SKU: A0.1044425

I wrote this reconciliation hymn back in 2016, when elders from the Blood Tribe, Metis, Piikani, and Siksika nations of Southern Alberta led the Reconciliation Week events at Medicine Hat College, in Medicine Hat, Alberta. They invited me to write and teach this hymn as part of the sessions at MHC, where I was (then) the ecumenical Chaplain. It has been an honour to participate in this annual tradition of indigenous leaders sharing their distinctive cultural practices, traditions, and values with the public in Medicine Hat (and the surrounding communities) for a decade, now. During the session I was asked to assist with, the Elders were sharing the Seven Grandfathers' Teachings, and so I included these core values into the lyrics of the hymn. The work in Medicine Hat started with expressions of lament and support from a group of local churches and the Medicine Hat College Chaplaincy program while the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was crossing the country. We quickly realized that many non-indigenous Canadians genuinely wanted to learn more about their First Nations, Metis, and Inuit neighbours. Seeing an urgent need for greater awareness about the intergenerational damage that was done by the Indian Residential School system here in Canada, and also identifying these Reconciliation events as a way to decrease racist stereotypes and assumptions about indigenous peoples, we decided to continue offering an annual reconciliation session, which grew, year by year. A decade later, I'm delighted to have seen deeper, healthier relationships being built between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Musically, this hymn loosely imitates the style of the French Canadian Voyageurs, the folk melodies of the 18th and 19th centuries. The lyrics incorporate the Seven Grandfathers' Teachings. This core ethical framework has many different versions, but many First Nations communities have adopted these teachings in some form. (I've heard Elders say that Respect must come first, because it is the foundation that we build on, but for this particular group at Medicine Hat College, Humility was first on the list). I have Metis ancestry myself, and as an adult, I have researched the long-hidden genealogical and cultural treasures of my family tree. Whether you are an indigenous person looking to support other indigenous Christian composers, or whether you are a non-indigenous person who is trying to broaden the repertoire of your congregation, We Must Learn to Walk Together is an upbeat, hope-filled hymn that sings about reconciliation as if it is not only possible in the distant future - but also achievable today, using the concrete steps suggested by the lyrics. The indigenous wisdom of the Seven Grandfathers' Teachings lines up beautifully with the teachings of Christ. Musically, this hymn is highly accessible for congregational singing; the range is moderate and the rhythms provide musical interest without becoming overly complex; to hear the guitar version and melody line of the hymn being played and sung by the composer, please go to the following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/3DpkFCLxgEs. The musical format of the hymn alternates between the chorus and three verses. The piece takes roughly 3:30 to perform. This hymn has been transcribed in the key of C Major, so it is as easy as possible for church accompanists to play and for congregations to sing; guitarists are invited to play in the key of A Major and simply capo 3. Guitar chords are included. I hope and pray that this hymn for reconciliation will help you, your congregation, and the wider community to think about, pray for, and enact the calls to action of the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission in new and deeper ways this year.

SKU: A0.1284659

PIANO VOCAL SCORE.  This four act contemporary opera, original libretto and music, by 21st century American composer James Nathaniel Holland is the story of the triumph of Love over Evil, however delayed, and the power of keeping steadfast to one’s righteous promise.  

Based on the German fairy tale The Six Swans, in a kingdom, during Saxon times, the murderous daughter of an evil entity, Ravia, infiltrates and takes over the lives of a royal family due to the King’s rash promise to marry her many years before. 

The royal children are sent away by their father for safety to a hidden, woodland cottage, but Ravia discovers where they are and hexes the younger siblings, turning them into swallows.  Usha, the eldest, escapes and flees to the wilderness and is visited by the apparition of her dead mother who explains what is going on and that Usha must swear an oath of silence for six years to break the spell and change her siblings back into human form.

Five years pass and a dashing and kind king, Rohric, of another kingdom, finds Usha while hunting, falls in love with and marries her, but Usha must remain silent and cannot reveal who she is.  Ravia, who now is sole queen of the old kingdom, is invited by Rohric’s nobles with hope to secure a “proper� wedding for Rohric.  Usha is accused falsely of killing her own child by the two and is sentenced to be burned at the stake, but as the bell tolls she finally can declare her innocence.  To the crowd’s amazement her siblings change back, all truth is revealed, and for Ravia’s failure, she is dragged back to hell by demons.  

Singers:  King Alfred (bass), Ravia (soprano), Princess Usha (mezzo), Queen Mother Arna (soprano), the royal siblings (children’s/boy’s chorus), King Rohric (Tenor), The Evil Noble (baritone), An angel/a demon (bass), SATB Chorus

Scored for full orchestra.  Instrumentation:  picc/treble recorder, fl12, ob12, eh, cl12, bsn12, hrn 123, tpt123, trom12, tba, timp, perc.12 (bd, crash cym, ride cym with soft mallets and stick, glk, chimes, snar, tri), hrp, strings

Duration:  2 hours
Full Orchestral Score (concert pitch), Piano Vocal Score and Instruments Parts 1 (woodwinds, brass, perc.) and Parts 2 (harp and strings) sold separately.

SKU: A0.1161428

A lively song to an Afrobeat rhythm created and produced by Jaja Wray depicting the journey of a shy shark called Shola from a solitary life to having a family. This is the companion song to the book of the samwe title to be published later this year.  Suitable for Early Years and lower Key Stage 1, children get a chance to practise the digraph 'sh' which features in this song and in the story.

SKU: A0.486732

The Twelve Months of the Year, a beautiful song written by music teacher and composer Cathy Harrison (ASCAP) who is based in Corpus Christi, Texas, assists in teaching the calendar skill of the twelve months of the year. Your students will LOVE The Twelve Months of the Year! Purchase your sheet music today! Pass the word to your colleagues, family, and friends! Enjoy!