Viewing: Sacred Music - View all posts

"13" (SATB, Flute, Piano) Sheet Music Available  

Composed two years ago, in the middle of covid, “13” is now available for purchase through J.W. Pepper

Based on Psalm 13, this text seemed to perfectly capture the feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and hopelessness that we were collectively experiencing. The psalm does end expressing hope, almost defiantly. I sought to weave all of these complicated feelings into a cohesive musical whole.

The piano and flute parts are more demanding than the choral parts, so it is accessible to a wide range of choirs. You…

Read more

Easter Anthem Consortium Opportunity! 

I'm excited to be putting together a commission consortium for a new SATB and piano anthem for Easter. Day of Wonder, Day of Gladness will be a perfect opener/call to worship/processional for Resurrection Sunday. While 4-part, much of the choral writing will be 2-part and even unison, so it will be easier to learn and put together. Choirs of all sizes will be able to perform this new work successfully! 

Only $75 to join. Click here for more info and to join the consortium! Thanks! 

Video - "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" sung by First Baptist Church Gainesville (GA) Choir 

I was thrilled and honored to be sent this link by Rev. Mark Green, Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Gainesville, GA. 

I can't explain the feeling of hearing a piece performed so well by musicians hundreds of miles away, when it started as pencil scribbles in my office...well, it's exciting, humbling, energizing...so many things!

Thank you, Rev. Green and FBC Gainesville!! 

 

New Consortium: INCARNATION for SATB and Concert Band 

I'm pleased to announce a consortium for new music! If you're unfamiliar with a consortium in the context of commissioning new music, it basically is a way of sharing a commission with other ensembles and performers. This benefits the musicians, as they don't have to carry the commission fee alone, and it benefits the composer, because he/she gets more performances! It's really a win-win. 

This consortium is for Incarnation, which will be for SATB choir and concert band. It will be a sacred Christmas work…

Read more

New Arrangement: BE THOU MY VISION for flute and harp 

Last week was my wife's birthday, and the gift I presented to her was an arrangement of one of her favorite hymns, arranged for her to play with our daughter (I did ask our daughter if she'd agree to this first!). 

After they have a chance to perform it, I will make the sheet music available for purchase. It will be on Sheet Music Plus as well as JW Pepper. Please tell your flute and harp friends/colleagues that a new version of this song will be available for them soon! Thanks! 

Coming Soon "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven"  

After a brief covid delay, Chorister's Guild will be releasing my anthem Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven sometime in April 2021! 

For SATB and piano, I gave this familiar hymn text a joyous, rhythmic setting in a 10/8 meter. It is very lively, and would work well as a Call to Worship. 

I'll be sure to make a more formal announcement once the piece is released, so stay tuned! 

Special thanks to Katie Houts at CG, who made this possible and gave me some great edit suggestions, and to Russell Almand who…

Read more

2021 Church Choral Club 

I'm excited to announce this new opportunity for church choirs! 

The 2021 Church Choral Club members will receive six (6) new anthems throughout the 2021 calendar year. Each anthem will be voiced for 2-part choir (Men/Women, SA/TB, Treble/Bass, etc.) and feature piano accompaniment.

Each anthem will be a standard 2-3 minute selection that will be centered around a different theme. Members will receive via email a single PDF of each anthem, and granted permission to print as many copies as needed for…

Read more

In the Bleak Midwinter (Piano) 

I recently completed a piano setting of In the Bleak Midwinter, based on the tune CRANHAM by Gustav Holst. While the melody is clearly heard throughout, the surrounding textures create a sense of mystery. The piece was commissioned by a group of seven pianists, and I have included their names in the printed score, for posterity and out of gratitude. 

Click here to preview the piece! 

"O Great God" for Piano 

My newest piano hymn arrangement is available! O Great God, written by Bob Kauflin, features a very simple and folk-like melody and a chord progression that is satisfying without being too predictable. In this arrangement, I wanted to start with this harmonic simplicity, while gradually adding more pitches to increase the density of each chord, but still maintaining a diatonic language. 

Click here to preview the piece, and here to order it from Sheet Music Plus (exclusive distributor)

Thanks!!! 

Consortium Filled! New Choral Anthem for This Christmas Coming! 

I'm excited to announce that the Gentle Mary Laid Her Child consortium met the goal of 10 members, so the anthem will happen! Yay! 

Many, many thanks to the following commissioners who joined to form the consortium:

Bart Morrison
University Baptist Chruch (Houston, TX)

Brian Stranghoner
Tabor College (Hillsboro, KS)

Chris Winston
Immanuel Lutheran Church (Broken Arrow, OK)

Dennis Emerson
St. Michael Catholic Church (Bedford, TX)

James Cheesman
First Baptist Church of Farmersville (Farmersville, TX)

Laramie

Read more

Update on "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" Release 

I learned today that Chorister's Guild will not be releasing my anthem "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" until this fall. Readjustments had to be made due to COVID-19 impact. While I'm disappointed it will not be available as originally planned, I am grateful that it will be out later this year. I will be sure to post another update once it is available again. 

Thanks, and stay healthy, everyone!!!

"How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds" Available! 

I'm excited to announce the release of How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds for SATB and piano, published by Lorenz Music. This is my 3rd published anthem from Lorenz, and I am overwhelmed by their continued support and belief in my work. So, thank you, Lorenz!!!

Here's a lovely demo recording of the anthem.

For more info and to buy the sheet music, visit the Lorenz website here. It's also available from J.W. Pepper. 

Please feel free to share! Thanks! 

New Choral Anthem: "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" 

I'm very happy to announce the release of "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" from Chorister's Guild! For SATB and piano, I composed this anthem for a consortium of 10 churches a couple years back, and I was quite pleased with how it turned out, and was thrilled when CG accepted it for publication. They give the following description:

This exciting anthem for Christ the King Sunday is a stunner from start to finish! Composer Christopher Teichler sets this familiar hymn text to a lilting new tune, which

Read more

Two New Choral Anthems in the Next Couple of Months! 

I'm excited to have two new releases coming soon for church choir! Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven will be published by Chorister's Guild, and How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds from Lorenz Music. Both are for SATB and piano, and doable by average church choirs. Coming in March and/or April of 2020!

I'll announce when one or both are available, but please tell your choir director friends! Thanks! 

Hot off the Press! "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" for Solo Piano 

I've completed a solo piano setting of "How Deep the Father's Love For Us," by Stuart Townend. I wanted to create a stark, contemplative setting of Townend's hymn, appropriate for Lent, Lord's Supper/Communion, prayer and meditation. 

Available exclusively from Sheet Music Plus, click here for more info, a demo recording (me on piano!), sample pages and how to order. Feel free to share! Thanks! 

Latest Podcast - Interview with Dr. David Toledo 

On the newest episode of The Meatball Composer, I interview my friend and fellow music professor Dr. David Toledo. David teaches at California Baptist University and is the Director of Worship Studies. (Read more about him here.) 

David and I became good friends while in Fort Worth, and I'm so glad we were able to do this episode and that we will stay in touch for years to come! I hope you enjoy our discussion on church music education. Watch it here! 

Two New Releases from Lorenz Music 

I am thrilled to announce the release of two of my works from Lorenz Music. 

Take Up Your Cross is a new choral anthem for SATB and piano. This text grabbed me immediately, and musical ideas came to me quickly and easily. 

Take this Bread, Take this Cup is a collection of hymn arrangements and two original tunes that were written to fit communion/eucharist portions of a church service. This has been in the works for several years, and I'm very happy that it is finally available! 

Many thanks to Lorenz for…

Read more

Now Available: "My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness" for Solo Piano 

I'm happy to announce that I've completed a solo piano arrangement of the contemporary hymn "My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness," written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. This setting is at an intermediate level, and I wrote it specifically with church worship services in mind. Whether as an offertory, for Lord's Supper/Eucharist, I wanted to create a tasteful setting that would keep the spirit and beauty of the song. 

Available exclusively through Sheet Music Plus, click here to be taken there.