Introducing Orchestrations

Hello. I’m Mel Windham, composer and owner of Melkim Publishing, and I would like to introduce you to our new lineup of orchestrations, just now released and ready for your enjoyment.

These are all new arrangements and original compositions written for orchestras of various sizes. And most of these involve choir or solo voice.

We’ll first look at our largest orchestral offering. “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” arranged by me, Mel Windham, and performed by the Ensign Symphony & Chorus in 2023. This setting uses text painting to bring out the lyrics, painting a picture of the pioneers traveling west. It can be performed with or without choir, but be warned — the voices split into 7 parts. As for all our choir pieces, this is also available for piano and voices as well. In another month or so, I’ll release more inside stories on this work.

Our other full orchestral offering is “As God Is, We May Be,” music and lyrics by Daniel Carter, and arranged by Steve Danielson. This was also performed by the Ensign Symphony & Chorus in 2022. This arrangement explores the peace we can all enjoy through God and being more like Him. This choral work splits into 8 parts, and is very beautiful.

Most of our other offerings involve string orchestras. For each of these, you can use one player on each part, or you can use a full string orchestra. What you’re listening to, now, is “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” a setting of the popular hymn by Daniel Carter for string orchestra, harp, and SATB choir, again making use of text painting. This performance you’re hearing was by the Daniel Carter singers.

Up next is “Lead, Kindly Light” for string orchestra, piano, and SATB choir. This is another setting of a popular hymn by a rising composer, Richard Tolbert. For this one, we decided to also offer a version for string trio and also for women’s choir. You can mix and match the choir and accompaniment versions. Also, the choir parts for this selection are entirely free for download.

Before continuing on, let me describe the exciting new dynamic of ordering orchestral music from Melkim Publishing. We understand that performers have different needs. Sometimes people want just the choir music. Sometimes they want just the orchestral parts. Sometimes they want the full score, while others may prefer to direct from the choral score. So, we’ve found a way to provide different options.

Imitating the drop-down menus you may see at Amazon.com, you can order what you need a la cart. Or for the larger works, you can order a Full Package Download at a discount. You can also purchase these items for Print and Ship. And like I’ve said before: I have a printer, and I’m not afraid to use it.

For example, let’s say you want to buy copies of this song you’re listening to now, which is “The Winds of Grace As You Soar,” an original composition by Daniel Carter for string orchestra, piano, and SATB choir. You could order the Download-Full Package. Or, let’s say you want to order the print version for both choir and orchestra, but not the full score — in order to save money. You could then order “Ship-Choral Music,” choose how many copies you’d like to buy, add to cart. And then order “Ship-Parts Only,” choose a quantity of one, and also add that to the cart. Then you will have both items in your cart, and you can have another chance to alter the quantities.

And isn’t this music beautiful? It’s all about blessings of peace and comfort. This performance is by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir.

Up next is “You Complete Me,” a new song, lyrics and words by Diane Galicia, another rising artist. And arranged by me, Mel Windham. This song is all about how Jesus Christ is the key to our happiness and strength. Whenever we have troubles, Jesus is always there to help us out.

If you’d like to hear more of this music, you can peruse all the items I’m introducing today at melkimpublishing.com/orchestral-parts. In the near future, this page will contain new additions as well. So, feel free to check out that link for orchestral parts, where you can listen to whole pieces, and watch videos.

That’s all we have right now for vocal and orchestra, but I still have two more pieces to introduce. What you hear now is a new arrangement for small ensemble — one player per part, and as you can hear, no choir. It’s just a fun setting of the Christmas tune, “Ding Dong Merrily On High” by Richard Tolbert. I played the piano part Christmas of 2023, and it was a lot of fun. The audience really loved it. It’s for flute, clarinet, bassoon, string quartet, and piano.

And last, but not least, I give you an entirely free offering. This is something I wrote in high school, which is featured in our latest album, HOPE. This is my Ballet named “Dancing in New York” for string orchestra and piano. A few people have said how it sounds like New York City — imagine ice-skating in front of Rockefeller Plaza. It’s pretty, and it’s easy-ish. So you can all enjoy it for free.

And there’s more on the way. Over the next year or so, we will release “It Is Well with My Soul”, “One By One”, and even a full mass with orchestra.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this showcase of our newest offerings, and I invite you to check them out. All are free to listen, and if you have an orchestra, consider performing these pieces. They are all fun and unique. So — enjoy! And thank you for watching. Make sure to like and subscribe. Also, sign up for our newsletter — link in the video description. And stayed tuned for more fun in future videos with Melkim Publishing.