Mikey He Writes It

Seven years ago, I wrote a song called “More Than Just A Home” for my wife. At the time, I was still newly married, no children, in college, living in a 4-plex, and writing music on my guitar in my spare time. I performed for a show called “Guitar’s Unplugged” in  2010 in Provo, UT. It’s one of the few times I ever performed one of my original guitar songs on stage.

I often spoke with my wife about the future home we would have someday with our family. I’ve always wanted to build my own home for my family. But more importantly, I’ve always wanted to create the atmosphere for a home full of happy memories, positive experiences, and a place our children can cherish and feel peace.

Since I didn’t have a home or children at the time I wrote this song in 2010, the lyrics are mainly comprised of my own memories of growing up, and what I hoped to have someday.

Now, seven years later, we have three children, built a home, sold that home, and are looking forward to another home where we currently live. The memories have began, the positive experiences are in full swing, and our children can cherish love and feel peace in our home. There’s still a long way to go, but as I reflected on this song today, I couldn’t help but feel gratitude for the blessings I’ve enjoyed. I have an amazing wife who raises our children with love and works hard to achieve her goals and fill her life with meaning, and beautiful children who bring never ending happiness and peace to my soul on a daily basis.

Is it perfect? No. Far from. Some days are terrible. But it makes the good days that much more meaningful and memorable.

I hope that when my children are grown, they can have similar positive memories of their own from their life in our home. And hopefully to them, our home will have been more than just walls and a roof, but a place where they can learn, grow, and become who they are for the rest of their lives.

Last night, I had the incredible opportunity to conduct Chugiak and Eagle River High School choirs in their performance of my composition “Oh Little Child.”

There are a lot of FIRSTS in this experience. First time I composed an original Christmas hymn. First time a choir has performed my composition. First time I’ve been invited to conduct my own composition. First time I’ve attended this concert since I was in it as a senior in high school. First time I’ve worked with a talented harpist, pianist, and violinist along with the choir. First time I’ve conducted my old choir teacher 🙂 And first time I’ve heard my little sister, Kami, sing in a choir (she’s the gorgeous dark-haired one standing right behind the harp).

This is truly an unforgettable experience for me. I couldn’t be prouder of these talented young men and women in their performance. Not only was the entire show fantastic, but they especially sounded beautiful for my song and I feel honored to have them sing it for the first time. I can’t describe how much this song means to me and is close to my heart. Thank you Chugiak and Eagle River choirs for your hard work and dedication. You are truly one-of-a-kind! And thanks to Ron Lange for making this experience possible. You are a talented musician, director, singer, comedian, and friend. You are a legend and inspiration to all youth who have passed through your choirs over the years. I definitely attribute my passion and love of music to my years of choir with you.  Thank you. What a blessing to work with you.

You can find sheet music to “Oh Little Child” and more on http://www.michaelchristensenmedia.com/music

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As we delight in this Christmas season, two of my favorite Christmas hymns find their way to my humming holiday spirit.

Away in a Manger and Silent Night.

These hymns may be considered to be some of the most popular of the Christmas season. Not only are the melodies beautiful, memorable, and uplifting, but the words of both songs have a powerful impact. These songs truly bear testimony of our Savior as a beautiful baby, born in a manger on the most sacred and holy of nights.

It amazes me that the Savior of the world would arrive in such a humble manner, almost dramatically so! To not even have a room and a proper roof over his head, or a crib or pillow to rest it on. The nature of his entrance into this world is so messianically significant, it fulfills ancient scripture, as well as instills humble faith in those that would follow Christ one day.

Perhaps not many were aware of the significance of that night at the time, but lowly and meek shepherds were the ones to greet the King of Kings into the world shortly after his birth. And later, inspired wise men from the east would follow suit. He was not a prince born of worldly noble birth, and a large nation-wide celebration was not had. Rather, a star appeared and heavenly hosts sang “Hallelujah!” Our Heavenly Father chose, as he often does, to bring about His work by small and simple means.

And small and simple are the feelings I have as I have sung these two songs throughout my life. I’ve arranged a “mashup” of both of these songs, geared towards those with tenor voices. I hope that these two songs, combined together into one, can bring a little more Christmas spirit into your home this holiday season, as we remember the birth of a babe born long ago in Bethlehem.

Merry Christmas!

You can click here or go to http://www.michaelchristensenmedia.com/music to find this arrangement under the “Free Music” section, as well as many other songs I’ve composed and arranged.

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Now that the Christmas Season is in full swing, I have an EXCITING announcement!

Next Thursday, December 15th, Chugiak and Eagle River High School Choir is having their Christmas concert at Chugiak High School! And I’ve been invited by their current director (and my director from when I was in high school) Ron Q Lange to conduct my original composition Christmas Hymn “Oh Little Child” as part of their concert! So I will be flying up to Alaska next Thursday for it!

My little sister Kami, a junior at Chugiak and member of the choir, has told me they’ve been rehearsing and it’s sounding good. I can’t wait to hear it!

For anyone who went to primary in the LDS church, “A Child’s Prayer” is probably a familiar song from the LDS Children’s Songbook. Even as an adult, this song has always been one of my favorites. It is the quiet prayer given from a child, and then a response to that prayer. The words and music, written by Janice Kapp Perry, are simple and profound.

Years ago during summer break, I was hanging out with my friend Barry Bridges at his house in Eagle River, Alaska. A little background on Barry: I met Barry when I was in middle school and he was in high school. My older brother and Barry sang in swing choir together in high school, and we found as many opportunities on the side to sing with Barry. Why??? Because Barry has an incredible voice! If you’re reading this and you know Barry, you’ve probably heard him sing and can attest to that fact. Not only does he have a gorgeous tenor and bass voice, but somehow he can hit notes that only the highest sopranos wish to attain. And it all sounds buttery smooth. Anyways, I was at Barry’s house messing around on his piano, when he told me to scoot over because he wanted to show me something. Barry wasn’t much of a pianist, but he could plunk out what he needed to to sing along. He sat down and began playing “A Child’s Prayer,” except the song Barry was playing was a little bit different.

The key was changed to fit a high tenor range, and the time signature was changed from 3/4 to 4/4. For those unfamiliar with this song, it’s designed to be a duet. The first verse is one melody, and the 2nd verse is a different melody, and for the 3rd verse, you sing both melodies together. Although we talked about it, we never had a chance to actually finish Barry’s arrangement and perform it before we went our separate ways for school at the end of the summer. It really was a beautiful song, and the changes that Barry made to the song have been stuck in my head since then.

I’ve thought about his arrangement over the years, and I always wanted to do it. So I finally sat down and wrote out my own arrangement of Barry’s arrangement of “A Child’s Prayer.” I even added additional lyrics for a 3rd verse.

Since this is a children’s song, I don’t sing it in church anymore. But every once in a while on a Sunday, I’ll be walking by the primary room with my own child in my arms and I’ll hear those angelic voices sing this beautiful song. I’m reminded that we are all children pleading to our Heavenly Father for help, and maybe even wondering sometimes if He is really there, or if He will answer our prayers. Heaven is far away, but I do feel it close around me when I pray.

So here it is, under the “Free Music” section. If you’re looking for a great tenor duet, consider this inspiring and profound children’s song.

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