The Challenge of Arranging Music

A friend sent me an Email to say, “Take a moment to listen to "Beulah Land" because it should sound nice on the pipes.”  I found a video on the web with two couples singing "Beulah Land,” an arrangement from a hymnbook.  I found the printed music for it in "Hymns of Glorious Praise," a hymnbook by Gospel Publishing House.

I've arranged many hymns from this book.  From my old pencil jottings on the pages, I observed that I considered “Beulah Land” at one time, to see how it would sound on the pipes.  It appears that I set this hymn aside to be worked on at another time.  The reason seems obvious; its range was extensive and it had to be compacted, which wasn't out of the question; just that more time was needed to arrange this hymn than other hymns.  It looked quite adaptable and I’m sure now, that it can be done, because I just completed it, motivated by knowing it's a hymn my friend is dying to play.  I was thinking I should arrange it because he needed it, and of course, because it would be challenging, and also that others might enjoy it too, by playing or listening to it being played.

It’s amusing, that years ago, when I had transposed one hundred hymns for the bagpipes, I decided that would be enough.  Nevertheless, I continued to arrange music for the bagpipes, because my desire was insatiable and I was often preparing to play for church worship services or other engagements.  I'd hear another beautiful hymn, just like my friend heard this one, and I'd wonder, "How would that hymn sound on the bagpipes?"  Now, I hear other pipers playing, "Be Thou My Vision," "I'd Rather Have Jesus Than Anything," and "The Rifted Rock."  I know these hymns are the result of my insatiable habit of not wanting to let any great hymn be left unarranged for the bagpipes and my desire to publish my arrangements in a series of bagpipe music books called, “The Church Piper,” for the convenience of other pipers.  I wanted pipers and others to enjoy hearing and loving them just as they loved "Amazing Grace" when it was introduced in the '70's and played for years afterwards.  To have many wonderful hymns available for the bagpipes enables them to stay fresh and beloved so people won't get tired of hearing them.  That's why I wanted to arrange "Buelah Land" for my friend.  I wish I had arranged it earlier.  I'll share it with him when it's neatly written.

It will be a while before my next book is published, though I actually have a sufficient number of pieces to do so.  It may be, “Aspiring Hymns,” with the theme of aspiring to develop one’s character to be more like that of Jesus, or “Worshipful Hymns,” to suit the commencement of worship services by the piper.  Presently, I must concentrate on distributing my newest Church Piper music book.  This month, the fifteenth volume in this series was published and it has been welcomed exceptionally well.  It’s title is, “Patriotic Music & Familiar Folk Songs.”  Short notes from pipers encourage me to continue to arrange and publish music for the pipes.  One piper said, “Your admonition to use our God given talents for the work of the Lord is very important to me,” while another wrote, “Thank you for a great ministry and labour of love.”

My latest book of music arranged for the bagpipes, “Patriotic Music and Familiar Folk Songs,” also contains several beautiful hymns.  Other books in this series are based on themes such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorials, Weddings, Scottish Music, Gardening, Sailing, Friends & Neighbours and Sojourning, to name a few.  They are all for the convenience of pipers who need a ready source of music suitable for their engagements.

A New Music Book

“Patriotic Music and Familiar Folk Songs,” volume 15, is the latest in The Church Piper series of music books.  Subtle improvements such as illustrations on most pages bring it to life.  The music will appeal to expert pipers needing a ready source of music to play for many different occasions, as well to less experienced pipers who would enjoy the music that’s more familiar to them.  Whether for a military ceremonial, church, or a social gathering, there is suitable music.

Many having the entire collection have been anxious to add this compendium of favorites to their music library and have found it convenient to request their acquisition from the compiler and arranger, Dr. Keith MacDonald or from their favorite Scottish shop.

These are songs that originated in wartime or that resulted from the love of home, fond memories, romance, and the worship of God.  Arranged for the Scottish bapipes, they will stir a person’s heart and soul to feel pride in one’s country, causing a person to appreciate God’s gift of life and love, and to be thankful to God for all His kindness, all of which is so undeserving.”

It is good to meet other pipers by Email as they order their copy.  Most interesting was a conversation with George Balderose in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the principal of The Balmoral College of Piping and Drumming.  He has an invitation to play at the entrance to his Presbyterian Church every Sunday morning for a period of time while the people arrive. That requires a large repertoire, and the good fortunate to have weather conducive to playing the pipes.  He has a considerable collection of hymns and we agreed to exchange his volume for my latest one.  His is called, “The Balmoral Collection of Hymns.”  I complimented him for suggesting the transaction, and we both knew we had made a good deal.  We have the same ambition; to make familiar music available to pipers so they won’t have to be concerned about transposing and arranging when their time is limited.  We hope to assist pipers to feel comfortable playing solo, whether for church, military ceremonials or social occasions.  All require preparedness and the availability of suitable music.

A Part of the Family

It's obvious that a family pet grows into the lives of the family like it was a person, and it's a sad experience when their dog, cat, bird, or whatever animal they've adopted into their family dies.  I was told of a family that was expecting the death of their dog, which had been suffering from cancer.  I can imagine this mother and dad along with their six-year old son, gathered together at home with their dying dog and the veterinarian, who was there to make the parting easier.

One must admire the lad for his wisdom, that parting with their dog was part of living and dying.  For him to have the answer to God's plan helped the situation immeasurably.  He volunteered that dogs don't live as long as people live, because it doesn’t take them as long to learn how to love and be nice.

We recently observed that characteristic in the personality of Bristol, a Golden Retriever, which is the pet of our daughter, Janine and her family.  From the day she brought her home as a puppy, Bristol was loving and nice.  Now, she's full-grown and just as nice as she was then.  When Janine drives to our place, and is about a block or so away, Bristol is already whining because she recognizes where she is going.  She knows she will soon be petted and loved by Ruby and by me. When she enters the door, she goes down on the floor wiggling and crying with happiness.  She wants to be petted and have her belly rubbed.  No one in our family is so affectionate as Bristol.  We hide our feelings, but she doesn't.  It must be wonderful to be loved and to give that much love.

We naturally love our pet when it exhibits so much love.  We can all learn a lesson from our pets and from Bristol, and be able to reveal our love to those we truly love.  Pets display their affection in different ways.  Some are like Bristol, while others will jump all over you, but that's because they lack training.  They must be taught early in their lives because they don't live as long as we do.  Love your pet and overlook the work it causes.  Your dog loves you so much and in turn you will make life comfortable for your pet.

We used to have a pet.  Her name was Peach, and our kids loved her.  That little collie missed them too, when they were away from home attending university.  When Earl returned at Christmas and was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, Peach crawled a short distance, then a little farther, until she had her nose in his lap.  He was overcome with emotion.  Peach didn't make a sound.  Coming over to him and putting her muzzle in his lap assured him that she loved him and was happy that he was home.

The story of the young lad knowing why pets don’t live as long as people, reminded me of our pet, Peach, and how much she loved our kids.  She must have missed them considerably when they were away to college, because she surely loved having them return.

Talent Night Was Exciting

I want to tell you about the success of our small venture on Saturday night at White Rock Baptist Church.  It was a real success socially as well as financially.  The venture made over 600 dollars. There were about 150 people at our Talent Night, and many graciously contributed to our youth program, knowing it would provide for bus trips and skiing expeditions.

With the pipes, I opened the program playing "Highland Cathedral" and everyone’s favorite hymn, "And Can It Be."  In fact, everyone was singing.  That was indeed thrilling and they were calling for more.  We followed immediately with the Highland Fling, which Ruby, my wife and Julia, our granddaughter danced to my accompaniment.  Those who organized the program said we got it off to the right start.

Many individuals performed, either singing, playing the mouth organ, or the piano, or by doing acrobatics or reciting.  Some displayed their paintings, their framed paper tole, photography or knitted shawls.  I showed the Church Piper music books that I had published over the years.  We enjoyed some nice desserts at half-time, and everyone was in great spirits.  I'm sure we’ll have the event again next year and new talents will be presented such as a magic act, maybe some furniture and more instrumentals by both young and older people. It was a pleasure to play because the pipes responded like an extension of my own breathing.  Pipers know the excellent feeling of having their pipes respond to the expression intended.  It's great.  People loved seeing the Highland dancers, especially when they knew they were a grandmother/granddaughter team.

I would like very much to suggest an evening like this one that we experienced.  Many displayed the activities that give them a pride in accomplishment and in showing the things that interest others, that cause them to ask how they’re done.  They want to talk about the hobbies that caught their attention.  For each of us, it was an opportunity to demonstrate our skills for the appreciation of our friends.  Even more especially, it afforded a way in which people could get to know one another better.  I hope other churches will plan an event like this every year.

Christianity's Most Important Symbol

The cross is Christianity’s most important symbol.  There is nothing pretty about it, for it was meant in Jesus’day to be a brutal method of punishment and a deterrent to anyone who rebelled against the Roman Empire.  It was a lesson to anyone to show what would happen to him or her after rebelling against the government.  Scripture gives the message of the cross.  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1Cor:18)  

Christians gave the cross a different significance than the Romans had.  To them, there was power in the cross.  They understood that God had chosen it as one of the “foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things -and the things that are not -to nullify the things that are, so that noone may boast before him.”

(1Cor.1:27-29) 

The message of the cross is to cause us to understand that out of the outflow of God’s love for mankind He gave us “the cross.”  God established a process by which He took up residence with us.  He took upon Himself the nature of man.  It was decisive for each of us and for the entire universe that the cross would be the basis by which people can be reconciled to God.  The cross was the means by which a ransom or a price could be paid by God on behalf of any individual for the sinfulness of mankind.  Because God is of infinite character, the debt incurred to God by our sin was correspondingly infinite.  By our sin we rebelled against God who Himself is of infinite nature.  The debt was too great for mankind to repay and only God could repay it.  All explanations are inadequate.  Any image that we may use to describe the repayment of our debt to God is not an alternative, but is complimentary, with each adding a part to the explanation.  What happened on the cross is the most important thing that happened in all of history.  God, because of His great love for us, gave His life on the cruel cross to pay mankind’s sinfulness towards Him.

The word “foolishness” was derived from the original word that means “moron,” and it also means, “no sense,” and “moronic.”  Scripture is saying that this is what the Gospel is like to those who are perishing.  They just don’t understand that the cross represents God’s outpouring love which makes it possible for anyone to ask forgiveness for transgressions and be assured of it when he or she should ask in sincerity.

Jews demand “signs” to prove God’s presence and intervention.  Nicodemus, a Jew, began his dialogue with Jesus by saying no one could perform the signs that Christ had shown except if He was of God.  Still, he wanted another sign.  

Why was the cross still offensive to the Jews?  A Crucified Messiah is whom they didn’t want; not a Messiah who would die on the cross.  They had different specifications: a Deliverer, and a King, but not a prophet who was calling people to personal righteousness.  They considered that a sinful person could only be considered as an offender, one who required the most brutal punishment, and be so gravely treated, as to be hung on the cross.  

For the Greeks, they preferred wisdom, and they chose to make their own decision about who God should be.  For them, the message about a God who had to suffer pain had to be foolishness.

Why did God choose this method of reconciliation?  It was so God could reveal to us what He is like.  The Christian believer’s all-wise God did an act of inestimable cost to Himself.  God who created the universe, who is all-powerful and who has the intricacy of mind that expresses utmost wisdom, is glorious on the cross where we see His greatness, His power and infinite love.  On the cross, God is glorious because He paid our penalty for sinfulness, allowing us to go free.

Our problem is pride, wherein we could think that personal heroic deeds would pay for our sinfulness.  The depth of our need was revealed on the cross.  Punishment for our infinite sin required nothing less than the cross, with our infinite God paying for infinite sin.  Infinite sin is of man sinning against God.  The ground is level at the foot of the cross.  Anyone, even the vilest sinner can come to ask forgiveness.  One sin is equal to another as it relates to the purity of God, so God chose “the lowly things” to remove the pride of the individual.  Everyone is welcome to ask forgiveness at the cross when the request is asked with sincerity.  Because of the cross, forgiveness and righteousness, (which is a right relationship with God, are both gifts from God that are certain and allow for a completely new beginning. 

No Obligation

Years ago, Martin Luther, 1483-1546, decided to correct the beliefs that people had about their salvation.  He said people believed that Jesus was simply half of the equation while the other half was “works.”  Later, he presented a “novel doctrine,” which was “salvation is by faith only,” and he lectured on it in languages such as Romans and Hebrews.

He preached, “the just shall live by faith,”(He.10: 38) for God provided all we need for our salvation and we can’t add anything to our simple trust.  “Just” may be translated as ‘righteous’ or ‘forgiven.’  At first, it seemed extreme that God paid it all.  Questions arose, “What about love, self control, kindness, humility and compassion?  Wouldn’t it mean everything is okay when you possess all those good qualities and you also believe Scripture doesn’t tell us we can do what we want and still believe in God?  Would that not be okay?”  You might say you’ve satisfied the criteria if you believe in God.  Don’t overlook the fact that the devil believes in God, but it hasn’t changed him one iota.

We won’t agree with all of Luther’s 95 theses, but there are some with which we will agree.  One is certainly faith, which he accented, as the need to believe in John 3:16, which is, “for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  We will also agree with the statement he pointed out from Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.” Where the Scripture in Romans 1:17 says, “The just shall live by faith” it seems to say, that’s all that’s needed for one’s salvation

Many Christians have not grasped the truth, that half the formula for God’s forgiveness is not deeds.  The reason for this is that Jesus paid completely for our sins and by His personal sacrifice, our sins were forgiven.  If our works promised our salvation, we would have the tendency to boast, which is senseless, for we can never outdo God!
For ever so long, people believed there were rules by which one had to abide, besides believing that Jesus gave His life.  For them, they believed one had to be circumcised and also obey time-honored laws, which meant that they had to be Jewish.  Paul was explaining to those people that they were turning to a different Gospel, which wasn’t a variation of the Gospel, but that it was no Gospel at all.  The essentiality of what he was saying is, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (Galatians 1:3)
 
Paul taught that Jesus is God’s only Son and that He humbled Himself, though He was God, to suffer in your place, and now you have to believe.  And, since God did all this, it is all you need to believe.  It is simply by believing all that you have heard that you are forgiven of your sins.  He added for comparison, if forgiveness is completely by the law, you must keep every last detail, because not one of us has kept the 10 commandments in its entirety.  Jesus became the curse (sin) for us so we can become free from the curse.  That means that Jesus took our sins upon Himself, and paid our penalty to God.  Nothing shall enter Heaven by which it would be defiled.  That is what Paul explained; that salvation has to be entirely by faith.  He was in effect, saying, ‘How can you be thinking you can add something to what God has done?  You are establishing your own criteria and tend to emphasize those criteria more that which God has done, and you are also saying, “You must do this and not that!”’

The reason God did not accept Cain’s offering, while he did accept that of his brother Able, is that Cain was practicing his own religion while his brother Able was giving of himself to God.  This is the real reason why God did not accept Cain’s offering.  It is not that his was the offering of a blood sacrifice, where the Scripture says, it is only by blood we are saved, but he offered what God expected and didn’t substitute something else.  We can only entrust ourselves to God and in that respect, salvation is only by faith.

Martin Luther said, “We are saved by faith alone,” but we realize that the faith that saves is never alone.  Actually, one who has faith in Christ’s sacrifice, carries that thought around constantly and is ever willing to do some act of kindness for others, simply from being thankful; not for personal gain.

Preparing for an Engagement

A piper friend, Pastor Michael McNiel in Washington, who is a member of our International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers, wrote asking for suggestions on what pieces of music he might choose for a memorial service. Because he wanted a hymn to glorify God, I suggested, "To God Be the Glory."  It is one of my favorites; one I learned when I began building a hymn repertoire.  I included it in the medley, "I Sing The Mighty Power of God," "To God Be The Glory," and "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise."  Having learned these hymns as a medley, each reminds me of the others.

I have many favorites and to name them, it would have to be according to the occasion, such as for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Weddings, Funerals, Banquets and for a certain topic in the worship service, such as going out into the world to preach the Gospel.  Then, I'd play, "I Love To Tell the Story of Jesus and His Love," or “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.”  “How Deep the Father’s Love for us” in 6/4 time is a special favorite. 

Even after I delineate my favorite hymns, there will still be a whole list of other hymns that I should have added.  But, besides those I've mentioned, I surely love the Easter hymns, such as, "Were You There?" and "Jesus Paid It All," along with, "My Jesus, I Love Thee," and of course, "The Old Rugged Cross."  After people hear those hymns, everything will be quiet.  "And Can It Be," and "One Day" are special to me, and if I were playing for a funeral service, I'd surely play, "I Stand Amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene," and "Face to Face With Jesus." For a High School girl who sadly lost her life because of a shooting in school, I chose “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”  I could be inclined to play, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and if it were a nice day in the cemetery, I'd want to play, "When They Ring Those Golden Bells for You and Me!"  One can imagine hearing the bells!  For sure, I love to play, "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again," "God Will Take Care of You," and " Precious Lord, Take My Hand."  I was thrilled to hear a piper playing one of my arrangements at a funeral.  It was recorded on a video and I was asked to watch it on the net.  It was, “I’d Rather Have Jesus Than Anything.”  

I love the hymn, "The Stranger of Galilee," especially as it is played together with, "No one Ever Cared for Me like Jesus."  That reminds me of another favorite hymn that I first heard as I sat outside the banquet hall waiting for Ruby, my wife, who was the guest speaker at a Christian Women's Club.  The guest soloist sang, "The Woman at the Well."  As soon as I could find a hymnbook containing that hymn, I arranged it for the next time I would be playing in church.  

Even now, as I write, I am reminded of another beautiful hymn, one of my favorites of course, and it is, "In the Garden," and I've played it for several funeral services.  I would choose it for the funeral of a woman, because the soloist at Ruby's mother's funeral sang “In the Garden.”  Later, a soloist sang it at my own mother's memorial service.

As I tell you of my favorite hymns, I would not want to forget, "Trumpet Tune," by Henry Purcell, for which I was complimented at a wedding, when a trumpet player said, "If you continue to play hymns like that, you'll put us trumpet players out of business."  “All six parts of “The Highland Wedding March" are great for playing the bride into the church.  To my list, I could add, "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” by Franz Joseph Haydn.  It’s called Austrian Hymn, which goes by many other titles such as, “Hail the Glorious Golden City,” “Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him,” and “In Thanksgiving Let Us Praise Him.”  It is Austria’s National Anthem.  Then, the tune is known as, “God, Preserve our Noble Emperor.”  It’s very stately.  

If I were to choose one hymn that's really majestic, it would be "Highland Cathedral."  It's not in the hymnbooks, but it is beautiful, especially in a big, acoustically perfect church such as our White Rock Baptist Church.  It just rises to the skies. You will find it in “Songs of Scotland,” Volume 12(a)of The Church Piper.  The hymn, “See What a Morning” by Keith Getty is likewise stimulating.  “The Flower of Scotland” is also a proud song when played according to its original setting.  It can be found in “More Songs of Scotland,” Volume 12(b) of The Church Piper.  Some have rearranged it but without giving it the necessary feel.  It requires the first three notes as the introduction and throughout, a grouping of three notes that cause one to hear those three introductory notes on the right foot with stresses on the left.  This is considered one of Scotland’s National Anthems and it commands national pride, the same as “Highland Cathedral.”   

You can see that I love the hymns, just as I'm sure you do.  One reminds me of another, and they are chosen according to the occasion.  I want to wish you wonderful satisfaction, when you play for a memorial service or for any other special occasion.  If you have to transpose and arrange a piece before you have thoroughly committed it to memory, don't be afraid to use a music stand or hang the music on a wall.  I did, on the day I played, "Londonderry Air" (Danny Boy) for the first time.  I had only been asked a day before if I would play that song and I had to arrange it.  I mentioned to the funeral director, that "Sometimes you fellows don't give a guy much notice."  He replied rather stiffly, saying, "We don't get much notice either." 

A last thought is to tell how a certain hymn came about to be a favorite.  It is, "I Am Trusting.”  Four men at the funeral service of a friend’s father sang it in harmony.  I hadn’t heard it before, but because it was so touching, I told my friend that I'd like to arrange it for the pipes.  He actually found a tattered and torn hymnbook for me from the archives of that country church and endeared himself even more by presenting it to me.  Being tattered, made it more precious.

Don't overlook two beautiful hymns, one of which you might select.  They are, "Abide With Me," and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye."

I will write other comments about my favorite compositions in a separate note.  With this one, you might get the inspiration you need for your next service.