, so I just deleted the piano! :) I hope website visitors will love this arrangement; there's a lot of heart and soul in it, mixed with refinement and longing for simplicity.

"I Love To See The Temple" (Spring 2007)
"I love to see the temple, I went inside today. I felt the Holy Spirit, I listened and I prayed." The St. George temple (the oldest functioning temple of our dispensation) has always been a symbol of peace in my life. It's where I received my endowment and where my wife and I were sealed (in the same sealing room as my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents). But when my 30ish-year-old brother-in-law received his endowment in January 2007, we attended the ceremonay at the San Diego temple. I have NEVER seen such a beautiful building, outside or in! It is a real-life ice castle. It is worth a drive across the country to be in that San Diego celestial room, and I will never forget how close to God I felt there. Fittingly, Janice Kapp Perry's primary song got an ornamentation good enough (hopefully) to make me think of my new favorite temple...

"I Need Thee Every Hour" (Winter 1998)
I first started dabbling in hymn arranging during my mission, as I often spent a few blessed minutes each week on the piano during prep day. This was one that just came out like that and has stuck with me. Nothing really to it, just a nice low number. If you can't tell, all of my earliest stuff was really influenced by Jim Brickman and Yanni, two keyboardists I listened to a lot before my mission. Lots of syncopation. It's really interesting to look back and see how the "Waite style" has changed...

"I Often Go Walking" (Winter 2006)
One night I lay awake in bed thinking of how much I love my wife (awwwww...), wanting to write her a quick "I love you," and this arrangement popped into my head, just like that! I love it when that happens, and I LOVE YOU AMBER! :)

"I Stand All Amazed" (Spring 2007)
Prior to its release on DVD, I had only seen the Church-produced film "The Testaments" once in my life, a long time ago. We received the DVD as a gift and watched it on a Sunday afternoon. By the last scene, our kids were wondering why mommy and daddy were crying! I kneel all amazed at the feet of a merciful Savior that died for me. It seemed only fitting to arrange this classic hymn in honor of my love for Jesus.

"I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" (Fall 2001)
I don't play a string instrument, but hope this try at a violin solo brings out the skills of the performer. The running line in the second verse (an octave higher than originally written, based on feedback from more than one semi-pro player) really gets going, but you can handle it! :) The nice accompaniment coupled with the great string sound makes for probably my favorite hymn arrangement written. So far, the violinists agree. You can make this a nice piano duet by playing the violin part an octave or two higher than written; I'll get that version out some time...UPDATE! The piano duet version I've been longing to put down is finally done! It's a 2H+1H arrangement, perfect for my wife and I to play together...

"I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus" (Winter 2007)
My three darling kids sing this song so well, and I thought I'd add to the piano solo selections on the site with one of their absolute favorites! I LOVE YOU ARIA, TRINITY, & DAYSON! :) Hopefully one of them will like this arrangement enough to learn to play it...ya think four is too early to start piano lessons?!

"If You Could Hie To Kolob" (2002 sometime)
The concept behind this arrangement went through lots of drafts in my mind before the finished product became what it is. I've always loved David Naylor's (what a nice man!) arrangement for mixed choir available from Jackman (it was performed at my mission farewell, even), and some of my piano solo arrangement is influenced by that piece...Naylor's number is very beautiful, check it out! :) UPDATE: As of November 2005, this is the website's most consistently popular piece, and it's deserving! Check out the feedback page for numerous comments.

"Inside" (Fall 2007)
Working with lyricist Joe Olivas is such a joy! It's so easy to write music with great words already there...however, sometimes I have a tendency to cut and edit a bit too much, and I often feel guilty for "slashing" his great works to fit the tunes. So, with "Inside," or "Would I," as Joe would call it :), I tried to stay as true to the original poetry as I could. The result is a quicker, catchier, probably-not-perfect-for-sacrament-but-perfect-for-the-radio-or-an-album ditty that is probably my fave so far.

"Jesus Lover Of My Soul" (Summer 2007)
It's amazing how inspiring an empty chapel with a lone organ playing can be...this has always been one of my favorite hymns (I actually sang a solo of it on my mission in a crowded marketplace!), and I'm happy with this quick arrangement, written in about 30 minutes. I've always liked the simplicity of Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" and Vince Gill's "Go Rest High," and you can definitely hear their influences in this piece.

"Joseph Prophet Of The Lord" (Spring 2005)
I love the times when Amber is asked to sing a solo in sacrament meeting, and after finding out the topic she turns to me and says, "write me something." "Joseph" is a song from one such time. I really wanted to go simple, not too bombastic, focus on the grove and what it meant. Sort of a modern "Oh How Lovely." Amber actually likes it more than I do!

"Lead Kindly Light" (Spring 2006)
There are two phenomenal violin players in my ward, and I'm always wanting to write nice stuff for them to critique. This arrangement is a try at really bringing out some passion in the playing, especially in the "free" sections that aren't part of the original hymn. The piano part is a constant flickering of a small candle, while the violins are the praying voices, pleading for refuge from the storm. Truth be told, I really really like how this turned out, and hope my friends love it too! Spring 2007 Update! I've just posted a nice cello duet version, too!

"Lead Me To The Manger" (Winter 2006)
This is a contemporary Christian-type Christmas song that expresses a heart-felt plea: "I long to see the baby/I'll brave most anything/To make it to the manger/Give my gift to my King." I really enjoy the lyrics that fit nicely with the music (actually written first). Amber does a great job on the audio track of taking us through the emotions of getting to Christ and giving Him (as the late Neal A. Maxwell said) the only thing that's truly ours to give: our will.

"Let Glory To Him In The Highest Be Given" (Summer 2006)
Moving from Cedar City to St. George was hard, but only by the grace of God did it happen! I'm grateful to a Father that is involved in the details of my life. Our first Sunday after moving I penned the text (12-11-12-11 meter, I'm so proud!) and set it quickly. Hymns are not my favorite genre to write, nor are they very popular on the site, but I do like this one, especially the message.

"Let Zion In Her Beauty Rise" (Spring 2006)
Amber was called to be our ward choir director in January 2006, and has done an amazing job! Of course, living with the choir accompanist has helped! :) J/K Honey! After doing David Naylor's "Kolob" arrangement (see above) and a DeFord piece, she decided she needed something peppy...and I can write peppy! She gave me free reign in the hymnbook, as long as it was a "rejoicing" number, and "Let Zion" was my gift to her. She really likes it, and our choir will perform it in the next couple of months. The second verse can be a cappella for a nice MoTab feel, and watch that surprising F in the final verse, sopranos! :)

"Letter From Emma (To This End I'll Live)" (Fall 2007)
Emma Smith is a controversial figure in Church history, but an amazing woman in anyone's book. Lyricist Joe Olivas wrote this piece of poetry to try and clue us in on Emma's thought process while Joseph was in Liberty Jail (hence the date introduction). The song is a mournful yet comforting passage to Joseph, letting him know he really isn't alone. I can't imagine how hard it was for him during those months, but it must have been even worse for her. We owe Emma so much more credit, and Joe and I hope we do her emotions justice.

"Like the Wind" (Winter 2001, Winter 2004)
After receiving an answer to a long-suffering prayer, I wrote an a cappella choir number called "Finally." I really liked it but assumed it would never go anywhere. It sat in my composition binder for three years. Then, when I was preparing to launch the website, I ran across "Finally," read the lyrics, and decided they needed to be a little more "blunt," spiritually speaking. I needed a phrase with three syllables to replace "finally," the main word used, and "like the wind" popped into my head. The new lyrics, a simile for the spirit of the Lord, came to me in the middle of the night. I'm very happy with this 'new' version, and hope it is more performable.

"Little Baby Jesus" (Winter 2007)
I am honored to put this little, inspired text by my dear wife Amber to music for our 2007 Christmas song. In it, she captures the beauty and essence of the two great comings of our Lord, past and future. I love you Amber for your excitement for the next coming, and your constant challenging to make us prepared! On a side note, this is the first piece that I have ever written that contains choral intervals greather than an octave. And let me tell you, putting that down on the computer required the use of my tongue! :( Hope y'all like the free primary song version...

"The Lord Can Work Wonders" (Spring 2005)
I always have spaces of time where nothing comes for weeks, then in one night a whole song comes out. "Wonders" is another example of that truism. It's in 6/8, which has been occupying my thoughts for awhile, and is a reaffirmation that if the Lord can do "it" for so many others, He can do "it" for me too! That's what I really needed to know at the time it was written.

"Lord Grant Me Breath" (Winter 2007)
My 2007 hymn came oh so suddenly one cold Sunday morning. It just fits with the verse portion of "Bless Our Fast, We Pray," so forgive me for not writing an original tune! I pray that God will grant me breath to constantly serve Him and sing His praises.

"The Lord Is My Shepherd" (Spring-Fall 2005)
Let my take you all through a very complex creative process; after all, stories like this one are the reason for this page! I play the piano for the local Methodist congregation, and one morning in February the pastor's sermon centered on Psalm 23, which was printed in their bulletin. It hit me: "What a gorgeous text, it deserves my own music setting." So I went home and pulled out my scriptures and tried to get to work...but I just couldn't get past the music of my two favorite settings (this is Psalm 23, don't-ya-know!). I started thinking about an adaptation, and then it hit me: "Sheep May Safely Graze" by J.S. Bach, the personification of celestial music. I've always enjoyed the number for its extremely pastoral, shepherd-like feel. What piece could possibly work better for a setting of Psalm 23?! I imported the sheet music from England (which cost like 13 dollars), pulled out my scriptures and tried to get to work...but I just couldn't get the text to fit the music without compromising the beauty of one or the other. The project seemed doomed to my "Works in Progress" folder. And then it FINALLY hit me: open the hymnbook, duh! And there it was, hymn #108, "The Lord Is My Shepherd." With two months of creative juices ready and raring to get used, the arrangement wrote itself (as they so usually do). From the offset, the main goal was to stay true to both pieces, at the same time sounding like each other but not being distinguishible. In other words, to sound like they were meant to be together, destined to be linked by some composer. I'm proud to be that composer, and am SO happy with this work!

"Love At Home" (summer 2006)
I have a confession to make: I don't think I'm a good dad! :( Amber and I try and try to be good parents, but sometimes raising three kids born in three years is a physical and emotional struggle. Over the past month or two we have tried to have better tempers, softer voices, and gentler actions towards our greatest treasures. We have started to see ever-so-slight improvements in us and our kids. "Love at Home" is that tried-and-true LDS anthem for the home, and as a gift to my family (including myself) I wanted to write a calming, peaceful arrangement that we can all listen to to bring harmony into our home. So, naturally, I chose the cello, since it's my most favorite instrument! I hope that this arrangement (used more as a recording than a live piece) will help the love grow in many homes...but especially in mine.

"Love Is Spoken Here" (Summer 2004)
It seems like moments in my life where I really need the comforting hand of the Lord are the moments that I write my best stuff, and I REALLY needed the Lord that summer! :( Looking back, that season produced this piece, "Now Let Us Rejoice," "All Creatures Of Our God And King," and my best work, "Witness." I'm glad that God is in the details of our lives...This piece is fun to play because of the triple meter (4/4 originally), makes for a pleasant change!

"Love One Another" (Winter 2004)
This is the first number written after the website was conceived! It's officially for you the internet surfer! It's written for chorus, although it's mostly two-part unison. The counter melody's text is 1 John 4:9-11, the second scripture listed in the hymn book under the original hymn. Makes a good counterpoint, doesn't it? I love the simplicity of the work, it was my main driving force during the four-day writing process. Spring 2007 UPDATE! A brother in Columbia just translated this very work into Spanish for a stake conference performance there, so this website is now bilingual! :)

"The Morning Breaks" (Spring 2008)
I've always loved the first hymn in our current hymnbook, and finally got an idea one day on the way home from church. I tend to have about four different styles I write in, and this piano solo fits in the "Now Let Us Rejoice," "Army of Helaman," "We Thank Thee O God," etc. model, with not many chords and a nice running feel.

"My Savior's Love" (Spring 2007)
Ever since hearing Larry Beebe's arrangement of "Our Savior's Love" I've felt like I couldn't write an arrangement, for fear of stepping on his! But this soulful, humble vocal solo just came out and I couldn't get away from it. Emotions are running close to the surface nowadays when I think about my Redeemer. I love Jesus! I love God! That's why I changed the lyrics to "MY Savior" and "MY Father." Man, if I could get Alex Boye to sing this, he would be perfect...:)

"Near" (Fall 2001)
A good friend of mine, Adam Crosby from Kanab, Utah has a gorgeous super-low bass voice, as well as a real knack for lyrics. "Near" is our collaboration. It's written for alto/low bass duet (the bass gets down to a low E-flat!), and is a prayer and response. The two lines are thrown together in beauty at the end. We've received a lot of compliments from those we have performed this for, they say it's wonderful. You can thank Adam for that! If you need a version a little higher (in C), email me.

"Nearer My God To Thee" (Winter 2001)
This is the one arrangement I wish I could hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform! It's written with them in mind, and follows a pretty well-known MoTab formula: men a cappella, then a nice progression with soloists...and off we go! The fast-moving accompaniment in the second section gives the feeling of ascending to heaven in glory, nearer to God. The final unison chorus is meant to be really really big, and closes with a so MoTab ending…boy I wanna hear them sing it!

"Now Let Us Rejoice" (Summer 2004)
My wife has wanted me to do piano solo arrangements of "Now Let Us Rejoice" and "All Creatures" since we got married, and in 2004 I finally got around to it. Both use a more simplistic technic and fast tempos, which Amber enjoys. We tried the BYU thing (unsuccessfully) the summer of 2004 and moved to Springville, UT. We unloaded the piano out of the moving van, and this arrangment was the first thing I played. It came out, off the top of my head, just like that. I love it when that happens, it makes me feel like Chopin! Spring 2007 update! A fiddlin' version is now available, thought it sounded nice in my head, wotcher!

"Oh Come All Ye Faithful" (Winter 2005)
I LOVE REQUESTS! It brings such joy to me when someone asks me to write an arrangement for them. This time it was our ward chorister, Steve (a big fan of the site), that came to me and said "We're putting together our Christmas program for sacrament meeting, and we're missing a nice arrangement of 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful,' think you could write up a congregational number with your big fat piano trademarks?" Yup! Voila, quoi, as the French would say!

"Oh Lord" (Summer 2001)
Every time I ask myself which of my songs is my favorite, I keep coming back to this one, time and time again… The text comes from the Psalm of Nephi (2 Nephi 4). The original version (a cappella choir) also includes a script from the scriptures, accessed here. "Oh Lord" is an attempt to let us hear what the choirs of heaven would sound like. I love this song because it makes me think of the temple. The aria version (coming soon) was written for Amber for our CD.

"Oh Say What Is Truth" (Fall 2005)
It always seems like I have to write one new piano solo each year, and I was worried that 2005 was going to be the first blank piano slate since I started serious composition in 1998. Well, the streak's still alive! This arrangement was another one of those moments where the piece practically wrote itself. You can start the right hand slow and work up to speed (dotted- quarter at about 116), watching the crossovers very carefully. I actually play a crossunder! :) The only group of people I've played this for said they thought it sounded like Christ descending in millenial glory. I like that image.

"On My Baptism Day" (Fall 2001)
When my niece Riaunna was preparing for baptism, Amber and I wanted to give her a unique gift...voila quoi, as the French would say! Amber sang the song at Ri's baptism, and I was honored to perform the ordinance. I love writing primary songs, they always end up being in triple meter for me! :)

"On The Morrow He Comes" (Winter 2004)
The text for this ethereal (I love that word lately!) Christmas song comes from 3 Nephi, when the Lord lets Nephi know that "This night shall the sign be given." We've always needed a Nephite Christmas carol, so here it is! :) It was written for a performance at the St. George Utah Festival of Trees, and we will perform it again at this year's Cedar City America Childrens' Christmas Festival. I really enjoy this piece, it gets stuck in my head quite often.

"A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" (Winter 2004)
My family is a bunch of band geeks, and we're proud of it! My father and brother play the french horn, my mother and first sister the clarinet, and I the percussion. So I was a little shocked when my youngest sister broke the mold and took up the violin! She's turned out to be quite the 'linist,' but then again, what else could you expect from a person that has perfect pitch?! This violin duet was arranged for her and a friend for the 2005 celebration of Joseph Smith's birthday.

"Praise To The Man" (Summer 2006)
I'm currently reading Rough Stone Rolling, the new Joseph Smith biography (a Christmas present from my brother). What a man our dear Prophet was! From those humble roots rose the man that has done more for the salvation of man than any other except Christ. I remember the exact moment I gained a testimony of the First Vision, and I testify that it really happened. Praise him! A quick performance note: it's hopefully obvious that the repetitive C-D in the right hand is thematic, so really bring that out every time it's played.

"Sabbath Day" (Spring 2001, Spring 2006)
A funny thing happened on the way through my uncompleted compositions...my "favorite hymn" selection changes every month or two, and "Sabbath Day" was my preferred around the time Amber and I were married. At the time, I sat down quickly and wrote the beginning of what I wanted to be a great TTBB arrangement of the hymn. Of course, it was never finished and sat in a binder for almost five years. Pulling it out one recent Sunday, I realized it was just fine with the harmonies written so long ago...so it was finished after all! This is a very simple arrangement, good for quartets that are just starting out.

"Silent Night" (Winter 1999-2005)
Yes, you unfortunately read that right...it's taken six years to finally come up with a full arrangement I could be proud of! The backbone was written on my mission for Christmas zone conference, and it's gone through many different versions through the years, but a strong start and finish were lacking. Those strong elements were discovered in 2005, making it ready for the notation software. Now it's on to the same process with "Away in a Manger"...

"Simon" (Winter 2001)
This song gives a voice to Simon of Cyrene, the man that carried the cross to Golgotha for Christ. The published version contains a tiny lyrical change from the original, which took a little bit too much artistic liberty (I cry out to the soldiers/Place this cross on my shoulders). My good friend Josh Tenney, a member of Lex DeAzevedo's Millenium Choir, sings the audio track with the "false doctrine" lyrics.

"Softly And Tenderly" (Summer 2007)
This has been a favorite of mine since hearing it at the Methodist church a few years back, and it deserved a lullaby-ish arrangement by yours truly! :) It's for my wife who just got called as primary president! Good luck Amber!

"Sometime We'll Understand" (Spring 2007)
How do we make sense of tragedy? Why do the best die young? Why doesn't the Lord stop a Trolley Square or Virginia Tech massacre or prevent a Salt Lake City bishop from losing almost his entire family in a car crash? As Ebeneezer Scrooge says in a defining moment, "How can we bear it?" With these questions heavy on my mind, I found solace in the 1948 hymnbook edition's hymn #267, "Not Now, But in the Coming Years." With all respect to James McGranahan, I felt Maxwell Cornelius' moving text needed a better, more emotional setting. And here it is. Amber loves this song and is excited to sing it on the audio track. I feel this song would be very appropriate for grieving, funerals, etc.

"Son of God Please Forgive" (Spring 2002)
I tend to write long songs for lower voices. "Son of God" was an attempt to break out of both of those habits. Alas! I still like its simplicity and pure pleading for the Lord's mercy, for we truly are lost without the Lord. Without Him, we're nothing, and with Him, we're everything!

"Then He'll Calm My Aching Heart" (Spring 2001)
Some songs just seem to be more important than others, you know? I was in a singing group at the LDS Institute of Religion in St. George, Utah. I played the piano for "Inspiration," and incidentally ended up marrying one of the sopranos! I loved that group more than life itself, and wanted to write a song everyone in the group could identify with, love, and embrace. I wanted to write the perfect song for them to perform. I slaved over pages and pages of paltry lyrics, each word falling short of the feeling I wanted. Nothing inspired came. Then, one night I fell to my knees in desperate frustration. I pleaded with the Lord for words that not only I and my friends would be pleased with, but words that He would be pleased with as well. I gave it all up to God. Halfway through my prayer, the phrase "Then He'll Calm My Aching Heart" came into my head. The rest, as they say, is history… Within 15 minutes, I had created a lyrical poem revolving around judgment day and the realities of the atonement. Although at times I have not lived worthy of it, I declare that the spirit of the Lord inspired every word. Tears fell freely down my cheeks as I played the first chord progression, which seemed to write itself. It was so easy relying on the spirit…This was my gift for Inspiration, borne of divine inspiration. The song is set for choir, with soloists coming out of the choir to sing at various times. It's personal for this group, as every member had at least a two-bar solo. My friends embraced the song totally, internalizing it as I had hoped, crying with me during multiple performances where the spirit was so strong. Some friends still talk about the influence "Then He'll Calm" has had on their lives. It's those tears that make it all worth it for me, because I know a heart has been touched the way my heart is touched by powerful messages.

"They The Builders Of The Nation" (Summer 2005)
I LOVE REQUESTS! It brings such joy to me when someone asks me to write an arrangement for them. This time it was my illustrious ward choir director Dr. Jim Harrison of Cedar City's famed Master Singers. Being his pianist, we were looking at some 24th of July music, and he just wanted a "fancy" arrangement with a glorified piano part and the voices how he said. Well, I can do a glorified piano part, I can! Plus I added the congregation in the third verse after the key change, because it just feels right. I assume it's a little late for Pioneer Day for everyone but our mega-talented 17th ward choir, but there's always next year...

"Through Your Hands" (Winter 2000)
I was invited once to participate in a musical number at one of the only hearing-impaired branches in the Church. I played the piano while a group sang and another group signed the lyrics of the song. I was so impressed with the members of the branch, these saints that worshipped with so much more than words. It was an inspiring experience. I returned home from the meeting and wrote "Through Your Hands," top to bottom, lyrics and all, in about 30 minutes. It's turned out to be the song of mine that most people have called their favorite. My dream is to one day see "Through" performed with 'singers and signers.' That would be cool. Please note that this sheet music version is very open to interpretation; it will have to suffice until a longer, more written-out version becomes necessary.

"Thy Holy Word" (Summer 2006)
As is often the case, I stumbled upon this great hymn tucked away in the hymnbook and immediately heard those darn voices in my head! I can just hear my wife singing this...we'll get to that audio file soon! :)

"Tis Sweet To Sing The Matchless Love" (Summer 2007)
The sacrament is such a sacred part of our worship. We rededicate ourselves to our baptismal covenants and remember the atonement, the whole reason we can return to God. Because of its sacred nature, I've always stayed as much away from sacrament hymn arrangements as possible, but couldn't resist mixing the two great tunes for this reverent text. In putting the two together for the third verse, I only slightly changed a few notes, hopefully keeping the spirit of each individual melody to make a great polyphony. The piano chords are very purposefully uncomplicated, simple, sacred. I never want to get in the way of the spirit.

"Today I Go to the Temple" (Fall 2001)
This primary song was written for my brother Nate when he received his endowment shortly before his mission to Brazil. I wrote the simple song with simple doctrine to express the simplicity of temple worship. After all, the temple is simply about ordinances and covenants.

"We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet" (Spring 1999)
Oh, I am so HAPPY to finally get this one down on paper! :) I wrote it during my "genesis" mission days, where all of my piano solos have that syncopated, Jim Brickman-ish feel to them. This one is special, though, because of how the meaning has changed for me over the years. When it was written it was dedicated to Gordon B. Hinckley, whose biography we had just watched at a district meeting. As it stuck in my head and was performed back in the states, "fans" associated it with Joseph Smith and requested it as a tribute to him. But it now is reverenced for my favorite prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, whose Teachings is the second-most read book in our house (after the scriptures). He and all the prophets before and after are truly oracles of God, and I'm so pleased to have this arrangement to pay homage to them all.

"We Three Kings" (Winter 2006)
If you've read this far down on this page, congrats! :) This piece came in the middle of the night, and turned into a monster before I realized it. It is of course not appropriate for sacrament meeting worship, but is a perfect number for ward Christmas parties, etc. In it I have found a piece for my brother and sister to play with me. Combined we have 50 years of piano-playing experience between us! I have enjoyed finally getting to sit down and play an ensemble with my siblings, and hope they have enjoyed it. Thanks Nate and Z for making a dream of mine a reality. And Merry Christmas!

"Why" (Fall 2007)
In the spirit of "Near," lyricist Joe Olivas and I bring to life a question to and response from Christ to answer that all-inclusive question WHY? I am so happy to work with Joe, his words are so easy to put to beautiful music. This duet is more simple and direct than "Near," plus shorter and more singable. We hope it is a popular song on the website.

"Why I Pray" (Fall 2007)
Lucky for me my parents are big fans! Their ward choir has performed some of my music, and the director, David, just so happens to have a knack for lyrics! So he sent me some and I promised to have some music for him "in about a month" (fans of the site can guess where this is going)...24 hours later I had "Why I Pray" ready for him to distribute to the choir! I'm proud of the sequencing in the bass line, it's actually very mechanical. Many thanks to the lyricist; I find it so easy to write when others have fought half the battle already!

"Witness" (Summer 2004)
This song is loosely based on Elder Bruce R. McConkie's final conference address before his death. After a particularly long and trying spiritual time in my life, I personalized his testimony, making it my own. "Witness" is a result. Of all the songs I've written to date, this is the first one so far that's really "mine." It's my testimony in my voice range. This song marks a level of maturity in my music, I think, that I tend not to reach. Boy, if I could get Kenneth Cope to sing this!

"Wondrous Story" (Winter 2007)
A continuation of the "Child of Mine" story, this is the first lullaby sung once we arrive on earth. And it is the greatest story ever told. Many thanks to Joe Olivas for the moving lyrics and the trust he gave to me in all of his poems to cut and paste where necessary! :) I hope you enjoy the recording from the album "Believe," sung by Amber and two of her best friends, Julie Kohler and Kari Dick. We used three separate voices on purpose to make the song more universal.