Other Music

Battle Hymn of the Republic – SATBB

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flag shaped like USA

In the early 90’s, while residing in Salt Lake City Utah, I was blessed to serve a music mission on Temple Square – from 1990 – 1994 as a Mezzo Soprano and as a music librarian in the Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus.

Robert C. Bowden was our Conductor and he did a splendid job of being a silent mentor as I analyzed and absorbed his directing style, and basked in his love for the beauty of spiritual music as well as his passion for touching hearts with the message of Christ through music that is pleasing to the Lord.

I have moved on from so long ago, the MYSC choir had been integrated into the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Symphony is now known as the Orchestra at Temple Square.  Even in 2016, I still recognize members of both organizations when I watch them perform for special productions.  (I would love to be singing with the Tab, but I am no longer in Utah and I have crossed the half-century threshold and now am approaching the 55 year – mandated – cut off audition age. :/

~ The Lord has kindly sweetened my longing by allowing me the opportunity to not only lead my own branch choir, write to my hearts content, but also to be the director of the Far West  Orchestra for this seasons Savior of the World Production to be venued later this year.)    🙂

One of my favorite songs from MYSC was, I believe, Bowden’s rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.  I have never heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing it and so, based upon my memories, I recreated a slimmed-down version of Bowden’s rendition for my branch choir to sing.   I wish you could have heard the original, I hope you enjoy my recreation .

This particular song has a low bass part that is unique, but I think you’ll like it.
We will be singing it as a choir this Fast Sunday, July 3rd to honor the blessed freedoms that our God has given us in this wonderful country of the United States.

Sorry I didn’t have this up weeks ago – I still have computer issues and am using a friends computer to upload this.

You may find a typo or two – I will search and correct them as I go and upload the more perfected version sometime in the future.

Enjoy this new song – it’s free to download and print for your church choir or non-commercial setting.

Hymn # 60 Battle Hymn of the Republic SATBB:

Battle_Hymn_of_the_Republic Hymn #60 SATBB – modified

Enjoy!  🙂

I did not mean to be neglectful…

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it’s just….earlier this year I was blessed to be called to be the Music Director for our little branch.  It was a pretty easy calling, choosing hymns and leading the congregation and though I felt the need for a challenge, I … Continue reading →

Turn Your Hearts ~ Hymn # 291 ~ Simplified Piano

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Hymn # 291 Turn Your Hearts ~ Adapted for ‘Uber-Simplified Piano’ – Free Sheet Music

Okay ~ found out last Sunday that I was going to need to play the piano in Relief Society. I am also giving the lesson.  I guess I should be grateful that I am not talking in Sacrament meeting too.

The Lesson is on Quentin L. Cooks April Conference Talk Roots and Branches. That means – Family History and Elijah the Prophet.

We chose the opening hymn as # 291 Turn Your Hearts.

The chorister was concerned about whether I could play it.

I told her “It doesn’t matter ~ I probably can’t unless it is uber-simplified.

Hence my simplifying the hymns.

You’ll never see me grace the halls of Julliard,
~ I am grateful I can play as well as I do, now that I am closing in on 50.  :/

Hey – I am grateful I can remember how to read music!  Hee, hee, hee… 😉

So below is my Super-Uber-Simplified Left-hand arrangement of Hymn # 291.

I can play with the right hand well enough, and the left hand well enough, they just haven’t learned to play well together!  I play fine with my feet, they don’t get in the way.

For those who struggle with the right-hand, I apologize.

Usually the melody and the alto lines really need to be played, mostly because it’s the women in the congregation who are singing in parts.  The men, they either sing the melody or fit the notes in somewhere.

Now,  I do not want to diss the men who really can sing, they are usually good enough to pick their part out of the bass chord.

Here is the music – download for free and play happy! 🙂

Hymn # 291 Turn_Your_Hearts_Super_Simplified_Left-Hand_Piano

 

Update on my lesson – at 12:35 Sunday morning, I learned that I had prepared the wrong lesson and had to quickly study a new lesson before going to bed.  The lesson topic was actually about Elder David A. Bednars conference talk titled: Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease.

The lesson went well and I will wait for another opportunity to give my scheduled lesson.