My Top Picks for Easter Sheet Music 2014

Happy Easter!!

How are you all doing? I hope all is well.

I am doing a post of favorite Easter songs and pieces that could be used to capture the spirit of this day--supposedly the day celebrated for the Son of God's resurrection. I hope you are all celebrating this day with love and light and blessings with your family and friends. If you are in the market for some new sheet music, here are my picks for Easter. 

To The Lord, Sing a New Song.

This piece is based on the scripture in Psalms 96 where the people of place and time are seeking the Lord and singing him a new song of praise for the mourning. It is perfect for Easter, Thanksgiving and regular praising sessions everywhere. You can view, listen and buy it here.

Popular Arrangements of Hymns:

A collection of favorite hymns for new age piano solo, as well as a three SA/SATB harmony songs, and three original compositions by Chas Hathaway. For more information, visit http://chashathaway.com/ldssheetmusic Music included in this sheet music book: All Creatures of Our God and King Amazing Grace Battle Hymn of the Republic Beautiful Savior Come Thou Fount Come, Come Ye Saints How Great Thou Art Wide As Eternity The Fourth Day (original music by Chas) If You Could Hie to Kolob If You Could Hie to Kolob (for SATB choir) Praise to the Man (soprano/alto duet) That Easter Morn The Lord is My Shepherd We'll Bring the World His Truth Gethsemane, (for SATB choir, original song by Chas) How Gentle God's Commands.

You could view, listen and purchase a copy here. 

Good Christian Friends Rejoice and Sing

This popular piece is a calming reason to celebrate the love of the spirit of Jesus Christ and give you a chance to be God's man. It says in scripture that those who weep shall rejoice at the sight and power of the Lord. This is the perfect piece to sing praises to the Lord with. View and listen here. 

Those are my top three picks for Christians everywhere. Enjoy these and have a happy rest-of-Easter.

"Fire In My Soul" Lead Sheet Now Available on Sheet Music Plus

Hey! Is anyone out there?

Hi, it's Cody Weinmann, composer, here again with another post...

What seems to be the long-awaited lead sheet sheet music to one of my best songs called "Fire In My Soul" is finally live on Sheet Music Plus for all of you to download and listen to if you feel so inclined. There are two versions of the piece, one in E-flat minor and one in E-minor. You can choose whichever version is the best suits your singing style and voice. They are both available for download. Just be sure and click the 'Sheet Music Plus' link that will lead you to a search for it. You'll also be able to find both versions here and here.

Here is a little blurb about the piece:

"Fire In My Soul"--one song about longing and passion that shall never be forgotten. It is sung in choral or operatic style, guaranteed to warrant many performances that will bring audiences to tears. It is a good piece for intermediate singers in that it has alternating eighth note and sixteenth note rhythms in the vocals. This makes it a pleasant challenge to sing. It is only the chords and vocal part transposed in E-flat minor for one and E minor for the other.

Here on Youtube is the original version of the song:

Here, also on Youtube, is another version of the song (In E Minor):

Hopefully, this song will be of great inspiration to you all! Up and coming is the actual sheet music for piano/guitar chords and vocals in both keys.

Until next time,

Happy Easter!

Breezes

Hello musical family,

I know I have been away for a while. I want to go back now and bring your attention to a new piece that I recently finished. Note that there is no score for this piece is non-existent, but it is a good piece to listen to if accompanied by a creepy film. It was to be on an album of mood music that I have yet to finish. The piece is very atmospheric and quaint but shadowy with a lot of debt--all at once. Here, take a listen:

Until next time, take care and happy music making!!

All About "Palladio"

Welcome Viewers,

Today starts a series where I am promoting various pieces of music that I feel make great contributions to the classical repertoire of music--preferably the pieces that make up the current contemporary classical music generation.

For the first piece I'd like to recommend all people interested in becoming band directors to take a listen to "Palladio" by Karl Jenkins. The strong points of the piece include the eighth note melody that is the main cornerstone of the whole piece. This is followed by a repetitious 8th note build on the same note with slowly changing chords throughout the progression of the eighth note build.

It would be perfect for an intermediate advanced and advanced band ensemble. It is short enough for a beginning high school bands to tackle at end-of-quarter or semester concerts. So, band directors, this would literally be the perfect finishing piece that your band or wind ensemble needs.

Go here to get a copy of "Palladio."

About "Dear Sweet Voice"

 It is a melodrama of a tenor singer lamenting that he'd spent his best days as a singer. By the middle of the piece, the tenor is dreaming and in deeper lament about the old days as he fades into black because he lost his voice. Toward the end of the piece, his voice comes back in a blissful uptempo spiritual and he ends his swan song in a graceful finale. 

Here is the original text as it sung in concert:

My stars, my glory!

Has leapt away from me;

The harsh reality

Has darkened the very dream

No more thanks; no more bows!

No more glorious audience!

The stage once glowing bright has darkened;

The rows once filled have left.

Dear sweet voice

How I have loved you! 

Dear sweet gift alone,

How once did I have you,

Under my command,

No more whirlwinds of color;

My eyes, how I cannot see!

My flooding doubts I cannot ignore

Yet the siren song

Invites me to return.

Music, sweet music of mine,

Can’t your fabric of joy

Lend me one more try?

I will be there; I will be there!

It was the magnificent privilege to have my choral director, Dr. Andrew Crane perform this work for a recital of mine. He did such an outstanding job that I must share at least the audio of this wonderful performance with you.

Vocal singers, if you'd like a copy of this sheet music, it is available via digital download here.

Take time to enjoy the video and leave me any comments or questions you have on this blog or the video. Until next time, let's keep music alive!

Hey followers,

I thought I would share a bit of history and a cover version of a song with you. It is a famous hit from about 1963 from Bobby Hitfield and the Righteous Brothers. It is called "Unchained Melody."

This is my cover version of "Unchained Melody" sung live at a karaoke bar called the Spa in Desert Hot Springs, California. It is in the key of B-flat which is a step lower than the original Righteous Brother's version. That's a good thing because I'm more of a baritone-tenor singing range. I hope you enjoy this cover.

More original music and arrangements are coming to this blog that are or are soon to be available at  http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/Cody-Weinmann-CJW-Music/1308. 

Stay tuned!

New Band Score: "Mary"

I am posting the official video of my first and only work for concert band to date: "Mary" For Concert Band. Here is the information for the piece to give you an idea of if you want to play it. Grade 4. Wide scoring. Printable on 8 1/2 by 14 legal-sized paper. Suitable for college and professional bands. Includes score only. 6 minutes in concert length. If anyone is a band director and would like to take this on, go here.

Here is a video of a live performance of the piece (as audio) and a viewing of the score:

Feel free to watch the video and respond to it. Let me know what you think. Email me at codybusiness78@gmail.com.