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An intensely spiritual poem written by Leonard M Hawkes, the music leapt from the page when I read it. Entitled "First Light", he writes: "Early, two hours before sunrise.." I also love this time of day and find God in all around and in the freshness of the day. We have no secrets...

12/15/22 Words and music by Ben Chapman. This beautiful and sacred hymn praises His infinite sacrifice on our behalf and contemplates the marvelous works that we depend on for salvation and our personal peace. Truly he holds us all in his nail pierced hands.

Composition by Patricia Kelsey Graham, Arranged by Ben Chapman, this is an upbeat and thoughtful choral work of the joy of the wonderous event in Bethlehem. https://youtu.be/_HIb551_Q0A

2/10/23 This beautiful work was sung at my Nephew, Peter Chapman's funeral by the Riverton High School Madrigals. Angels attended this supernal piece written by his father, Ben Chapman with lyrics by Hyrum Lefler. We've also included a choral arrangement beautifully done by a very talented friend of Peters, Cody Bailey. This is a rare type of work that invites the spirit of the Lord into any sacred meeting with melody and lyrics that bring a profound peace and testify of reliance on the Lord.

2/15 - How Great Thou Art is among the great hymns of all time and I hesitate to touch it. But there is music within the music which needed to be shared. I've re-imagined the melody of this great piece and yet, brought it back to it's core in a new way. It's taken almost a year to bring this to the surface: it's been worth the wait.

4/13 - I've always loved this psalm text. When a friend challenged me to write a piece with a violin obligato, I started with two melodies in my head but think I got the right one. Thanks to my sister Suzanne for working with me on the violin part. She is the definition of calm through adversity this song reminds me of.

12/15/12 - I discovered this 16th century Celtic hymn on a Finale users group and felt a strong pull. It needed a lilting flute (or c-instrument)with fluid harmony.

11/5/12 - Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs...here's my contribution! Sorry bout the key of F# at the end, but that's where it sounds best :) Love black keys!

"Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot heal". I love the message of this hymn. In the setting of a Mozart Vesper, this arrangement came to me contemplating a heavy burden bourn by my friends Vic and Jenedy Eggleston.

8/04/12 - "In my Father's house are many mansions" mentioned by Christ in John 14:2, presents interesting imagery for me. I've captured my own thoughts on this through text and music. This is a significant re-write of the original, but remained true to the melody.

10/01/13 - I played this piece for my five year old and within the first 10 measures she said "Is this a Christmas song?". I laughed and understood why it's so obvious. With the assistance of my brother in law,Curtis Benjamin with the lyrics, I believe we've captured the "Time of Christmas".

This Americana classic melody is merged to the powerful words of Isaac Watts. Written for SATB with dueling c-instruments. I recommend flute, but violin sounds great too. Some cut and paste with the one measure page may be needed. Finale still has bugs that need fixing....

This Christmas piece was a lot of fun to me. It moves and breathes with a catchy melody. It's not an easy piece however and would probably be best suited for a chamber choir or strong singing group.

4/12 This piece combines two of my favorite hymns, "Now Let Us Rejoice" with "The Daydawn is Breaking". I've had this idea that they would layer well, and I'm excited with the result. It was a "you got your chocolate in my peanut butter" moment, and it is delicious! Please listen with the sheet music open.

7-21-12, a compilation of Psalms reflecting song of praise through singing. A layered dual melody.

9-8-13, I've had a version of this beautiful hymn kicking around in my head since 1993. It feels good to have it committed to paper. Even after spending endless hours with it, the polyphony at the end is moving to me.

7-01-2011, At Shane Smith's funeral, my friend Gary Kartchner shared some remarkable tender mercies of the Lord made known about Shane's transition to his new calling. The words and melody flowed through this piece (literally dropping into my mind in the middle of the night) as I considered the words of David A Bednar and of God's "Tender Mercies" unto his children. This is dedicated to my friend Shane Smith...till we meet again.

This song provides my insight to the meaning of two years. I'm happy that the sheet music matches up pretty closely to how I play it.

For solo voice and piano. A close friend had this committed to paper for me when we were teenagers. Only now do I understand what a gift this was. It is an amazing amount of work to commit music to paper. Thanks! Another close friend reminded me I had sung this at my "Farewell" (in 1987) and I realized it does have "staying power". Set within the framework of "Come Come Ye Saints", it's still good to me.

6/12, A new look at a traditional spiritual. Additional lyrics and melody compliment the arrangement and keep it interesting. If you've downloaded prior to June 2012, I've changed it with a new minor key section.

For solo voice and piano. This song represents a question we should ask ourselves from time to time. The melody came to me walking through a packed Denver airport observing people and their busy lives.

4/13, Staring at Rainbow Bridge at Lake Powell was a deeply moving experience for me. Considering the thousands of years it took to create that rock and the miniscule fraction of time, in comparison, which is my entire life, that this stoic giant will share this earth with me. The thought left me feeling small. The words and melody of this piece fell into my mind as I contemplated, "what is man that thou art mindful of him?".

A song for a childrens choir. Being in tune with the spirit and listening to "hear him".