Piano Solo Performed by Josh Ring

Arranged by Josh Ring (2015)

Original Music:
AZMON
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739
Music: Carl G. Gläser; arr. by Lowell Mason, 1839

Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Sam Stauffer Senior Recital, December 12, 2013, Illinois State University

Sam Stauffer & Jeff Byrnes – euphoniums
Nancy Pounds – piano

Tallis Variations is a theme and variations based on Thomas Tallis’ (1508-1585) chorale Why fumth in fight.  Beginning with a slow, mysterious statement of the original theme, the first variation clings to the original theme, but with a thicker, quasi-romantic texture.  In the second variation the euphoniums launch into chromatic motion with a majestic and stately piano underneath.  Everything changes in the third variation when the D minor tonic modulates to G minor.  The original melody is masked above harsh and edgy harmonies while a G pedal point remains in the piano throughout the variation.  The G pedal point remains at the start of the fourth variation, but the mood shifts to a syncopated, jazz feel.  Halfway through the variation, the pedal point finally deviates and the piece undergoes numerous instances of modal interchange.  After a slight cadenza from both euphoniums, the fifth variation begins with an incessantly annoying piano theme in mixed meter.  After the euphoniums and a grooving bass line emerge from the simple piano ostinato, the piece ends with a rhythmically driving finish.

Senior half hour recital

Tallis Variations

Composers of Olivet Concert, February 8, 2011, Olivet Nazarene University

Sam Stauffer – euphonium
Josh Ring – piano

Reflections was composed to showcase many of the possibilities of the euphonium.  Utilizing the extreme highs and lows of its range, the euphonium sings through flowing melodies and is clear and articulate on fast passages.  The piano accompaniment is derived from parallel tritones and diminished seventh chords.  Reflections is a programmatic piece that highlights the points of self-reflection.  In the beginning of the reflection, all is calm and peaceful.  Deeper into the reflection, the harshness of life emerges and all becomes chaotic.  However, in the middle of all the chaos, peace can still be found, even though the chaos will still continue.  At the end of it all, the overall reflection is still calm and peaceful, even though a few twists remain.

Reflections

Composers Recital, April 15, 2015, Northern Illinois University 

ad hoc student ensemble, Nicole Tolentino – conductor

…and return home paints the story of a journey, not unlike that of the prodigal son.  In the beginning the wanderer is lost in a frozen night.  He is beckoned to open his eyes, cease his dreaming, and come home to reality.  This piece is based on two motives.  The first motive is introduced by the sopranos and then immediately restated by tenors and basses in harmony.  The second motive is stated by the sopranos and altos, followed by a response from the tenors and basses.  At the climax of the piece, the two motives are interwoven, with the first motive in the sopranos and basses and the second in the altos and tenors.

NIU Composition Recital – Spring 2015

…and return home

Josh Ring Composition Recital, April 5, 2016, Northern Illinois University

Lenard Simpson – alto saxophone
Josh Ring – piano

What is necessary for something to be considered ‘real?’  Each of us experience a myriad of events every day that most of us would consider to be mere fantasy, and not reality:  stories, movies, daydreams, nightmares, and even the recollection of past memories.  Dreams and Memories was inspired by this divide of fictional versus factual, between truth and imaginary.  For even though these events may not be real, they still hold a strong influence over us.  And if something can affect us, how can it not be real?

In Dreams and Memories the saxophone and piano parts are seemingly unrelated, but throughout the piece they momentarily intertwine and subtly influence the other.

Dreams And Memories

Josh Ring Composition Recital, April 5, 2016, Northern Illinois University

Vicki Long – bassoon.

Based on the story of the Prodigal Son from the Bible, Prodigal is constructed through three main themes – one for each character in the story.  The father’s theme is lyrical and flowing, and is inspired by Gregorian chant.  The older son’s theme is rigid and stubborn, while the younger son’s theme is chaotic and unpredictable.  Throughout the piece each theme endures various permutations – especially the younger son – such as inversion, ornamentation, and interpolation.

Prodigal

Josh Ring Composition Recital, April 5, 2016, Northern Illinois University

Chris Hagendorn – baritone
Josh Ring – piano

“I just can’t wait for ________!”  Each of us has heard this phrase countless times.  Many of us have probably even uttered it ourselves.   If we’re always waiting for the next big thing, and that doesn’t end up fulfilling us, what then?  If we always believe today is worth less than tomorrow, what does that say about our everyday lives?  For as Ted Dekker states, “If not now, when? When will you awaken to life? Or choose to know and be known, to love and be loved? Everything happens now. It can only happen now. If not now, when?”

Waiting For More

Inlustris

Often times in life, we seek comfort above all else.  A comfortable job, a comfortable home, and comfortable lifestyle.  But frequently in these moments of comfort, we stop growing.  We cease exploring the unknown and give up on our dreams.  Disturb Us, Lord is a call to reach beyond our comfort zones and to seek new horizons.  It is based on the following poem of the same title by Sir Francis Drake from 1577:

Disturb us, Lord, when We are too well pleased with ourselves,  When our dreams have come true Because we have dreamed too little, When we arrived safely Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when  With the abundance of things we possess, We have lost our thirst For the waters of life; Having fallen in love with life, We have ceased to dream of eternity  And in our efforts to build a new earth, We have allowed our vision Of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, To venture on wider seas Where storms will show your mastery; Where losing sight of land, We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back The horizons of our hopes;  And to push into the future In strength, courage, hope, and love.

Disturb Us, Lord — MIDI

Boricua

Josh Ring is a composer, music educator, and multi-instrumentalist from the Chicago area.  He serves as organist and pianist at Batavia United Methodist Church, and is currently pursuing an Organ Performer’s Certificate from Northern Illinois University.  He earned his Master’s of Music in composition from NIU, and received his Bachelor’s of Music, summa cum laude, from Olivet Nazarene University in Music Composition and Piano Performance.  

Josh’s compositions and arrangements combine classical idioms with popular genres.  His eclectic compositional style is due to his years of experience performing with orchestras, wind symphonies, jazz bands, jazz combos, rock bands, musical theater pits, show choir combos, and assorted choirs.  He has performed extensively on piano, organ, synth & keyboard, guitar, electric bass, tuba, and bass trombone.

Josh Ring Music

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