For years now every Christmas I consider writing an arrangement of Angels We Have Heard on High for violin and piano. But then New Years rolls around and it remains nothing more than a fleeting thought. I think I’ve always shied away from the challenge because the hymn is so perfect just as it is with those beautiful floating harmonies with angels singing “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” announcing Christ’s birth to the shepherds.
Well, I guess this year is different. I mustered up the courage and went for it. I even had the audacity to mesh it with Bach’s masterpiece ‘Air on the G String.’ I must be crazy. (Goes without saying)
This piece was written for my niece, Emma Womack. She and I go way back — 17 years to be exact. We’ve shared some great times . . . park sessions, hiking, jamming to Rock Band video games, and the infamous beach house water balloon fight--proving once and for all that women reign supreme. Everything from soccer to snorkeling and always made better when followed up with string cheese and Spaghettios.
Making the music video was a blast. Thank you Emma again and again. Gracias sound man, Chuck. Also a huge thanks goes to the combined genius of Jesse and Mitch for filming and producing the video and to all those who braved the freezing temperatures in order to make it happen over Thanksgiving break when we all converged for a few short days.
Emma picked up a viola at age 10 and hasn’t looked back. The sky is the limit for this niece of mine. Go Emma, Go!!
Love this my friend! I would love to transpose for cello as well. Hope you don't mind if I do that. Miss you sista!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. Is it possible to just record the piano so that a student trying to learn the violin could play along with the accompaniment and not the accompaniment AND the violin?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. Yes, I do have an mp3 of the piano only. If you send me your email I will forward it on to you.
DeleteI'D also like to have the piano part, my daughter is a violin student and would love to play this in church, but person who accompany wont be there. Can you please it?
ReplyDeleteI would be glad to email the mp3 to you. What's your email address?
DeleteHey Sis. Hutchings! Would you be able to send me the accompaniment track please? I would like to use it for a Christmas performance for our church! Thanks! My email would be yeapdick[at]gmail . com. Had to type it that way to prevent spam mails.
ReplyDeleteI just emailed you the mp3. Good luck on your performance!
DeleteIs it possible to get the mp3? I have someone wanting to play it who’s been practicing, but I don’t have the time or talent to learn the music in a day. I know this is super last minute. Thank you! marisakobza@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSure. If you give me your email address I can send it on tonight.
DeleteHi! By any chance, would you be willing to share the raw file, especially if it was made with MuseScore? I love this arrangement but my piano skills are a little lacking for accompanying my student on this, so I was hoping to simplify some of the piano part, if you don't mind. I wouldn't publish it or claim it as my own, obviously.
ReplyDeleteHi Mallory,
DeleteI would be happy to share the file, but the program I use is a bit old so I’m not sure it would help. I have been using Music Time Deluxe forever. I know all the shortcuts so I just keep plugging away with it. Let me know your email address if you think it would be helpful and I will send it on. I’ve actually been out of town for a few days but I’ll be back early next week.
Terri