A return to form after a multi-year hiatus from ragtime composition. Written August 2022.

Piano Rags

I Can't Believe I'm Getting Paid to Do This Cakewalk

Extra salted popcorn and good, hot weiners. Completed June 1, 2015.

Concessionaire's Rag

Text: "Aurora Borealis", Nellie Seelye Evans (1906).
Performed 2014 by the University of St. Thomas Alumni Choir.

There Is A Flower Of Climate Rare

Morton's Iodized Salt

Written for Mary and recorded by The Captains of Industry (Ben Essington, Wyatt Kern, Tim Tursich, and Jon Tschiggfrie), 2009.

The Sandwich Lady

From "Three Prayers". Instrumental version of choral piece written 2011 based on a text attributed to St. Gertrude.

Hail Mary of Gold (strings)

Choral arrangement of a traditional Cornish May Day song, written 2014.
Performed 2014 by the University of St. Thomas Alumni Choir.

Hal-An-Tow

An unfinished autobiographical album of piano solos with tracks recorded in 2009.

14. Epilogue: A Simple Faith

10. Autumn Bluffs

9. Eagle Point

4. Monument

2. Hamm Island

1. Prologue: Dubuque

A percussion-only track written in the style of a car commercial. Written 2013.

Auto ad theme (30 seconds)

Piano rendering of a hymn based on Isaiah 43; written 2014.

Text:

1. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by life's twists and turns,
Finding myself troubled by trivial concerns.
Many times have I been wrong, fooled by human whim,
But I know this simple truth: I am loved by Him.

2. Then there are the desp'rate hours filled with fear and doubt:
"Have I been abandoned, Lord? Have you cast me out?"
At those times, e'en through the tears, with conviction grim
I shall say in steady voice, "I am loved by Him."

3. For I know, though undeserved, He will lift me higher;
Where I seek His mercy, He saves me from the fire.
If the waters round me rage, I'll not sink but swim;
He has reassured me that I am loved by Him.

4. When the Father calls me home I shall not be scared
For I have, through steadfast faith, made my soul prepared.
When the veil on life shall fall, when the light grows dim,
I'll take comfort knowing this - I am loved by Him.

Hymn: A Simple Truth / I Am Loved By Him

Text by Nicholas A. Beacom. Written and recorded 2008.

I Got Jesus on My Side

Classic rag written 2014. Title refers to former location of MakeMusic Inc. offices in Eden Prairie, MN.

76th Street Rag

A ragtime dance hearkening back to the heyday of excursion steamboating in America. Original title "Chow Time Two-Step" written 2011; revised and renamed 2014.

Rosettes and Gingerbread

The composer's sophomore effort, named for the river passing by Peru, IN, home of calliope manufacturer Dave Morecraft. Written 2012.

Wabash Two-Step

The composer's first original rag, written 2010 and revised 2012.  Title pays tribute to the storied street through St. Paul, MN.

Grand Avenue Rag

A slight stylistic departure. Written 2014.

Whirlwind Rag

The Captains of Industry return with a high-energy tale of timeless wanderlust.

Cheventure!

Spaghetti With Meatballs (2013)

Theme music to the children's program "Capt. Dover's Flying Machine". Written 2008 and orchestrated 2012.

Capt. Dover's Flying Machine Theme

Arrangement of the classic spiritual, 2014.

This Little Light of Mine

Written 2004 for the Dubuque (IA) Senior High School Madrigal Singers.

Hail and Blessed (Christmas Novena)

Written 2004 on a text by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Premiered 2005 at Orpheum Theatre, NYC (if memory serves) by Dubuque (IA) Senior High School Concert Choir.

Crossing the Bar

Written for documentary series "Steamboating Today" in 2001.

Steamboating Today Theme / Dueling Banjos

A re-setting of the familiar hymn text "O Love that will not let me go". Hymn tune ABIDING GRACE written 2013.

O Love that Will Not Let Me Go / ABIDING GRACE

An excerpt from a Lenten arrangement of the ancient hymn based on the tune PICARDY, written 2008 and performed by the University of Saint Thomas Chamber Singers.

Excerpt from "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"

A classical/folk ragtime hybrid with some elements similar to The Cache La Poudre. Written 2015.

Fleur-de-Lis Rag

A ragtime two-step. Named for the river in northern Colorado. Written 2015.

The Cache La Poudre

World premiere of "The Gift to Sing", text by James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938), performed by Rocky Mountain Chorale on the November 2018 concerts "The Gift to Sing" celebrating the ensemble's 40th anniversary.

The Gift to Sing

Now generating ragtime, piano, and steam calliope musics for your perusal.

Also available: choral, liturgical, and music suitable for your local church hymnal.

jtschiggfrie

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