"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you" begins D&C 88:63. My ears immediately perk up when a scripture is quoted in General Conference that I have set to music. President Henry B. Eyring quoted the rest of the verse as well. "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
This verse provided a powerful point of inspiration to set it to music. I must have been in a very Mendelssohn mode, though. I may have been singing or studying some of his works. I don't remember now, but it seems pretty obvious.
For those of us who have classical vocal training, we need the challenge of singing music that exercises our musical ranges. In the mid 2000's, I was looking for opportunities to sing music that harkened to the great masters but took their texts from the Book of Mormon or modern prophets. So I began writing some of my own. During that time, I wrote some Choral, and Solo and Duet works that had texts from prophets such as Isaiah, Nephi, Mosiah, Alma, Joseph Smith, and quotes from the Savior as recorded in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.
This verse provided a powerful point of inspiration to set it to music. I must have been in a very Mendelssohn mode, though. I may have been singing or studying some of his works. I don't remember now, but it seems pretty obvious.
For those of us who have classical vocal training, we need the challenge of singing music that exercises our musical ranges. In the mid 2000's, I was looking for opportunities to sing music that harkened to the great masters but took their texts from the Book of Mormon or modern prophets. So I began writing some of my own. During that time, I wrote some Choral, and Solo and Duet works that had texts from prophets such as Isaiah, Nephi, Mosiah, Alma, Joseph Smith, and quotes from the Savior as recorded in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.
Break Forth into Joy
By Small and Simple Things
Come Sing to the Lord
Counsel with the Lord in All Thy Doings
How Exquisite was My Joy
Keystone of Our Faith
My Promised Land
O That I Were an Angel
Dedication
By Small and Simple Things
Come Sing to the Lord
Counsel with the Lord in All Thy Doings
How Exquisite was My Joy
Keystone of Our Faith
My Promised Land
O That I Were an Angel
Dedication
Draw Near Unto Me was a piece that started life as a Soprano solo. Then it became a Choral piece with a part for a soprano or tenor soloist. Then it morphed into a duet for Soprano and Baritone. I had always planned on recording it, but life got in the way. I actually haven't thought about it in years.
But when President Eyring quoted that verse in Conference, the words and music came flooding back into my mind.
He told how the promise made by the Savior in that verse was the prelude to many revelations. That reminded me of when I was trying to write this piece. I felt that it needed a companion scriptural quote to fill it out. So I searched through many references to prayer in the Doctrine and Covenants. When I came across D&C 98:1-2, I knew that was what I should use. I felt like I was taking dictation and it was hard to write fast enough to keep up with inspiration.
Enjoy "Draw Near Unto Me" Duet for Soprano and Baritone
But when President Eyring quoted that verse in Conference, the words and music came flooding back into my mind.
He told how the promise made by the Savior in that verse was the prelude to many revelations. That reminded me of when I was trying to write this piece. I felt that it needed a companion scriptural quote to fill it out. So I searched through many references to prayer in the Doctrine and Covenants. When I came across D&C 98:1-2, I knew that was what I should use. I felt like I was taking dictation and it was hard to write fast enough to keep up with inspiration.
Enjoy "Draw Near Unto Me" Duet for Soprano and Baritone
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