When He Cometh by Cushing and Root arranged by Mary Katherine May

When He Cometh
Hymn Arrangement by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

I was inspired to compose this arrangement of When He Cometh during a potluck supper and hymn sing we hosted at our home on July 4, 2010, when Carol Nelson, wife of Pastor Bud Nelson (Community Missionary), requested it be sung as it reminded her of the hymns sung when she was a child.

There are many hymns designated over the years as children's hymns, when they are also a blessing and inspiration, teaching God's Word, to adults as well. I think it important to remember that in God's eyes we are all children. I recall from my time as a music director in churches how enthusiastically Jesus Loves Me was always sung, yet it is rarely used during worship services.

This arrangement is scored for the following instruments.

Soprano Recorder
Alto
Flute
Triangle
Bells
Piano
Cello
Handbells

O Little Town of Bethlehem Vocal Solo an American Christmas Carol by Phillips Brooks arr Mary Katherine May

O Little Town of Bethlehem
by Phillips Brooks (text) & Lewis Redner (tune)

arranged for Vocal Solo and Piano
by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

My arrangement of O Little Town of Bethlehem was composed with my friend, Donald Nelson, a tenor, in mind as the one to sing this solo. And thus, it is dedicated to him. It is a bit unusual to use a 12/8 meter in arranging the Christmas hymn, yet the arpeggiated chords support the melody quite well.

For demonstration purposes I used oboe for the vocal part, and yet the piece also works nicely as a C-instrument solo.

I invite you to read the article I wrote about Phillips Brooks on another of my blogs, Hymn and Commentary.

Star of the East by Amanda Kennedy and We Three Kings arranged for vocal and obbligato and piano by Mary Katherine May

The STAR
Star of the East
We Three Kings

arranged by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

Scored for ...
soprano solo with flute and oboe obbigato
or
vocal duet with flute obbligato
and piano

The Epiphany song, Star of the East, has long been a favorite of mine, and with the first year of producing our television program, The House United, and our first Christmas show, it seemed a good time to write an arrangement using this piece by Amanda Kennedy.

When we taped the music, the soprano solo was sung by Jan Brown of Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in New Hope, MN, and flute played by Wendy Grimes of the same church. I sang the lower vocal and played the piano.

LENT HOLY WEEK Man of Sorrows 'NEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS arranged by Mary Katherine May

Man of Sorrows or 'Neath the Cross of Jesus
an Ukrainian Orthodox hymn for Lent
arranged for piano solo

by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

'Neath the Cross of Jesus is the song of Mary, Mother of Jesus, standing at the foot of the cross, watching her son die. The words are a mother's words, filled with agony as she struggles to watch from afar... I have heard others say that she was not saddened by this event, and that Jesus went to the cross joyfully ...I don't believe that is humanly possible, and both Jesus and His mother were human, and had the love of mother and son.

O Son, my loved one, tell for what transgression, you must suffer through
this hour of opression, son of mine!

For the hymn arrangement with two stanzas written by Right Rev. Stephen Halleck, I have written additional stanzas to be used individually or together, to fill out the Holy Week events, making it suitable for a rendering of the Passion story or any worship service during Holy Week.

Working with the photographic images of art created by masters of the past, viewing the suffering of Jesus Christ, arranging the music ... it was difficult. The agony becomes palpable, and one cannot divorce one's self from the emotion of the moment.

I suggest following this piece with the singing of Christ, We Do All Adore Thee from the Seven Last Words by Theodore DuBois, preferably by SATB a cappella choir.

The One Who Loves a simple song of praise by Mary Katherine May

The One Who Loves
a simple praise song

by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

For use as a C-instrument solo, vocal solo, with our without descants. Melody line and descants include text. This is suitable for congregational or group song, or as an ensemble piece. The piano does not double the part.

This song has been a true blessing for me. I call it praying with my fingers.

The quilt art with draped cross and butterflies was designed and created by myself-Mary Katherine May, and the background photograph is one I took of the lily-of-the-valley patch in our front yard. The violet thread embroidered cross was made by our daughter-in-law, Brandy Lea May. The stained glass doved was made by my husband, Richard May, the photograph taken with it hung in front of one of the windows in our foyer.

Old Ship of Zion a 2 Piano Duet arranged by Mary Katherine May of THE HO...

Old Ship of Zion
arranged for 2 Piano, 4 hands

a medley of early American tunes
Old Ship of Zion
Babylon Has Fallen
On Jordan's Stormy Banks
I'm Bound for the Land of Canaan

by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

This composition is one of my personal favorites, particulary for one verse in a stanza ... She's landed all who've gone before, and yet she's able to still land more. I think it FANTAZABABULOUS that God always has room for all who will come!

This duet's level of playing ability is advanced/difficult.

JoyfulJoyful Hymn Arrangement on JOYFUL JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE from the Ni...

JoyfulJoyful
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
by Ludwig von Beethoven

arranged by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

for Trumpet and Organ

This fast-paced, brightly scored arrangement for trumpet solo and organ is excellent used as a postlude or wedding recessional.

Jesus Lover of My Soul ABERYSTWYTH Perry arr Piano Solo by Mary Katherine May

In this wonderful tune (ABERYSTWYTH) by Joseph Parry, I have always sensed an urgency that is also found in the text composed by Charles Wesley. My effort was to place that urgency into the scoring of this hymn for piano solo.

ANGEL PRAISE MEDLEY arranged for SSATB 2 Trumpets Organ Handbell Choir by Mary Katherine May

Angel Praise Medley
Angels Watching Over Me
Angels We Have Heard on High
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

arranged by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

Scored for...
2 Trumpets
Handbells
Organ
SSATB Choir

The one issue when composing with the Finale program is that the sounds used for vocals not only do not come close to duplicating the voice, but also that the sound is not entirely pleasant. I hope you that when listening to this arrangement, you will imagine a choir singing.

Carol of the Bells or Ukrainian Bell Carol arrangement by Mary Katherine...

Carol of the Bells
Ukrainian Bell Carol

arranged for piano solo
by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

Dedicated to my friend and lawyer since "before she was born," Julia Pawluk.

The NT Kids a Song to Memorize the Books of the New Testament by Mary Katherine May

The NT Kids
a song to learn the books of the New Testament
using "Brother, Come and Dance with Me"
by Engelbert Humperdinck
from his operetta, Hansel and Gretal

arranged by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

Ye Thankful People November 2009 USA Thanksgiving

Ye Thankful People
Bringing in the Sheaves
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

an arrangement by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

Scored for...
Handbell Choir
Clarinet in B-flat
Organ

Arranging graphics to accompany this piece holds a personal note for me, because they include pictures taken in Onalaska Township just outside of Holmen, Wisconsin, where my husband Rick's mother's family settled. The photos include Halfway Creek Lutheran Church where Rick was baptized as an infant.

Battle Hymn of the Republic arranged by Mary Katherine May

GloryHallelujah
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
by Julia Ward Howe
arranged by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

Scored for
Trumpet
Tuba
Cymbals
Snare Drums (2)
Piano

This ensemble arrangement has a great sound, and was needed for one of our cable TV programs in such a hurry that the final editing has never been completed. I have scored it for two different instrumental ensembles: one for Veterans Day in November, and one for Easter.

The HAND THAT REACHES OUT Mercy Seat by Mary Katherine May Christian Inspirational

The Mercy Seat
written and arranged by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

for Vocal Solo or C Instrument

There are many times in our life when we turn to the Mercy Seat of the Lord, and often in such circumstances we are helpless but to pray. Prayer is the best of all things to do, entrusting our hearts to the one who provides the ultimate healing.

This song was written following the news about two dear friends walking through very serious times. I wrote the music previous to the writing the refrain. The stanzas are a paraphrase of a John Newton hymn.

It is dedicated Pastors Bud and Elaine Bonn. Elaine offers healing prayer through Healing Center International, and Budd is visitation pastor at Lutheran Church of the Master in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

The quilted square used as a graphic in this video was designed and executed by me, Mary Katherine May. The background upon which the quilt art lies is a photograph of the Lily of the Valley patch in our front yard.

UNTIL I COME HOME words & music by Mary Katherine May Piano performance ...

Until I Come Home
an original vocal solo
by Mary Katherine May
of Quality Music and Books

One early morning during my devotional time, the Lord gave me through a still, small voice His plan for me. When I doubted that I would be equal to the task, He reassured me that He would see me through.

I dedicated this song to Jan Hausman, who through the years reassured me when I needed it.

When He Cometh by Cushing and Root arranged by Mary Katherine May

When He Cometh arranged by Mary Katherine May

Arranged for...
recorder/C flute
alto flute
bells
triangle
piano
cello
handbells

Score available at no charge from Mary Katherine May, co-owner of Quality Music and Books. or email MaryKoshuba@gmail.com

Zacchaeus, The Wee Little Man or COME AND GET IT! arranged by Mary Kathe...

The Zacchaeus song was arranged using glockenspiel or high bells, flute, oboe, cello and piano. It was written to accompany the story version that I wrote. This is my most popular song on youtube. While the credits are running I added in the song that my mother sang to us every morning to wake us up for school--Good Morning to You. Of course, I am hoping that people are listening to hear the Zacchaeus arrangement!

Permission is granted to download this video for inspirational use. For sheet music download information and permission please contact Mary Katherine May through this blog.

Zacchaeus, the Wee Little Man, was produced through Northwest Cable Television for the program, The House United that airs on cable channel 19, 4 p.m. Saturdays, in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. For sheet music download information and permission please contact Mary Katherine May through this blog.

Now Thank We All Our God Nun danket alles Gott by Johann Cruger

This arrangement of Now Thank We All Our God is titled The Salt of the Earth. It is dedicated to those who dedicate their lives to living a Godly life as taught in Matthew 5, acting as shepherds to God's children wherever he leads them. It is dedicated to Dr. Morris Vaagenes, who after a successful ministry in his 80th year of life is serving Lutheran Church of the Master as its Senior Pastor. Currently Pastor Morris is in his 55th year of ministry.

The Salt of the Earth is related to the following phrase that came to my mind.... He's the salt of the earth, a light to the world... What this means to me is that the person is solid through strength from God, is faithful, honest and truthful, and serves the Lord with every house of energy granted by God. Permission granted to download this video.

This version was produced through Northwest Community Television for the show The House United, a Christian variety program that airs in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, MN on cable channel 19 at 4p.m. on Saturdays. For sheet music download and permissions please contact Mary Katherine May through this blog.

Somebody's Knocking At Your Door arr by Mary Katherine May

I had a great time arranging the spiritual, Somebody's Knocking At Your Door and adding the graphics. The whole piece is short and inviting. Through quick movement of graphics tha that include inquiring and inviting facial expressions, the listener is asked, "Why not come to Jesus and begin your new life RIGHT NOW? This version was produced through Northwest Community Television for the show The House United, a Christian variety program, that airs in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, MN, on cable channel 19 at 4p.m. on Saturdays. Permission granted to download this video either here or on youtube for inspirational private and church use. For sheet music download information and use permissions please contact Mary Katherine May through this blog.

My Spirit Lives for Alto Flute and Piano by Mary Katherine May

My Spirit Lives is a song that is very dear to me. Six years we lost a family member in an accident. Kenneth was 24 years old. He was a gentle, kind young man. Not long after his death, it seemed to me that this song was to be written down. Kenneth was now free. This video arrangement was produced through Northwest Community Television for The House United, a Christian variety show that airs in the Northwest Suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. For download information and permissions please contact Mary Katherine May throught his site.

Angels Among Us by Mary May with Revelation 5MPEG 4

I wrote Angels Among Us so that it could be used as a voice solo or as a piano solo. Here I play the song with a narration that is from the book of Revelation. In the previous post it is sung by Don Nelson and played by Sue Opland. This song as well as others here have been produced and used on our public access tv show, The House United that airs on cable channel 19 in the Northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, MN through Northwest Community Television. For download information and permissions please contact Mary Katherine May through this blog.

Don Nelson and Sue Opland sing HE BROKE THE MOLD and ANGELS AMONG US

On this video you will hear my dear friends Don Nelson and Sue Opland perform two of my pieces, the first is an arrangement and the second original. He Broke the Mold is described in the previous post. The second song, Angels Among Us is based upon a Matthew verse, along with my idea that there will be nothing better than to spend eternity at the feet of Jesus singing praise--until the angels will allow me to rise and sing with them in the sky! To obtain sheet music download information and permissions please contact Mary Katherine May through this blog.

He Broke the Mold by Mary May The Solid RockMPEG 4

He Broke the Mold was written when the thought came to me that God will take our previous ways and break them apart, and then reshape the clay into a new mold. The words are the song On Christ the Solid Rock updated to today's language with a bit of my original words added in. This version that you hear was produced with the finale allegro program. To request sheet music download information and permissions please contact Mary Katherine May by email.

ARISE! EASTER God's Son Has Made Me Free/Up From the Grave He Arose/Jesu...

Songs included in this arrangement are God's Son Has Made Me Free by Edvard Grieg, and hymns Up From the Grave He Arose and Jesus Christ Has Risen Today. Written for trumpet in B-flat quartet and organ. To obtain sheet music for this work contact Mary Katherine May for download information and permissions.