This is a short cinematic soundtrack for Strings, Celesta, Piano, Harp, Oboe and Flute. The work is a lullaby/waltz with a simple theme, modulating several times, with a soaring melody and beautiful orchestration. It was my intent on writing this for dear friends in their adoption, for the celebration of that day when their child is officially received into a family, where love abounds. This “embrace” is meant to paint the exchange of giving and receiving by those held in it, surrounded in joy and happiness, …all the good things of Jehovah God. Blessings to my friends in this new journey. I hope that others will find this work to be a perfect soundtrack when recalling and experiencing joyful moments in your lives.

Embraced By Love

Abound In You is a work scored for SATB or TTBB a Cappella chorus.  The text is by Deseridius Erasmus, a Dutch theologian from the 15th century.  The text can be interpreted a number of ways, but this perspective is more prayerful.  The work is best performed is a lively acoustic setting to maximize the lush choral texture that accentuates the text.  Contact me at crickb88@cox.net if you are interested in obtaining copies or performing this work.   This recording was by the William Baker Chorale at the Piccolo Spoleto festival in Charleston, SC.

Abound In You - SATB a Cappella (also for TTBB)

Credo is scored here for TTBB a Cappella Chorus - midi realization.  The text is known as both "Credo" and "Prayer of the Unknown Confederate Soldier".  The men's version here incorporates an infusion of lush modern passages with a slight barbershop quartet feel in places.  It's a prayer, but with meat on its bones.  Contact me at crickb88@cox.net if you are interested in obtaining scores or performance.

Credo - TTBB a Cappella (also for SATB)

Dr. Robert J. Smithdas, d. 2014, became deaf/blind around 5 yrs of age. Among his many accolades, poetry is one of them. Nocturne, scored here for SATB and piano (also in SSA), is a languorous, slight sultry song. Dr. Smithdas speaks of night with with the greatest of insight and the simplest of truths, in his own darkness. The work is slightly inspired by Bill Evans "Peace Piece".

Nocturne - SATB And Piano

A very accessible work for SSATB. A beautiful prayer of a soldier where perspective and music meet. Currently this score can be viewed and purchased at ScoreExchange.com Thank you Matthew Curtis and Choral Tracks LLC for the beautiful demo recording.

Credo - SATB a cappella

From the Dutch Theologian, Desiderius Erasmus come these beautiful words of becoming less of who we are, yet more of who we are to be.  While this is a sacred text, it can be used in a multitude of programming venues.  This work is also available in an SATB version.  Each version is available through www.LighthouseMusicPublications.com or through online distributors such as JWPepper and SheetMusicPlus.   The work is currently in contract and release is expected in the spring of 2016.  The original score was written for the Ambassadors Men's Choir, directed by Fred Mund at Trevecca Nazarene University.  This midi performance here is a recent update of the work and is dedicated to Fred  Mund.

Abound In You - TTBB a cappella

Scored for SSA, piano and flute, Ralph Waldo Emerson's "We Thank Thee" is a joyful setting of a simple and memorable text of thankfulness for everything.  Youthful, upbeat in 5/4 throughout and contemporary harmonies, this work will be a fun sing for singer, player and listener.  This work is available through www.lighthousemusicpublications.com

We Thank Thee- SSA piano and flute

Breathe On Me Day is dedicated to two dear friends who fought the battle of breast cancer and won and is co-dedicated to the NGU Le Belle Voci women's choir and Director, Dr. John Broman.  This is the world premiere of the SSAA version. Dr. Robert Smithdas' poem is the perfect expression of triumph.

My hope is that everyone will sense the weariness and struggle that weaves through the work and how it builds to triumph! The vision I had when I composed this was that of an image of an individual at the summit of a great mountain. Behind them, all their sorrows, struggles, and burdens once carried, shed below. But love, encouragement, strength, endurance, hope, patience; they represent the light which burst forth from their innermost being, outward, in every direction, so much so, that even the clouds shake.

Knowing the breast cancer stories behind Carmen and Jennifer (dedicated to), I can’t help but sense how “smothered” they must have felt, at times…probably more often than not…and what it must have been like to finally be able to take in that gasp for air.

Breathe On Me, Day! - SSAA and piano

Dr. Smithdas (the poet: d:2014)has been one of the most inspiring people I have ever known.  I have enjoyed putting many of his colorful poems to music.  This work is another vivid text from a man who lived almost his entire life deaf and blind.  He expresses his search to find a song, a melody, a harmony, a rhythm, a tempo to life, but in the end, life is in motion; in and of itself, the very core of his quest.

To Find A Song...  SSAA and piano

This work, scored for TTBB and piano is currently available from Lighthouse Music Publications.  The arrangement depicts each verse in it's own sensitive setting.  It is very accessible to men's choirs and a perfect addition to any Christmas program.  This work is suggested for HS and College Men's choirs, as well as, Community Men's choirs.  Special thanks to Matthew Curtis of Choral Tracks in the production of this demo.

We Three Kings TTBB - Balanced Voices - arr. Rick Bartlett

This piece was composed for my great niece Ayla.
Origin Meaning:
*Turkish: "Halo of light around the moon (or the sun)" 
*Scottish: "From a strong or resilient place" Hebrew: "Doe" 
*Hebrew: "Oak Tree"

The intent was to capture the beauty and mystery of halos, whether is be sun or moon...or some angelic representation.

HALO - for Ayla Rose

As a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University - Nashville, Rick studied music with emphasis in voice. He is an avid composer, (and enjoys photography) scoring predominantly in the choral genre. His choral music has been performed by many choirs throughout the world. Most notably by his Alma Mater's Mens, Women's and Concert Choirs.  He has received commissions and is an award winning composer.  He has placed second in the Ithaca College Choral Composition Festival and selected numerous times as a top 6 finalist.  He has scored music for the film project entitled "Creekwater", as well as, public service announcements, in collaboration with video production majors at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is a member of the American Composer's Forum and ASCAP and has received ASCAP awards since 2005.  Brass arrangements of his scores have been written, recorded and performed by The Brethren Brass and Mojo Brass.  Contact me directly if you are interested in any score at crickb88@cox.net

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