Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Come and Talk with Me

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Today – May 24, 2022 – is release day for Come and Talk with Me. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music services, or by clicking below. As you listen, scroll down to read the inspiration behind this song…

 

Don’t we all have a friend or family member who we want to talk with, or who we want to come and talk with us? The title of this piece speaks to this universal human desire, for another person to “come and talk with me.” Yet the context of these words from Psalm 27:8 is an invitation from God, asking us to come and talk with Him. In Psalm 27:8 the psalmist writes, “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.'” (NLT) Other versions of this Scripture speak to seeking God, seeking His face, worshiping God, praying to God, and chasing after God. God’s simple invitation to Come and talk with Me is deep and rich with meaning.

Psalm 27 begins with, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Throughout the Bible God promises to be our Savior, Protector, Provider, Comforter, Healer, Guide, and much more. When I put my faith and trust in Him as Father, and seek to obey Him, God is always faithful to be with me. He is filled with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience in response to my sin, and when I fall short of His holiness. Jesus is the only Perfect and Holy One, without sin. He invites each of us to be saved by His grace and forgiveness when we receive this gift by faith. We can come and talk with Jesus and God with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Musically there are two primary themes. The introductory theme has some rhythmic movement to symbolize life’s busyness. Even though coming to talk with God is a simple invitation, it is not so easy most of the time. The main chorus theme which answers is an expression of when we begin to experience God’s voice, and when we purse coming to talk with Him. The beauty and wonder elevate musically to illustrate the blessing of being in fellowship with Him. The “life is busy” theme returns once more, but the “hearing God’s voice” theme becomes what the song is about. This chorus theme is repeated to the end of the song with various solo instruments, orchestra, and choir joining the piano, sometimes in unison, and sometimes with a counter melody or harmony. The music fades slowly to a gentle chord ending, symbolizing walking through life on earth, and into eternity in conversation with God, speaking our heart and listening to Him. I hope this piece is uplifting to your life and faith journey, and offers you peace and encouragement in your current circumstances.

How does “Come and Talk with Me” speak into your story right now?

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” — Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

Harmonies of Light

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Today is release day for the new song Harmonies of Light. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all music platforms, or you can click below. As you listen, scroll down and read some of the story behind this song.

 

The new title Harmonies of Light surfaced when I came across Isaiah 45:7, which talks about how God forms light and makes harmonies. These are only two of His vast, infinite capabilities, and they are definitely worthy of musical expression! I also found the word harmonies used in Philippians and Colossians, and included all three passages down below.

Since Johann Sebastian Bach is my favorite composer, and he phrased my favorite quote about music, I was inspired to use the opening chord progression and harmonies from his famous Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major. If you haven’t heard it before, you should look it up (renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs a gorgeous version on YouTube). After finding the left hand chords, I began experimenting with melodies in the right hand. The ideas began to flow over a couple of days, and the opening section began to take shape. I initially thought I would continue to use Bach’s harmonic chords, but the initial sequence launched me into a new place. The Cello Suite harmonies became a slow introduction theme, followed by a variation on this with piano and a solo clarinet. Then I found my own chord progression and melody, which became the central theme of the piece. It appears first at the 2:25 mark, with piano and harp, and is repeated from 3:20 to 4:15 with the clarinet, orchestra and choir joining in. The introductory theme returns again for a slow, beautiful ending with its beautiful harmonies. The very end features a hint of the main theme melody to tie everything together and complete Harmonies of Light.

In my 2021 video series Piano with Stanton Lanier my opening words for each of the 12 episodes is “…I believe we all have a song in our heart, and we can think of our life as a song as we seek to make a positive difference in the world.” And the Bach quote I love is, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” If we seek to glorify God and refresh the souls of people through our lives, this is one way to be a harmony of light in the world. I pray your light shines brightly today!

How does “Harmonies of Light” and its inspiration speak to you?

“I am God, the only God there is. I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords. I, God, do all these things.” — Isaiah 45:7

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” — Philippians 4:8-9

“He (Jesus) was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.” — Colossians 1:17-20

Wiping Away Every Tear

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The new song Wiping Away Every Tear just released today. It is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music platforms, or you can click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this piece. (The “Explicit Lyrics” indication on some music services is an unfortunate error which hopefully will be corrected and removed soon.)

 

I was inspired to compose and record Wiping Away Every Tear to express the need for hope and healing in times of loss or sadness. During twenty-two years of composing Scripture inspired instrumental music, within my fourteen albums and twenty-one singles there are some melodies and harmonies which “speak” to real life moments when we have tears, distress, or sadness. Hope, healing, and even forgiveness can all be found in time, and are available from God by His grace when we seek Him and ask Him for help. This can also require surrendering or releasing a circumstance to Him. This has helped me make progress toward not being anxious about anything, and experiencing God’s peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

Fear and anxiety are issues I have faced for much of my life, but God has continued to offer hope and healing. I have found Him faithful to guard and protect, and even bless my heart and life with His goodness and faithfulness. I hope this melody will inspire you and encourage you if you are facing any type of loss or sadness. The verses below were the inspiration behind this song, and have been helpful to me.  Wishing you God’s grace and peace today, and in your days ahead, Stanton

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” — Revelation 21:4

“…he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.” — Isaiah 25:8

Sky Whisper – Treasures of Peace II

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The new song Sky Whisper (track 17) and album Treasures of Peace II are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music platforms, or you can click below. As you listen, scroll down for the inspiration behind this new song and album.

 

Sky Whisper is the name of my studio which I created in 2016. “Sky” is another word for “God” and “Whisper” is another word for “Voice,” so for me the studio means “God’s Voice.” In my composing and creating I want to surrender every note and song, to glorify God and refresh the souls of people (this is what Johann Sebastian Bach believed the aim and final end of all music should be, to glorify God and refresh the soul). Treasures of Peace II is my second listener favorites collection, featuring seventeen pieces of music created from 2015 (Breathe) to the beginning of 2022 (Sky Whisper). The track selections include favorites from albums Climb to the Sky (2016) and So Loved (2018), as well as many singles released in 2020 and 2021, featuring both piano and orchestral works.

Musically, Sky Whisper is filled with melodies and meaning. The introduction and ending symbolize God’s ever presence, from eternity past to eternity future, with cinematic piano and powerful orchestra string swells. There is tension in learning how to hear God’s voice and and practicing this. The rhythmic cello and high piano represent life’s walk, the search, and the longing for God’s voice. A slower chorus follows representing how we begin to experience God and His voice, and we realize there is more for Him to reveal to us if we continue our pursuit. The music returns to the rhythmic walk but now it is deeper and richer, with more happening musically as God’s voice becomes more familiar. The chorus follows with its melody and the opening melody overlayed, more complex musically, yet more simple and intimate as we grow in hearing and knowing God’s voice. Then we are introduced to a third musical section (we can refer to these sections as theme A rhythmic verse, theme B chorus, and theme C bridge or second chorus). Theme C expresses a deeper knowing and longing, what C.S. Lewis refers to as “further up and further in” as we taste more of heaven on earth, along with the sweetness and beauty of intimacy with God.
 
The song then returns to the familiar early melodies, in a way remembering our past and need for growth in Christ, with new beautiful melodies woven in, symbolizing how God is with us always, even when we don’t feel His presence. The ending revisits the opening. God has been God from eternity past until now, and He will be for all eternity in the future. The rhythmic cello ends hopefully walking with God (in a major key) to the end. This hopeful ending is a shift from earlier in the song, when there is more tension, searching, and a haunting beauty from a combination of minor and major keys and scales. In the beginning, earlier in our life’s walk we are longing for something more and, as was the case for me, I didn’t know that hearing God’s voice was what I needed most. In my story I was thirty years old before I fully surrendered and ask God to speak to me. The sooner and more deeply we surrender, the more God has to reveal to us in our life and faith journey.
 
How does Sky Whisper speak into your story?
 
“With one breath he clears the sky, with one finger he crushes the sea serpent. And this is only the beginning, a mere whisper of his rule. Whatever would we do if he really raised his voice!” — Job 26:13-14 (MSG)
 
“A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:12 (MSG)
 

Riding the Clouds

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The new song Riding the Clouds is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music platforms, or you can click below to listen. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this dreamy, hope filled melody.

 

What would it feel like to float on a big, white, puffy cloud, soaking in the warm sunshine from above? This is what I wanted the music to sound like for Riding on the Clouds. The rhythmic piano pattern, and various melodies and harmonies on harp, cellos, horns, and flutes are seeking to express what it would feel like to ride on the clouds. Ambient piano sounds, a full string orchestra, and woodwinds provide rich harmonies and substance underneath. As the song fades to an end, a solo trumpet ushers us toward heaven.

This piece is one to just sit back and take in. The title and theme Scripture verses speak for themselves, and are filled with hope and wonder (see below). With this being released in December, I am reminded how each song and its inspiration are for “all the people” to encourage us in our life and faith journey. One of the most popular Christmas passages, Luke Chapter 2, says in verses 10 and 11, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

How does “Riding the Clouds” inspire you? 

“Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us, who blood-washed our sins from our lives, Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father, forever—and yes, he’s on his way! Riding the clouds, he’ll be seen by every eye…” — Revelation 1:6-7 (MSG)

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…” — Revelation 1:6-7 (NIV)

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.” — Daniel 7:13 (NIV)

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Imagine Immeasurable

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Today is worldwide release day for Imagine Immeasurable. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all music platforms, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this beautiful and welcoming orchestral track offering peace and hope to our lives and stories.

 

When I started composing the music I envisioned a bigger, powerful “immeasurable” theme to represent God and His infinite strength, and a smaller, delicate “imagine” theme to represent me and my dependence on Him. We are responsible for the imagining and He is responsible for the immeasurable. An introduction happened with soft organ, solo English horn, and gentle choir, followed by a beautiful solo oboe melody. My music ideas shifted to an “immeasurable” main theme expressing God’s beauty and majesty, and an “imagine” secondary theme conveying my well intended energy and effort.

This moved my heart to see that God’s immeasurable nature did not require a strong and powerful effort by Him. Instead, I began to consider how His creation of the stars, the universe, the earth, the oceans, the mountains, the flowers, the animals, and human beings, everything, happened with ease, majesty, and beauty. His immeasurable does not require striving or stress for anything. Rather, there is a sense of ease, confidence, assurance, beauty, grace, and love in everything He does. This perspective was a new revelation for me, as I reflected on the inspiration from Ephesians 3:20, which has become more and more special in my life and faith. It moves me to focus on God’s abundance instead of my scarcity, to imagine great possibilities as I delight in Him and seek His desires for me, and to know His power is working in and through me by the Holy Spirit.

The primary “immeasurable” theme which is first heard as an oboe solo is repeated throughout the song, with more instruments joining to increase its breadth and depth. The secondary “imagine” theme answers, bringing some energy with French horn and rhythmic strings to symbolize how we tend to bring our own strength and effort to a situation. The choir harmonies represent heaven in all its grandeur. The “imagine” theme becomes slower the second time it appears, and a majestic cathedral organ leads the melody to represent God’s immeasurable protecting and enveloping our strength, our life, and our story. As the song progresses the “imagine” becomes more like the “immeasurable” to symbolize our gradual growth in becoming more like Jesus by surrendering to God, trusting Him completely, and having more grace and love for all people. The immeasurable theme repeats to the end, slowly working its way from full orchestra to the solo oboe we heard in the beginning, with soft strings and choir harmony underneath, and a final chord by the full orchestra.

How does “Imagine Immeasurable” speak into your life and story today? 

EPHESIANS 3:20 (NIV, NKJV, and MSG versions)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Revealer of Mysteries

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Today is worldwide release day for Revealer of Mysteries. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all music platforms, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this cinematic, orchestral track filled with drama, power, and mystery, and offering hope and possibility to our lives and stories.

 

Wonder, Joy, Beauty, and Mystery are themes and inspiration for four songs I composed during summer 2021. If you haven’t heard the first three yet, you can read the story behind them as you listen to each melody, or you can stream them on your favorite music service — Breathing Wonder, Joy Singing Joy, and Gaze Upon the Beauty.

Revealer of Mysteries is a cinematic, orchestral track filled with drama, power, and mystery, and offering hope and possibility to our lives and stories. I composed it as though it were a film score for the life of Daniel. His story included him interpreting Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (chapter 2), three friends being thrown in the blazing furnace (chapter 3), and him being thrown in the lion’s den (chapter 6). I hope both the music and the inspiration behind Revealer of Mysteries will encourage you with a sense of hope and possibility in your life and story, whatever your circumstances may be.

Music Overview

The song opens with rhythmic strings, and a hint of the “power” theme. The first “mystery” theme section follows, which has a slower tempo and begins some dramatic tension. The power theme answers, but is much bigger this time, with horns, and more of the orchestra playing the melody. A bigger version of the mystery theme arrives next, adding a counter melody on strings, and some rhythmic choir harmony. The biggest combination of the power theme follows, with rhythmic strings, full symphony on melody, and timpani drum. Then there is a final, smaller mystery section highlighted by piano and bells. The gradual ending revisits the power theme with small instrumentation, piano and rhythmic choir, revealing a dramatic ending.

Inspiration Overview

God has been inspiring me for many years with His extraordinary power and mystery (see Isaiah 55:8-9 and Jeremiah 33:3). Throughout the Bible, and to this day, He uses ordinary men and women to do amazing and extraordinary things when they surrender to Him, want to hear His voice, and seek to obey Him. I have found God faithful in my life as I watch to see what He reveals to me, and then what He invites me to do. He is truly a Revealer of Mysteries.

“In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed” (Daniel 2:1-2). None of the king’s wise men could interpret his dream, and he was so angry he decided to have every one of them put to death. Daniel heard about this, and knew he and his friends would be executed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. That night God gave him a vision. “During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: ‘Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king'” (Daniel 2:19-23).

“The king asked Daniel, ‘Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?’ Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries'” (Daniel 2:26-28). After Daniel interprets the dream in every detail, King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor (Daniel 2:46). Then the song title verse appears in Daniel 2:47 — The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

I hope both this dramatic, powerful, and mysterious story from Daniel’s life, and the music, offer you hope and possibility in your life and story. May this new song Revealer of Mysteries play a small part in encouraging you with God’s peace and presence. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you. He is with you. His hand is upon you. I have found Him trustworthy beyond belief, and so want you to know and experience His goodness and faithfulness in your life as well.

How does Revealer of Mysteries speak to you? Musically? Spiritually?

Gaze Upon the Beauty

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Today is release day for Gaze Upon the Beauty. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all music platforms, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the story behind this stilling melody offering peace and beauty.

 

This piece is expressing the simple (but not easy) idea to practice stillness before God, to gaze upon His beauty, and to listen for His voice. It brings to mind the Scripture passage “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), and the Bible story of Mary and Martha, when Jesus said Mary did a “beautiful thing” listening intently at His feet, while Martha was busy about many things (Luke 10:38-42).

After years of “striving to achieve” (how I describe my approach to life and career goals in my 20s), God began helping me pursue His idea of “abiding to receive.” His definition of success is different from the ways of the world. He invites me to meditate on His Word, practice what it says, listen for His voice, and seek to obey what He would have me to do. Then, God says, “you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8). His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

These are some of the threads woven into Gaze Upon the Beauty. The inspiration and the music invite me to be more still and less hurried, to have more calm and less busyness, and to know more peace in the midst of life’s storms. This is why the piano has such a simple repeating melody, and why the tempo is very slow. The cello notes begin “singing” the words “Gaze upon the beauty” very slowly over the piano. Then the piano and French horn take us into a long gaze, meditating on God’s beauty, and reminding us of His beauty we see in people and creation around us. Finally the horn sings the “Gaze upon the beauty” melody a few more times while the cello harmonizes. The piano climbs higher and higher to a simple, uplifting ending. The swelling orchestral strings underneath add to the profound treasure available to us in these simple truths.

What does “Gaze Upon the Beauty” mean to you?

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire (meditate) in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

Joy Singing Joy

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Today is release day for Joy Singing Joy. This is my first composition for a full choir, and you can stream everywhere. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all other outlets, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this song.

 

Living from a deep sense of joy in my heart has been a long process for me. As you may have read or heard already, joy is a significant part of my redemptive story, since I spent many years taking life too seriously. My journey led to the release of four songs with “joy” in the title — Joyful on my second album Still Waters, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring on my sixth album December Peace, Vive La Joye on my seventh album A Thousand Years, and Joy to the World on my twelfth album December Peace II. At age thirty I surrendered my career to God, and my joy slowly began to increase as I studied Scripture and listened for God’s voice. At age thirty-five I wrote my first instrumental song, and at age forty I became a full-time pianist and composer.

The more I keep receiving God’s love, grace, and joy, the more I am able to give these to others. This song and its title were born from this idea of receiving, giving, and repeating this process in our lives. God’s “Joy Singing” brings me joy, and my “Joy Singing” brings Him joy. My life and other lives are blessed in the process. Some days God’s “Joy Singing” helps me find some joy to make it through. Some days my “Joy Singing” overflows into people’s lives, rooted in a deep sense of gratitude to God. Even though I am imperfect and inconsistent, God’s character is constant. His love, grace, and joy are always there for me, and for you. When the revelation for this song happened, I realized the word JOY could form a cross as a symbol of Jesus’s love for me, and the joy in receiving His forgiveness of my sin forever.

Joy Singing Joy was a new musical challenge because in my previous songs featuring choir, the voices support the piano or blend with the orchestra. This time a full choir would be the lead instrument, with sopranos and tenors singing the melody, and altos and basses adding harmony. Since the word “singing” was at the center of the title, I wanted the choir to be front and center, with a string orchestra underneath. I was also inspired to give some shining moments to instruments which require breath. A solo trumpet accents the main melody, and flutes and trombones add rhythmic harmony as the song builds. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6, NIV).

Wherever you are in your “journey with joy” in this life on earth, I pray Joy Singing Joy will inspire and encourage you to pursue God more deeply if you know Him, and to investigate Jesus more deeply if you are being drawn toward Him. These gifts of love, grace, and forgiveness offer an eternal joy and peace which transcend all understanding (see Philippians 4:6-8).

How does “Joy Singing Joy” speak to you?

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)

“Worship the Lord with joy. Enter his presence with joyful singing.” – Psalm 100:2 (NET)

“I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart. I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.” – Psalm 9:1-2 (MSG)

“They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.” – Psalm 126:5 (AMP)

“I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.” – Habakkuk 3:18 (MSG)

Breathing Wonder – New Song Story

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The new song Breathing Wonder just released today, June 1st. You can stream everywhere including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music services, or listen below. I would love to hear how this speaks to you. As you listen, scroll down to read some of the story behind this piece…

 

If you have known me or my music for a while, seen me live in concert, or read other blog posts, you know that child-like faith and joy are a vital part of my story. These characteristics were present in life’s early years, but from my late teens into my thirties they were deeper down beneath the surface. I had good intentions about growing in my faith, being a good husband and father, having a successful career, and loving and leading others well. However, I took everything too seriously. These goals became more of a burden, which decreased my sense of child-like wonder, awe, and joy. By God’s grace, and through pursuing Jesus more, my life is being transformed, and I have experienced deeper peace and joy in my heart, life, and music as a result.

Breathing Wonder is filled with child-like faith, wonder, and joy. This composition is my first ever marimba concerto, featuring marimba as the lead instrument, supported by chamber strings and choir. I found the themes on the piano, but wanted to elevate the joy and rhythm. The marimba is like a child skipping through life. The main theme is in 7/8 time, which adds to the adventure. The secondary theme is 4/4 time and breathes more, with choir notes inspired by “they’ll take your breath away.” Some beautiful, wild azaleas became the artwork after their “singing” captured my attention on a spring nature walk.

My hope is for you and everyone who listens to be reminded of moments of joy and wonder from your childhood, and perhaps even a recent memory when you felt a sense of amazement at God’s creation or faithfulness in your life. For me, life is an adventure to live instead of a problem to solve. Adventures with Jesus leading the way are quite breathtaking, and filled with wonder. May His joy and wonder be an invitation and blessing to you today!

All together now—applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory, set glory to the rhythms of his praise. Take a good look at God’s wonders—they’ll take your breath away. He converted sea to dry land; travelers crossed the river on foot. Now isn’t that cause for a song? — Psalm 66:1-2, and 5-6 (MSG)

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. — Psalm 66:1-2, and 5-6 (NIV)

How does “Breathing Wonder” inspire you?