Five Thousand Fed is a composition based on the New Testament miracle of The Feeding of the 5,000. The text is taken from Matthew. 
I used fragments of this text to create a narrative of this miracle performed by Jesus. This particular story is striking as it shows Jesus providing for the most basic needs of the people: the need to be fed. This miracle therefore relates to the modern world, as people are constantly asking questions of why over half the world’s population remain in poverty. This text has major themes demonstrating lack of faith, as the disciples attempt to send the crowds away, and it also portrays the beautiful truth that despite our constant doubts and lack of faith, God will take care for our needs and make the little we have into greater things.
This recording was performed by Ensemble Avalon and Judith Lyons (Soprano).

Five Thousand Fed

Sibelius Midi version of 'The fruit of the Spirit is: Patience'. (Therefore, some aspects, such as the 'stomping' are not audible, alongside other extended techniques included in the composition).

The fruit of the Spirit is: Patience, is a composition scored for flute, clarinet in B flat and violin. It follows a narrative based around different references to the word Patience found in the Bible. Originally my inspiration was from Galatians 5, a book within the New Testament, more specifically verses 22 - 23. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’ But further inspiration was taken from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, one specific verse, Isaiah 7 verse 13, ‘Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?” The composition musically describes the contrast of human patience with God’s patience. The beginning of the piece represents our human attempt at being patient, where we begin strongly and wait patiently, however, we ultimately get distracted. We become irritable and angry as we wait for what is in store for us. This is dramatically contrasted from the central part of the composition: the stomping, symbolising God stepping in to show us His unwavering and unchanging patience. Similar motifs are heard once again, and little bursts of our human exasperation can still be found, but the central element is the steady, less chaotic symbol of God’s patience.

The fruit of the Spirit is: Patience

This is a midi representation of the composition (without audible extended techniques): The fruit of the Spirit is: Gentleness.

The fruit of the Spirit is: Gentleness, is a composition scored for string quartet. It follows a narrative based around different references to the word Gentleness found in the Bible. Originally my inspiration was from Galatians 5, a book within the New Testament, more specifically verses 22 - 23. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’ But further inspiration was taken from the book of Colossians in the New Testament, one specific verse, Colossians 3 verse 11, ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” The composition musically describes the concept of being clothed with gentleness, and in contrast, there are sections of obvious agitation reflecting the situations in life that make us irritated and angry. Ultimately the act of being gentle remains the focus. The composition is written with an image of waves in mind. Simple patterns repeat and overlap one another, with subtle developments that appear gradually throughout. The cello provides the foundation, and for the majority of the composition it is unwavering, however, to reflect the agitation, irregular rhythms cut into the ‘wave’ texture and create an interruption. The composition possesses elements of minimalism, with some surprising moments to encompass the difficulty of being clothed in gentleness.

The fruit of the Spirit is: Gentleness

Midi Version (excluding sounding extended techniques)

The fruit of the Spirit is: Joy, is a composition scored for flute, violin and piano. It follows a snippet of narrative based around different references to the word Joy found in the Bible. Originally my inspiration was from Galatians 5, a book within the New Testament, more specifically verses 22 - 23. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’ But further inspiration was taken from the book of Psalms in the Old Testament, specifically, Psalm 98 verses 3-5, ‘Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.’ The composition musically describes the concept of overwhelming joy, expressed through instruments. The composition is based around one 8 note idea that is repeated as it originally appears, and in its retrograde form. This was intentionally to differentiate between worldly joy and true godly joy. The former, is brief and fleeting, whereas the latter is consistent and never dissolves. It lasts throughout times of despair and disaster and acts as a firm foundation throughout life.

The fruit of the Spirit is: Joy (Ringtone Version)

Variation of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for Piano

The fruit of the Spirit is: Gentleness, is a composition scored for string chamber orchestra and solo soprano. It follows a narrative based around different references to the word Gentleness found in the Bible. Originally my inspiration was from Galatians 5, a book within the New Testament, more specifically verses 22 - 23. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’ But further inspiration was taken from the book of Colossians in the New Testament, one specific verse, Colossians 3 verse 11, ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  The composition musically describes the concept of being clothed with gentleness, and in contrast, there are sections of obvious agitation reflecting the situations in life that make us irritated and angry. Ultimately the act of being gentle remains the focus. The composition is written with an image of waves in mind. Simple patterns repeat and overlap one another, with subtle developments that appear gradually throughout. The cello and double bass provide the foundation, and for the majority of the composition it is unwavering, however, to reflect the agitation, irregular rhythms cut into the ‘wave’ texture and create an interruption. The composition possesses elements of minimalism, with some surprising moments to encompass the difficulty of being clothed in gentleness. Extracts from Psalm 89 also appear as other relevant aspects of God and His everlasting love and faithfulness.  The soprano narrates and reflects the musical movement in a dramatic fashion. There is a constant reminder that ‘The Lord is near’, informing the listener of God’s relational character.

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is: Gentleness

A short song demo questioning why it is so hard to have faith - but ultimately outlining a desire to have my faith grow and for it to become a firm foundation.

Sherry Hazlett's Album

Brittle (Nov 2018)

A song inspired by the story of the prodigal son. We are welcomed home just as we are, right now. We are beloved just as we are, right now. There is room for everyone.

Demos

You Welcome Us Home Demo

This song is a reminder to become child-like in our faith - seeing the beauty of the divine all around us, and knowing that we are worthy, and loved. We must find our wonder again.

Reminder Demo

1 - You Welcome Us Home

I am a wife, worship leader & songwriter at Holy Trinity Church, Rathmines in Dublin. Coming from a background of minimalist classical composition after graduating with an MPhil in Music Composition from Trinity College Dublin, my song writing maintains a minimalist vibe. I write worship music as a way to connect with the Divine, find intimacy with Jesus & to journey through my own thoughts, feelings & experiences. 

I am from Bangor, Northern Ireland. I have achieved Grade 8 certificates in Voice and Piano and graduated in Music from Trinity College Dublin with the Gerard Victory Prize for Composition. Throughout my time in college, I participated in several musical groups, including the Campanile Consort, Trinity Singers, Boydell Singers, Trinity Orchestra and the Trinity Chapel Choir as a choral scholar. My contemporary classical compositions have been performed by the Node Ensemble, Ensemble Avalon and The Trinity Singers as well as by my very talented friends: soprano Judith Lyons and alto Dominica Williams. I previously sang as a choral scholar at St Patrick’s Cathedral and currently sing in The Mornington Singers as a soprano. My classical composition is also heavily based on biblical text and strives to offer a new and fresh expression of Christianity.

I hope you enjoy!
S

Sherry Hazlett-Gallen