Christina Hanson's dramatic compositional piece uses a woodwind quintet to explore the story of Paul's conversion found in Acts 9:1-9, 17-22 for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The story of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9 is a staple in most Christian households. Oftentimes believers miss the truly dramatic nature of the story. Saul “breathes murderous threats” to the believers, sees a vision only he can see that tells him to change the trajectory of his entire life, and ends up preaching to the world the very thing he persecuted so fiercely. In "Damascus Catalyst," I let the text inspire the musical shape of the piece, beginning with the formation of Saul’s “murderous threats”, following his transformative journey on the road to Damascus, and ending with his proclamation of the Gospel.

This piece uses some contemporary compositional idioms but injects them into styles that are familiar to many, especially the style of hymns. I was inspired in part by two hymns, which can be heard fragmented throughout this piece: "Jesus Christ is Lord Today" (an obscure hymn tune I have only found in one hymnal but evertheless fell in love with) and "Christ be our Light" (a more modern Catholic hymn tune). By using these fragments as a backbone for the whole piece, Saul clearly appears as a character that transforms as the thematic material transforms.

The style of the piece is somewhat derived from musical theatre, using dramatic tension to tell a story. To this end, I was inspired by the versatility of the woodwind quintet—its ability to be as quiet as a small wisp of a thought, be as frightening as an unexpected vision, and to capture the jubilant cries of a recent believer as he proclaims his newfound beliefs. Loosely, Saul’s character is “played” by the horn, and you can hear his thought process rattling around in his head throughout the piece. By following the thread of the story from the beginning of Damascus Catalyst to the end, the listener can experience this vignette of Saul’s life—God’s presence, as a catalyst on the road to Damascus, transforming Saul from ruthless tyrant to relentless advocate of the Gospel.


ARTIST BIO

Christina Lauren Hanson is a composer, music educator, pianist, violinist, student, accompanist, and entrepreneur based in Appleton, Wisconsin. She is currently a candidate for the Bachelor of Music degree in Composition at Lawrence University in Appleton and has studied under Joanne Metcalf, Asha Srinivasan, and Lawton Hall. Her compositional career began in at a very young age, and since then she has written pieces for a wide variety of instruments including piano, strings, and woodwinds. As she studies composition, she finds myriads of ways to showcase God’s beauty through the medium of music—a medium that has been used to worship God since the beginning of time!

Christina frequently performs with her string trio, The III of Us, and lends her talents as an accompanist, pianist, violinist, and leader for choirs and worship teams in the Fox Valley (including for Bended Knee Ministries and Lawrence Christian Fellowship). Currently, by teaching piano, violin, and music theory, writing music for commissions, using her entrepreneurial skills, and trusting God’s guidance, she is putting herself through college so she can further hone her compositional craft to glorify the Creator. In the future, she plans to keep exploring music as a channel to reach others for Christ not just through composition but also through teaching and performing.

When Christina is not doing any of the above, she enjoys the company of her many friends and comrades, taking care of plants on her family’s apple orchard (she has thriving succulent and vegetable gardens), drinking coffee and tea, reading, improvising on her grand piano, listening to Christian radio drama, swing dancing, and volunteering in the children’s ministry at her church.

Damascus Catalyst

Damascus Catalyst - Christina Hanson

Taking the voice of an outsider looking in, and with a sound reminiscent of Patsy Cline, Taryn Randall's song of longing and mystery explores the community and supernatural events found in Acts 4:31-37 for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

ARTIST STATEMENT

When I first read this verse, I had a really difficult time relating to it.  Giving up everything you own for the good of those around you is very counter-cultural, especially when living in a city like NYC, where so much meaning is placed in your career and possessions. Writing from the perspective of someone inside of this lifestyle didn't sit right with me, so I decided to turn it around and write from the view of a person looking in.
 
As an outsider, the two things that stood out to me the most in this passage were the supernatural event of the meeting place shaking and the deep sense of community.  The house shuddering is a physical event, something tangible that can be seen and felt. The community speaks to all of our need for love and companionship; it's a gateway to the greater story of God's ultimate redemption of the world.


ARTIST BIO

Taryn Randall is a native Californian who has lived in Brooklyn, NY the last 4 years.  She recently finished recording her first full length album under the name COTE and is releasing the first single at the end of July.  When she's not working on music, Taryn is a jewelry designer for a number of companies, including her own, Jefferson NYC.  www.jefferson-nyc.com

House Shudder

House Shudder - Taryn Randall

Singer-songwriter Anthony LaMarca worked with his brother to bring us a beautifully thoughtful song in response to suffering and Revelation 21:5 for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

FROM THE ARTIST: 

This song is based on Revelation 21:5. This past August I found out I had multiple myeloma. It was a big shock and ultimately resulted in my having to have a bone marrow transplant in January. Before I went into the hospital my sister-in-law and her kids made me this painting that had that verse written on it. For the two weeks I was in the hospital that painting was something I could return to and find peace and reassurance. I was scared and uncomfortable. I missed being home. I missed cooking. But I knew that that verse was true. My body was being renewed. Learning to trust and face fear head-on is not easy. It’s hard to give up control, but it is also freeing to realize when you are in a situation that is out of your control. So, this song aims to illustrate a change from fear to reassurance and peace.

ARTIST BIO:

Anthony LaMarca is a musician from Youngstown, Ohio. He currently plays in The War On Drugs, sometimes with Dean & Britta, and previously with St. Vincent. He and his brother, Angelo, make records as The Building. He also has a wonderful German Shepherd named Petra.

All Things New

All Things New - Anthony LaMarca

We are thrilled to feature a follow-up version of Noah Lekas’ solo blues song, “Don’t Let Me Be Put to Shame.” This song was originally commissioned by Spark and Echo Arts in 2011 and is a response to Psalm 25 and Psalm 91. Now with a full band, Kenyon Adams & American Restless have ramped up the original and will be releasing “Shame” as part of their debut EP.

FROM THE ARTIST:

Noah Lekas: I really liked the idea of contending with God for His name’s sake – as if to say, “I know I am not worth helping, but You have to help me because of who You are.” So the song is sort of exploring that and this idea of being completely out numbered and surrounded in a Psalm 91 sort of way, with nowhere to turn but to the Lord.

ARTIST BIO:

The personal histories of Kenyon Adams and Noah Lekas (American Restless) have converged at the crossroads of the blues, where black music of the American south meets the Midwest, much as it did during the 1950's as many southern blacks (including Muddy Waters and Little Walter) headed north from their sharecropping communities to seek job opportunities and play for dollars on the city streets.

The blues was never nihilistic but presented a gut-wrenchingly honest spirituality which was, in its deep concern for the human situation, both theologically and philosophically concerned. The music of Kenyon Adams & American Restless seeks to represent these aspects of the blues in our post-postmodern setting in which we live among a generation which, while being privileged and educated to an unprecedented degree, is perhaps more confused and discontented than any in recent history.

To this picture and in this scenario we wish to contribute our own "cries" out to God in solidarity with all who struggle to reconcile inner longings with the besieging cruelty of the mundane.

Band Instrumentation: Inspired by Muddy Waters Band, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Little Walter, Jimmy Hendrix, Elmore James, among others.

Shame

Shame - Kenyon Adams & American Restless

We are thrilled to welcome the band, Lowland Hum, to Spark and Echo Arts with a new song in response to the theme of poverty and 1 John 1:5; 2:4, 9-11 for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“The Father” was written on a day off during our first cross country tour. As we read through the scripture in 1 John, a few ideas struck and inspired us. The passage dramatically draws attention to the disparity between our identity as children of God and the way we treat one another. The subject that we were assigned by Spark and Echo was “poverty” and as we read the scripture we recognized our own poverty in a profound way. How can you say you love the father if you hate your brother who is made in His image? It is so easy for us to take a self-protective stance, putting others down, even if its just in our minds, to escape our own darkness and inadequacy. The story of this song is written in hopes of drawing attention to the lack inherent in our love for one another, especially in our families. At the end of the song, we hope to refocus on the freeing and glorious character of God, our only way toward wholeness. In the contrary way of Jesus, we aim to tear our eyes from our inadequacy and to dwell on His goodness and overabundance. In this act we are on the path toward healing, change and we are given the strength to love. In our poverty, He is rich.

ARTIST BIO:

Lowland Hum is Daniel Levi and Lauren (Plank) Goans. Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, the duo met in 2010. They married in 2012 and spent their first year of marriage touring the East Coast. During this time they began writing the songs that would become their first album, Native Air.

Since releasing Native Air in August 2013, Lowland Hum has performed for 70 audiences in 13 states. Combining Daniel’s musicianship and Lauren’s inclinations in visual art, Lowland Hum’s shows are a multi-sensory experience, engaging sight, sound, smell, and touch–inviting listeners to be fully present and reducing the space between artist and listener. During performances, Lowland Hum readily shares the stories behind their songs and invites listeners to offer real-time reflections.

Lowland Hum tours full time, playing house shows, listening rooms, colleges and universities, and other spaces conducive to an intimate listening experience.

The Father

The Father - Lowland Hum

Theatre artist Timothy Giles explores the movement of Revelation 9:1-6 in the composition of his new song, “Abyss” for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

My background in music is varied, but the explanation for the way I work on pieces like ‘Abyss’ is best understood through my work as a theatre artist. I have a habit of getting myself in over my head, taking on opportunities that put my skills in the crucible. It’s a habit that delivers varied results, but the best chances to grow. Most of the music I wrote before being asked to compose for my first play has never touched another person’s ears. Even though I knew that the best experiences I often had were having music that I created or performed fit into an experience that went beyond me, whether that was people dancing to a band or seeing physical theatre backed by something I had written. Because I have always experienced music physically.
 
I love music for its ability to seemingly take over my body and I create music from that inspiration. When I went searching for the Bible verse I wanted to use for this project I was of course pulled to this passage, to its intense imagery and action. I wanted the movement inherent in the story to guide the music, and I wanted to do my best to capture the specific vision, dark and chaotic, that the verses created in my head. There’s extreme conflict in these lines: A hell on earth permitted by God whose end is only torture and no absolution, hope and longing for the comfort of death that is never answered, and mercy for some at the expense of others.
 
As a piece all on its own these verses are terrifying–as dark as the Inferno. I tried to work as much of this as possible into this composition–the conflict, terror, chaos, and longing. Each line becomes a piece of a movement in this musical representation. Though this is not my first attempt, I am not a composer of great orchestral music. That has been my crucible for this project. But it was a journey I was glad to take and I hope I have grown from it.

ARTIST BIO:

Tim Giles is primarily a theatre artist. He serves as the Assistant Director of HUB-BUB in Spartanburg and also works as an actor, composer, sound designer, teacher and whatever else presents itself. As a sound designer and composer he has worked exclusively on new works: the collaborative You Need. Go Search., Wallop by Charles Cissel, Treasure Island adapted by Jay Briggs, The Reckless Season by Lauren Ferebee, Organic Shrapnel by Charles Cissel, how i learned to become a SUPERHERO by Dennis Flanagan, and Blood Potato by James McManus.

Abyss

Abyss - Timothy Giles

Guitarist and composer Mark Lettieri’s “Spark and Echo” explores God’s role as the one true judge of man. This work is in response to James 4:12 and the theme of destruction for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

James 4:12 states, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?” (NIV).
I came across this verse while researching the biblical theme of destruction. I had planned on composing a piece about the literal destruction of something physical. I wanted the song to be dark and maybe even violent (which led me to Revelations first, of course). But when I found this verse, I ended up writing a song about destroying something emotional; ultimately a song about love. What I took from this verse is this: without God, we’re constantly tempted to judge and chastise others, as if we’ve always lived a life free of sin ourselves. This song is about the idea that as Christians, we must destroy that desire to judge, and replace it with a showing of His love instead. The heavy layered rhythm guitars, drums and strings represent the tearing down of this judgmental attitude, with the bright melody representing a reconstructed view built on love and respect.

ARTIST BIO:

Mark Lettieri is a guitarist, composer and producer residing in Fort Worth, TX. Originally from Menlo Park, CA, Lettieri moved to Texas to attend Texas Christian University, earning a B.S. in Advertising/Public Relations. After graduation in the spring of 2005, began pursuing his music career.

Since 2008, Lettieri has been a member of jazz/fusion band Snarky Puppy. The band tours heavily, performing an average of 150 shows a year in the US, Europe, Asia and most recently South America. In January 2014, the group received the Grammy Award for “Best R&B Performance,” for their collaboration with Lalah Hathaway on Brenda Russell’s song entitled “Something.”

Aside from his work with Snarky Puppy, Lettieri also travels occasionally with neo-soul songstress Erykah Badu, and NBC’s The Voice: Season 2 contestant Anthony Evans.

When not on the road, Lettieri is a session guitarist in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Proficient in a multitude of styles, he records and performs in virtually every genre of popular music. He works with several independent artists as well as major labels. Recent recording sessions include work for 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Adam Levine, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, LeCrae, Keyshia Cole, and Xzibit. He is also a member of Team SKP, a production collective led by award-winning producer Symbolyc One (Kanye West, Beyonce).

Since 2010, he has been a member of the house band for “Marcus & Joni,” a morning talk/variety show broadcast in 200 countries on Daystar, a Christian cable network.

As a composer, Lettieri has released two guitar instrumental recordings, “Knows” in 2011, and “Futurefun” in 2013. Through tours with Snarky Puppy and social media network shares, both records created sizable buzz in the indie guitar community. Lettieri looks to tour abroad with his trio in the next year.

Spark and Echo

Spark And Echo - Mark Lettieri

Musician Daniel Brew explores the theme of healing and Mark 5:1-20 in his hypnotic piece, "Away and Began," for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

[...] I was concerned about setting the scene. I want to take the listener on a journey and help them feel, be it only a reflection, something of the transformation that we see in Mark 5. I also want the listener to enjoy sound. Not just relationships between sounds, such as harmony and rhythm, but simply the sounds themselves and how they are all beautifully and complexly detailed in themselves, but then come together to paint a picture which I have tried my best to reflect the narrative we read in the Gospel of Mark.

To Read More, Visit: http://www.sparkandecho.org/away-and-began_daniel-brew/

ARTIST BIO:

Daniel Brew: At the age of 17 I moved to Manchester from my hometown of Cleethorpes to study music. I have just recently finished those studies and graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a 1st class degree in Music. My principal study was guitar and I feel was very fortunate to be able to study with some great world renowned musicians both from the jazz world and the classical. Having the opportunity learn form such excellent and inspirational teachers has helped me to excel greatly in many areas of my playing and overall musicianship.

During my final year studying at the RNCM I began working closely with a composer and teacher of mine called Mauricio Pauly for whom I recorded one of his most recent compositions written for solo electric guitar. This was a huge learning curve for me and provided the main platform for me becoming involved in contemporary music. I am currently preparing some more pieces in preparation for a concert with his ensemble, Distractfold. I have also recently been offered a place to study at Impuls 2015 Academy for Contemporary Music in Graz (Austria) that will be taking place in February for 13 days.

I now work as a self-employed musician in and around the north west of England and I am always involved in many different projects covering a wide range of musical styles. I have my own contemporary jazz trio (Apes Grapes) in which I do the majority of my composing and we are all very influenced not only by jazz but a wide range of contemporary music which no doubt leaks into our compositions.

I have also recently started working with the Architectural Association Interprofessional Studio in London exploring ways of translating structure and spatial design into/through music, challenging the frontiers of working in between art, architecture and performance.


Away And Began

Away And Began - Daniel Brew

Composer Sidney Marquez Boquiren explores the theme of healing through passages from Ecclesiastes, John, and Revelation in his new work, "folia ligni."

ARTIST STATEMENT

"folia ligni" takes as its inspiration three sets of Biblical verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; John 14:27; and Revelation 22:2. The work itself is a diptych that consists of meditations on the verses from Ecclesiastes and the Gospel of St. John, written for piano, with the title (“leaves of the tree”) taken from Revelation 22:2 which is the verse that undergirds folia ligni: “The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” It is this healing of nations and (by extension) of peoples that I tried to get at, not in the sense of a direct depiction of some process of healing but more as a sort of struggle to achieve this healing, a striving to reach “a time of peace.”
 
Et in terra pax.

ARTIST BIO

Sidney Marquez Boquiren is a composer-performer who grew up in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia but has spent most of his life in the United States. He collaborates with artists on various projects that include opera (Independence Eve with Daniel Neer); Biblical illumination (folia ligni for Spark and Echo Arts); and multi-media (The Gretel Project with Lauren K. Alleyne, Catherine Chung, and Tomiko Jones). As a pianist, he performs regularly with Rhymes With Opera and pulsoptional.

A MacDowell Fellow, Sidney is currently the Chair of the Department of Music at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, where he teaches music theory and composition. He is also a cantor and sings in the choir of The Church of St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan, New York.

folia ligni

John 14:27

John 14:27 - Sidney Marquez Boquiren

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - Sidney Marquez Boquiren

Spark and Echo Arts is creating or commissioning a work of art, music, theatre, poetry, dance, or film in response to every verse of the Bible.

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