Category Archives: Todd's music

original compositions and arrangements

Some Video Coming

Posted on 14 November 2011 by

Possibly. We got a nice video recording of dress rehearsal for Tobit: The Path of Virtue Friday night. In some ways, it was the best performance of the weekend. My wife thought Sunday people seemed a little bit tired. And … Continue reading →

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“Sarah’s Burden”

Posted on 10 November 2011 by

My friend John snapped a few dozen images at rehearsal last night, including this one of the very earliest songs written, “Sarah’s Burden.” Her household’s maids deliver a shrill rebuke in the song previous to this one (Tobit 3:7-9). The … Continue reading →

Posted in Parish Life, Scripture, Tobit, Todd's music | 1 Comment

“Go In Peace”

Posted on 9 November 2011 by

After Sarah’s sorrow is lifted by Tobiah, her father, understandably, wants to keep son-in-law #8 close at hand. The young man must eventually take his leave and return to Nineveh. I wrote an extended setting of Tobit 10:7bff, and placed … Continue reading →

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Asmodeus: The Blur of Evil

Posted on 8 November 2011 by

There was discussion on how to depict the demon afflicting Sarah. We didn’t determine an actual casting role for certain until we were well into rehearsals. From Tobit 3:17: So Raphael was sent to heal … to give Sarah, the daughter … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Parish Life, Scripture, Tobit, Todd's music | 1 Comment

“Be Brave, My Daughter”

Posted on 4 November 2011 by

Another image from Sunday night’s rehearsal. Tobit 7:17 presented an opportunity and a challenge to set to music. The opportunity is to draw out a relationship between two important characters. From the biblical text, we know of Sarah’s devotion to her … Continue reading →

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“I can see you, son, the light of my eyes”

Posted on 3 November 2011 by

Another image from rehearsal: From late in the second act: Tobiah comes home with a cure for his father. The song sets Tobit 11:9-15. For the final refrain, three singers conclude: Tobit: I can see my son, the light of my … Continue reading →

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Marriage Prayer

Posted on 2 November 2011 by

An image from rehearsal, ”Marriage Prayer.” TOBIAH: Blessed are you, God of our ancestors, blessed forever is your holy name. Let the heavens praise you, and all your creation for evermore. SARAH: The Lord our God told Adam it is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture, Tobit, Todd's music | 1 Comment

“Seven dead husbands, two this past week”

Posted on 28 October 2011 by

My artistic director thinks a dead husband in Sarah’s bed will help things along. Read it from Tobit 3:7-9: On that very day, at Ecbatana in Media, it so happened that Raguel’s daughter Sarah also had to listen to reproaches … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture, Tobit, Todd's music | 1 Comment

Eleven More Rehearsals To Go

Posted on 18 October 2011 by

My friend Tim Read did an excellent job with the poster, don’t you think? Hard to believe we have only eleven rehearsals left. Am I getting nervous? Not really. We ran most of Act I and the first three songs … Continue reading →

Posted in Tobit, Todd's music | 3 Comments

Tobiah’s Fish

Posted on 16 October 2011 by

Meet Tobiah’s fish. When the young man went down to wash his feet in the Tigris River, a large fish leaped out of the water and tried to swallow his foot. He shouted in alarm. But the angel said to … Continue reading →

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Rehearsals, Week One

Posted on 21 September 2011 by

It’s been tremendous fun (and a little stressful) to cast my musical, Tobit: The Path of Virtue. We’ve finished the first full week of rehearsals, and I’ve had a chance to hear the singers learn and sing just about every song. … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture, Tobit, Todd's music | 2 Comments

Litany for Wednesday

Posted on 11 September 2011 by

I thought I’d share a piece composed for a parish liturgy last year. It seems appropriate for Wednesday’s observance. I adapted the melody from an alleluia in BFW for the September 14th feast: Somewhere in my files is Litany I, … Continue reading →

Posted in Liturgy, Todd's music | 5 Comments

Two Psalm Settings

Posted on 11 June 2011 by

Here are two psalm settings that may be of listening interest. My sister requested a recording of the psalm I composed for my brother’s funeral. Her first request was that I get someone to video me playing and singing. That … Continue reading →

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Psalm 36

Posted on 31 May 2011 by

I thought I would share the music for the psalm setting I composed last week. My friends Dave and Cathy Moklebust did a super arrangement for organ and handbells. At the funeral I added hammer dulcimer. Note: the link to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Todd's music | 4 Comments

Lenten Gospel Acclamation

Posted on 13 March 2011 by

I’ve written Lenten Gospel Acclamations over the years. This is the ninth in the series, rendered by some of our parish musicians. What fit the cycle B and C verses pretty well doesn’t fit the “A” set quite as neatly. … Continue reading →

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