Are you celebrating Church History this year while reading the Doctrine & Covenants? Or did you miss celebrating last year’s 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision? Melkim Publishing provides several relevant selections in our Latter-day Saint Favorites collection. Check out our choral works, cantatas, vocal solos, and instrumental solos by Daniel Carter, Paul E. Anderson, Geoff Groberg, Mel Windham, and other artists, which celebrate Joseph Smith and related Latter-day Saint favorite hymns.
Melkim Publishing also provides special bulk pricing for those who choose to download and print. Our Small Choir ($30) and Large Choir ($50) options allows you to pay $1 or less per copy.
Samples and previews are available for each piece at each of the links below.
Free Stuffs
The following pieces are available for free download:
- “To Those with Pure Intent” (Hymn for SATB) by Daniel Carter.
- “Come, Come, Ye Saints” (Advanced Piano solo) by Mel Windham — available for free through 12/31/2021.
- “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” (SATB, piano) by Mel Windham.
Pieces Commemorating Joseph Smith and the First Vision
“A Dawning Light” — a cantata for SATB choir, solos, piano/organ and narration — by Daniel Carter. This cantata celebrates the First Vision and Joseph Smith’s accomplishments in six new original songs. With narration, runtime is from 20 to 25 minutes, which could fit in a sacrament meeting and leave enough time for closing remarks. Click here for full details and learn about the different buying options to meet your needs and save money. Includes the following songs:
- A Dawning Light
- If Any of You Lack Wisdom
- The Light of Love
- To Those with Pure Intent
- The Priesthood Now Is Restored
- Love and Hope That Heal (check out the new choral arrangement)
“Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (choir)” — a mini-cantata for SATB choir, solos, congregation, and piano/organ — by Daniel Carter. This mini-cantata presents a different musical setting for each verse and features solos for male voice and soprano. The congregation joins in for the last verse. It is also short enough to fit in the usual special musical slot of sacrament meeting.
“Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (piano)” — an advanced piano solo — by Mel Windham. This solo captures the First Vision with text painting and new treatments of the popular hymn tune.
Other Latter-day Saint Favorites
The following favorite pieces about the early days of the Church, its heritage, and favorite hymns can also enhance commemoration celebrations.
“Come, Come, Ye Saints (choir)” — a moderately challenging and emotional setting for SSAATBB and piano — by Mel Windham.
“Come Ye Children of the Lord” — a simple arrangement for SATB, also featuring the tune of “Now We’ll Sing with One Accord” for the middle verse — by Geoff Groberg and Mel Windham.
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives” — a solo arrangement for soprano and piano — by Paul E. Anderson. This beautiful arrangement brings a soft spirit to any meeting.
“God Be With You Medley” — for violin and piano — by Catherine Moss and Mel Windham. Includes “Lead Kindly Light,” “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” and “God Be With You.”
“Thanks To the Primary Worker” — for primary and piano — by Eugene Bowes and Mel Windham.
Several other pieces will be also be released throughout 2021, including collections of hymns — some of which were submitted to the Church for possible inclusion in the next hymnal. You may subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest developments.
We hope that you will enjoy the pieces above and that some of them will find place in your Church History commemoration activities.