As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm happy to report that my new wind ensemble consortium piece for winds and film is nearly complete! The music is essentially done, there is just a bit of editing and orchestration left to do. I'm very excited about the piece and looking forward to getting the music and film out to consortium members in January. The past few days I have been working on a new project - arranging a few Advent hymns! I love Advent! The church choir I am singing in will be singing Vivaldi's Gloria on December 9th, with strings and organ. The Director asked if I would arrange the 3 hymns for the service for strings, organ, oboe, and trumpet (and congregational singing of course). I'm having a great time with this - and I have the opportunity to work with some wonderful hymns (and wonderful musicians!).
I have been working on Jesus Comes with Clouds Descending which is quickly becoming one of my favorite hymns. It is a soaring, powerful melody, and it doesn't hurt that the harmony is written by Ralph Vaughan Williams. I've had the tune stuck in my head for about a week, and I think I could listen to this all day. Among many, many other things, I'm thankful for this powerful and transformational music we have.