Easter 'Celebration' is work of heart

Greg Hansen has often served as a church choir director. So when holidays come along he knows choirs are always looking for something new.

"I'm sensitive to that. I know there's a lot of good material out here. Sometimes it's just a matter of presenting it in a new way."

He was thinking about putting something together for Easter when Earl Madsen, in charge of ideas and projects for Sounds of Zion's Inspirational Music Showcase label, mentioned that he had noticed two favorite Easter hymns, "He Is Risen" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," had the same tempo, the same meter and were in the same key.

"Earl said, 'Somebody should put them together,' and I thought, 'This boy's got a good idea,' " says Hansen. His resulting arrangement does just that. "It weaves the themes in and out and ties the two songs together."

And, he says, the song makes a nice finale to an Easter program that he has put together using both music and narration. "He Is Risen: A Musical Easter Celebration" is available both as a sheet-music book (with script) and as a CD from Sounds of Zion/IMS.

The songs include an arrangement for piano and violin or flute of "I Stand All Amazed;" two SATB choral selections: the "His Is Risen" hymn medley and "Did They Know," a new song with words and music by local musician Todd McCabe; a song for a soprano/alto trio or choir called "He Knew," written by Amber LePrey; and an instrumental arrangement of "I Know My Redeemer Lives."

The narration includes scriptures as well as messages from contemporary church leaders. The total program takes about 30 minutes. The CD includes a complete version of the program as well as performance tracks and "music for family listening," says Hansen.

"The music is simple and beautiful," adds Madsen. "Usually we do a CD and then do print music. This project was a little different in that we did the sheet music first and then decided to do a CD. But it's all put together very nicely and with the words of prophets both ancient and modern makes a very nice program."

It came together so well, says Hansen, that he is working on a similar project for Christmas. But he is especially excited about this one. Easter, he says, is one of the holidays that should be celebrated with appropriate music and song. Its message, its spirit, the reason behind it are all cause to rejoice, and what better way to do it than through music?

"Easter hasn't become commercialized beyond recognition," he says. "Yes, we have the Easter bunny, but it's not nearly as big as Santa Claus. And coming, as it does, with the season of spring, it's such an uplifting, bright time of year, that the music should be bright and uplifting, too."

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