There's something so simple, yet so deep about the opening line of "Because I Have Been Given Much."

It's that same feeling you get when you arrive at the end of one of my favorite books, "The Giving Tree."

Becasue I have been given much,I too must give.

The reciprocal art of gratitude.

And there's some sort of magic that happens when the realization dawns on you just how grateful you are for something. At least, that's been my experience.

Often it requires the loss, potential loss, or near loss of something to spark that feeling.

I've found that some certain musical expressions do it PERFECTLY. They conjure all those exact same feelings for me that otherwise require some sort of "event" or "occurrence" to trigger. Maybe because I'm just that hard-headed...

The art song "Morgen" by Richard Strauss is the perfect example of music that triggers these feelings in me.

Which is why, when the thought of composing an arrangement of "Because I Have Been Given Much," I could not escape Strauss's beautiful "Morgen."

And so, as I often like to do with my hymn arrangements, I borrowed freely from Strauss and tried to create an alchemy in music that would blend the melody and words of the hymn with Strauss's masterful, careful, calming sunrise in C-major.

Not the bombastic C-major of his "other" sunrise in the famous Also Sprach Zarathustra. This is the complete opposite of that bombastic, majestic opener.

Because I personally have been given so much, I feel the need to give.

Which is why I'm excited to be giving away this arrangement for free.

I'd love to get it into as many hands and voices and ears as possible. But I could use some help to do that.

Would you mind helping me?

I've started a fun little competition this week in an effort to share this free arrangement.

The competition ends this Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 6 p.m. mountain time. And here's how it words...

First, you'll need to click the link below...

https://kingsumo.com/g/pjgpa1/win-a-free-hymn-arrangement-composed-for-you-by-me/m5qr9dx?

Second, click on the "Download Because I Have Been Given Much" link. This will take you to a page on my website where you can download your FREE copy. And it comes in 2 versions, high voice, and low voice.

Third, share the same link and same instructions above with any of your friends or family members who you think might enjoy singing, playing, or hearing this piece in Sacrament meeting.

For every person you get to download the free arrangement, you'll get 10 points towards the competition prizes. And here is what the 3 winners will get...

3rd place: I'll send you a PDF of my arrangement of "Jesus Savior, Pilot Me" for ward choir with a license to print as many copies as you like.

2nd place: I'll send you a PDF of 2 arrangements, "Jesus Savior, Pilot Me" and "Abide With Me" for ward choir, with a license to print as many copies as you like.

1st place: I'll send you PDF copies of the 2 arrangements mentioned above PLUS... I'll write you a BRAND NEW arrangement of a hymn of YOUR CHOICE for use in Sacrament Meeting. We'll have a phone call, we'll discuss your needs, whether you want a piece for choir or solo voice or violin or whatever, and I'll write it for you... for FREE!

And you can get that... plus a license to print as many copies as you want... for FREE! All you have to do is help me spread my FREE arrangement of "Because I Have Been Given Much".

Since I usually charge $2,000 for a hymn arrangement for choir... this is a fun and valuable 1st prize.

I'd really love your help.

Thanks a bunch!

One more time, here's the link...

https://kingsumo.com/g/pjgpa1/win-a-free-hymn-arrangement-composed-for-you-by-me/m5qr9dx?

I hope you have a great day! And try to take a minute to think and remember how grateful you are for the many "givings" you've experienced from the Lord.

Best,

Doug