from the album, Creations
http://new.michaelrhicks.com/music/creations/

When I studied in the Holy Land for two months, my classmates and I always looked forward to the sunsets each night.  Wherever we were, we sought out a place to watch the sun go down, whether we were in Jerusalem, Galilee, Jordan, Egypt, or along the coasts of the Red Sea.

After two months of seeing sights I had read about many times and having amazing experiences, the time came to return home.  The night before leaving our Jerusalem Center, we all went out onto the patio to witness our final sunset.  I wanted to capture the moment in a song, so I grabbed my songwriters journal and jotted down the melody and chords going through my mind.

Our final sunset wasn't the most spectacular during our time in the Holy Land, but it was perhaps the most meaningful.  Here is "Last Jerusalem Sunset", as I wrote it on my last evening in Jerusalem.

Last Jerusalem Sunset

Michael R. Hicks’ arrangement of I Know That My Redeemer Lives.  Originally recorded for EFY.  The recording of this arrangement was used for a special video shown at Especially For Youth‘s Thursday night fireside.  Now available as part of the album/songbook, I Know He Lives.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

part of the album, I Know He Lives.  Sung by Jen Marco.

I Stand All Amazed

Michael was invited by a neighbor to play the piano at the Huntsman Cancer Institute during the Christmas season.  Moved by those coming and going from the hospital, a song came to him.  For months this song didn’t have a title.  One day, Michael noticed a statement from cancer survivor, Dov Siporin, who said, “Walk outside and look at the beauty of the world around you, and tell yourself, ‘At the very least, I have this moment.'”  This quote captured the essence of the song.

I Have This Moment

A simple arrangement with a reflective, contemplative feel. http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

Come Follow Me - Michael R. Hicks

A peaceful, dreamy solo piano arrangement of a traditional lullaby.

Rock-A-Bye Baby

a favorite hymn with a Celtic flare.  Vocals by Peter Breinholt.

http://michaelrhicks.com/music/i-know-he-lives/

A Poor Wayfaring Man Of Grief - from I Know He Lives

a solo piano track inspired by the awe I felt visiting the redwood trees of Muir Woods.

Muir Woods by Michael R. Hicks

a solo piano arrangement of Be Still, My Soul - inspired by a visit to the Sea of Galilee.

Galilee (Be Still, My Soul)

A simple solo piano song, inspired by and written while watching the final sunset over the old city of Jerusalem before returning home form studying abroad in the Holy Land.

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/efy-medley-as-sisters-in-zion/id739360643
website: http://michaelrhicks.com/music/efy-medley/

Michael’s 2-time Pearl Award-winning arrangement as heard on his album, I Know He Lives and performed by Eclipse.

I Know He Lives

Be Still, My Soul

a solo piano medley of the hymns "With Humble Heart" and "Because I Have Been Given Music"

To Satisfy The Law

The Least Shall Be The Greatest

http://www.michaelrhicks.com/

For me, this arrangement is one I would take with me on an inspirational road trip. 

Now, don't try to take a road trip to Hawaii.  You'll get wet.  But while I was on the island of Kauai, my wife and I took a hike to Hanakapi'ai Falls along the Napali Coast.  Watching the water flowing freely over the tropical cliff and cascading down the mountain into a cool pool is a perfect symbol when considering the goodness and love of God, the “Fount of every blessing.” 

There is no Hawaiian-sounding music in this arrangement, but see if you can hear the beautiful musical symbol of flowing water, starting with just a trickle, then building into a majestic river.

http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

Come Thou Fount - Hymn Creations

http://www.michaelrhicks.com/
This song combines three hymns celebrating God's creations: All Creatures of Our God and King, My Heavenly Father Loves Me, and For The Beauty of the Earth.  From my very first album, To Satisfy The Law, which I released while in college in 1997.

Thanksgiving - To Satisfy The Law

A choral arrangement of the popular hymn.

The Spirit Of God

A simple piano arrangement of a beloved hymn, "There is a Green Hill Far Away." http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

Hymn Creations

Green Hill

the solo piano version of Michael's popular arrangement of I Know That My Redeemer Lives.  http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Solo Piano)

This is the first track from my new CD "Hymn Creations".  I love the excitement of this hymn’s message and the grandeur of its anthem melody.  In my mind’s eye, I see thousands upon thousands gathering from every corner of the earth to rejoice in the great blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

Come Ye Children Of The Lord - Hymn Creations

This is a song inspired by my family's annual trip to Lake Powell.  We like to make camp in a variety of locations, but my favorite is Moki Canyon.  At night, sleeping under the stars, I love to imagine a time long ago when the native inhabitants enjoyed the same breathtaking nightly spectacle.  Perhaps a father played something similar to "Moki Canyon Lullaby" to their child to help them sleep as a hot summer night began to cool slightly. http://new.michaelrhicks.com/music/piano-portraits/

Moki Canyon Lullaby - Michael R. Hicks (from Piano Portraits)

This is a song I wrote based on a mother's poem who delivered a stillborn girl she named "Celestial".  

Vocals by Jen Marco.
Included as a bonus track on the EFY Medley CD single, by Michael R. Hicks:
http://new.michaelrhicks.com/music/efy-medley/

Born Still In The Arms of God

A light-hearted arrangement celebrating the comical, yet tender moments our children bring into our lives.
http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

Dearest Children God Is Near You (from Hymn Creations)

from the album Hymn Creations.
http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

Amazing Grace arr by Michael R. Hicks

A duet of my father (on bassoon) and myself (on piano).  Dedicated to those places where we go to find healing and peace.  This song is a journey to those special places. 

"Place Of Healing" by Michael R. Hicks

http://www.michaelrhicks.com/ from the album Hymn Creations.

I remember standing and singing this hymn at church as a kid and falling in
love with the melody, message, and feeling inside my heart as our organist
masterfully played her accompaniment. She knew how to push that organ to
its maximum capacity.

http://michaelrhicks.com/music/hymn-creations/

"Rejoice The Lord Is King" by Michael R. Hicks

Michael R. Hicks has uplifted audiences all over the world – from the Middle East to California, from Calgary, Canada to Kenya, Africa. His music has won awards and many have performed his arrangements, from small church choirs to famed country stars.

Michael graduated from BYU in Marketing Communication with a minor in music. He is from Salt Lake City, Utah and served a full-time LDS mission in the California Santa Rosa Mission. Michael enjoyed teaching seminary for a semester at Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah. He loved working as a counselor for the Especially For Youth program for five years.

Michael is perhaps best known as the composer of the EFY Medley: As Sisters In Zion & We’ll Bring the World His Truth, sung by nearly a half of a million youth since 1999 at the Especially for Youth program, and sung by tens of thousands more in church congregations around the world, including seminary graduations, mission farewells, youth conferences in Lithuania, Australia, Japan, China, Canada, the United Kingdom, throughout South America, and more.

Michael has contributed other arrangements of hymns for EFY CDs, including I Know That My Redeemer Lives, I Believe In Christ, Lord, I Would Follow Thee, and Let Us All Press On.

Michael has produced 6 of his own CDs and recently completed his seventh entitled Hymn Creations.

When he is not writing music, Michael enjoys spending as much time as he can with his family. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wonderful wife, daughter, and son.


Michael R. Hicks

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