These are the first two titles in my piano book, A Nobler, Sweeter Song put out by Majesty Music, 2015.

And Can It Be

There Is A Fountain

Sheet music available at: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/the-power-of-the-cross-oh-to-see-the-dawn-digital-sheet-music/20417723?ac=1&_requestid=3224321

The power of the cross is perhaps one of the greatest hymns written during our lifetime. Few hymns capture the essence of the gospel story so vividly and effectively. The opening two stanzas have a descriptive, dark nature that I wanted to explore in a minor mode. This provides a stark contrast to the hope we find in the chorus and later verses. Instrumental music, when connected to words as Christian music is, must always be motivated by those words and try to paint a picture to the audience what those truths mean to the artist.

Lyrics as they progress in the arrangement:

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day,
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Every bitter thought,
Every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

This, the power of the cross,
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Now the daylight flees
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life,
"Finished!" the victory cry.

This, the power of the cross,
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the power of the cross
Son of God? slain for us
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

© 2005 THANKYOU MUSIC (PRS) Admin. Worldwide at EMICMGPUBLISHING.COM excluding Europe which is Admin. by Kingswaysongs All Rights Reserved Used by Permission Used by Permission of Hal Leonard Corporation

The Power Of The Cross (Oh to See The Dawn)

Sheet music available at: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/tis-so-sweet-to-trust-in-jesus-digital-sheet-music/20417712?ac=1&_requestid=237669

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus is a well loved hymn that expresses simple truths with a simple melody. This harmonically rich setting is perfect for church offertories during ordinary time and general worship. It would also make a stunning addition to a wedding prelude. 

Lyrics as they progress in the arrangement:

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, 
and to take him at his word; 
just to rest upon his promise, 
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord." 

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! 
How I've proved him o'er and o'er! 
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! 
O for grace to trust him more! 

O how sweet to trust in Jesus, 
just to trust his cleansing blood; 
and in simple faith to plunge me 
neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! 
How I've proved him o'er and o'er! 
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! 
O for grace to trust him more! 

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, 
just from sin and self to cease; 
just from Jesus simply taking 
life and rest, and joy and peace.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! 
How I've proved him o'er and o'er! 
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! 
O for grace to trust him more!

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

A new moderately advanced setting for piano of Silent Night, Holy Night. 

Sheet music available at: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/silent-night-holy-night-digital-sheet-music/20655098

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
’round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.�

Silent night! Holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing
“Alleluia” to our King:
“Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.”�

Silent Night, Holy Night

A delicate setting for piano of the classic Appalachian tune, I Wonder as I Wander.
 
Sheet music available at: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/i-wonder-as-i-wander-digital-sheet-music/20655099

I Wonder As I Wander

Of the Father's Love begotten is a well loved tune and has been thoughtfully arranged for piano solo. 

Sheet music available at: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/of-the-father-s-love-begotten-digital-sheet-music/20655097

Of The Father's Love Begotten

This haunting tune tells the awe-inspiring Christmas story of God becoming man. It is perfect for Advent/Christmas concerts, programs, recitals, and offertories. Sheet music available at: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/let-all-mortal-flesh-keep-silence-digital-sheet-music/20655401

The PDF on SMP includes a 5 page accompaniment part as well as individual solo parts for: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb, Alto Sax., Horn in F, Trumpet in Bb, Trombone, Violin, Viola, & Cello. Each part is customized to the unique ranges and abilities of the instrument. No need to print the entire PDF. Simply print the 5 page accompaniment and then print your instruments part. 

Use the lyrics below for media usage:

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture -
in the body and the blood.
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

At His feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord most high!”

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

This arrangement is the winner of Greg Howlett's arranging contest in 2017.
https://greghowlett.com/blog/news/2017-arrangement-contest-winner-brian-buda.aspx

A Shelter In The Time Of Storm

Joy Has Dawned

O Come, All Ye Faithful

I Surrender All

Just As I Am

Have Thine Own Way

I Can Hear The Savior Calling

Nearer, Still Nearer

Nearer, My God, To Thee

Be Still, My Soul

Sheet music of this piece is available at www.hinshawmusic.com

It Is Not Death to Die

Pixar's 'Up' turns 10 this year, and today is Michael Giacchino's birthday! This song is Michael's touching theme from Up combined with another well known tune, piano puzzler style.

Happy birthday to you, Michael! 
...and many more...
...on channel 4!!

Uppy Birthday

This is an arrangement of the well loved hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, for solo Instrument and Piano. It is a beautiful, harmonically lush setting for concerts and recitals, weddings, and offertories. 

Sheet music available at sheetmusicplus.com, select the desired solo instrument below.

Flute: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-flute-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694664?ac=1
Oboe/Soprano Sax: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-oboe-soprano-sax-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694668?ac=1
Clarinet: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-clarinet-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694670?ac=1
Alto Sax: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-alto-sax-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694673?ac=1
Horn in F: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-horn-in-f-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694674?ac=1
Trumpet: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-trumpet-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694675?ac=1
Trombone/Baritone: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-trombone-baritone-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694676?ac=1
Violin: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-violin-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694678?ac=1
Viola: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-viola-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694679?ac=1
Cello: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/great-is-thy-faithfulness-solo-cello-and-piano-digital-sheet-music/21694681?ac=1

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Instrumental Solo

Jesus Christ Is Risen Today is a grand hymn that is often sung during the celebration of Easter. This bright and colorful setting is a perfect addition to a recital or worship service, whether as a prelude, an offertory, or even a postlude.

Link to the sheet music: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/jesus-christ-is-risen-today-piano-duet-digital-sheet-music/21695368?ac=1

Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - Piano Duet

The Holy War is a chamber work that made up the bulk of my graduate composition recital 11 years ago today, March 17, 2009. Written in a cinematic style, this 3 movement work can now be heard in its entirety. I conducted the ensemble and my teacher, Dan Forrest, was the pianist. 

The next few paragraphs are copied directly from the program:

The curtain of John Bunyan’s allegory The Holy War unfolds onto the town of Mansoul, a beautiful and flourishing city. Originally a servant to King Shaddai and his son Emmanuel, she eventually became enslaved to Diabolus, an enemy to the King. Emmanuel then regained the town through an epic battle, and eventually restored her. Diabolus escaped during the battle, however, and attempted yet another siege against the town. Only with the help of Emmanuel did the attack fail, and Diabolus continually seeks to return and destroy the good town of Mansoul.

The musical landscape of The Holy War portrays the main characters in the story. After the introduction, a fugal tour through Mansoul allows us to absorb its intended innocence and beauty. The sinister music of the second movement then portrays Diabolus’s attempt to seduce and destroy the town. Emmanuel’s sweeping theme appears in the first and second movements, as well, but receives its fullest treatment in the third movement, as He wars against Diabolus and eventually triumphs over him. Even at the very end, we are reminded of Diabolus’s continued schemes against Mansoul, but the assurance of Emmanuel’s future ultimate victory.

The Holy War: 3. Emmanuel

The Holy War: 2. Diabolus

The Holy War: 1. Mansoul

Sheet music available: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/speak-o-lord-piano-solo-digital-sheet-music/21795819?ac=1

This is a solo piano hymn arrangement of "Speak, O Lord" by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. It is appropriate in many church settings, including offertories, preludes, and even weddings.

Speak, O Lord - Piano Solo

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-christ-alone-piano-solo-digital-sheet-music/21795795?ac=1

This solo piano hymn arrangement is a fresh and exciting interpretation that will be a joy for the pianist as well as the listeners. The 1st verse begins quietly and simplistic but then explodes with rhythmic energy in the 2nd verse. Some practice may be necessary but once the first couple bars of the 2nd verse are mastered, the rest of the arrangement becomes more accessible.

In Christ Alone - Piano Solo

Sheet music available: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/infant-holy-infant-lowly-piano-solo-digital-sheet-music/21901596?ac=1

Infant holy, infant lowly, 
for his bed a cattle stall; 
oxen lowing, little knowing 
Christ the babe is Lord of all. 
Swift are winging angels singing, 
noels ringing, tidings bringing: 
Christ the babe is Lord of all. 2x

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping 
vigil 'til the morning new 
saw the glory, heard the story, 
tidings of a gospel true. 
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, 
praises voicing, greet the morrow: 
Christ the babe was born for you. 2x

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly ~ Piano Solo

This is an 'advanced' arrangement of Wexford Carol, arranged by Brian Buda, and is full of lush harmonies and imitative countermelodies making it a great choice to play in Christmas concerts and churches.

Although this recording features the Alto Saxophone, it is suited well for various other instruments, such as trumpet, violin, and many more.

This final verse of the carol is part of what makes it so powerful:
With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

Brian Buda

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