Be Thou My Vision
$75.00
SLANE (an Irish folk tune)
For Orchestra
From hymnary.org:
“SLANE is an old Irish folk tune associated with the ballad “With My Love on the Road” in Patrick W. Joyce’s Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909). It became a hymn tune when it was arranged by David Evans (PHH 285) and set to the Irish hymn “Be Thou My Vision” published in the Church Hymnary (1927). SLANE is named for a hill in County Meath, Ireland, where St. Patrick’s lighting of an Easter fire–an act of defiance against the pagan king Loegaire (fifth century)–led to his unlimited freedom to preach the gospel in Ireland.
This setting of SLANE takes a variations approach to the tune with three recognizable but distinct interpretations. The first is an intimate and contemplative interpretation, followed by a jig, which is fitting for the tune’s Irish background, and the third is a majestic chorale. Snippets of “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (CWM RHONDDA) appear during interludes.
Robert Myers
S.D.G.
Duration: ~4′ 10″
8 Ball
$24.99in memoriam TEXAS DOUGLAS RYAN MYERS
For Clarinet Quartet
8 Ball is an exploration of the emotional swings of grief — shock and sorrow, emptiness and isolation, pain and finality — mixed with wistful, treasured memories recognizing the blessing of sharing life with a loved one, and added to this the hope of eternal reunion. It’s written in memory of my brother, Tex, who we lost to COVID in 2020. In homage to his passion, dirt track racing, there is a contrasting section of paint-swapping, fender-bending frenzy, which comes to an all too sudden end as did his life. The title has nothing to do with billiards but refers to his long-tenured racing number and logo. The music uses unconventional scales which are actually six-tone pitch sets treated as different key centers that produce a lush mixture of consonance and dissonance that at turns feel comforting and unsettling. Writing 8 Ball was a cathartic experience to explore my own emotions, cement my brother’s proper place in my memories, and produce a tangible expression of my love for him. It was written as an assignment in the 2023 summer composition workshop at Tarrant County College. I’m grateful to my instructor, Dr. Aaron Kline, the music department at TCC, and the musicians of our performing quartet for their part in bringing this music to life.
Robert Myers
S.D.G.
Duration: ~8’15”
Crown Him
$75.00
DIAMDEM, CORONATION, and DIADEMATA
For Orchestra
“Crown Him” reinterprets the classic hymn tunes DIAMDEM and CORONATION (All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name) plus DIADEMATA (Crown Him with Many Crowns) as a unified grand anthem for orchestra. The music is celebratory and majestic offset with moments of intimacy appropriate for the coronation of our Eternal King. Sure to be thrilling for all listeners, it is suitable for use at Easter, Ascension Sunday, services in anticipation of Christ’s return or ultimate victory and, well, really any Sunday as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection every week. It is crafted for the variable instrumentation and skills of the typical church orchestra with frequent tuttis, exposed parts only where competent players are common, friendly keys and meters, liberal cues, no more than three musical lines at a time (usually just two), and musical figures well within the grasp of high school players. The one possible exception would be the timpani line where a fairly accomplished player is needed.
Robert Myers
S.D.G.
Duration: ~4’55”
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/d_Kbdiib6p8″ title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
You Were Once Darkness
$12.99a musical interpretation of Ephesians 5:8
For String Trio
The music of You Were Once Darkness follows a redemptive arc, a journey from dark to light, from chaos to repose. It’s not meant to be auto-biographical but to be meaningful to anyone who has known the sweetness of overcoming personal brokenness, whether it might be addiction, self-destruction, religious deliverance, or other crisis. It approaches the topic from the perspective of overcoming self. The harmonies, rhythms, and timbres of the piece strive to portray this transition.
Robert Myers
S.D.G.
Duration: ~8’15”
ROBERT MYERS
Jesus told us that no one puts new wine into old wineskins, but Robert Myers is putting that to the test with a mid-life career change into composition with a focus on sacred music.
American Prize No. 2
I’m excited to announce that DAVID’S KYRIE for a cappella chorus was selected in April, 2025 as a National Finalist in The American Prize in Composition in the shorter choral […]
American Prize No.1
I’m excited to announce that A DAY ON HELLROARING PLATEAU for Concert Band was selected in April, 2025 as a National Finalist in The American Prize in Composition in the […]
and . . . He breathed His last.
The four Gospels variously record Christ’s final act on the cross as: “yielded up His spirit” (Matthew), “breathed His last” (Mark and Luke), and “gave up His spirit” (John). The […]