"Heir of Endless Love"
SATB, piano, flute, clarinet, strings. The text is adapted from "The Precious Blood," a prayer from The Valley of Vision. Music by James Cheesman (ASCAP). This piece was commissioned by Ryan Showalter when he was Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Thomaston, Georgia. The live recording from my October 2014 Composition Recital is available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/james-cheesman-tx/heir-of-endless-love
The music begins contemplatively and ends triumphantly in order to accompany the mood of the text. The text to the refrain says, "Your compassion yearns over me; your heart hastens to my rescue. Your love endured my curse, and your mercy bore the stripes that I deserved."
Themes: Christ, sacrifice, depravity and sin, atonement, resurrection, grace, love of God, victory. Appropriate for any season of the year, but particularly Holy Week and/or Easter.
SATB, piano Score- ($1.50)
Instrumental Parts (flute, clarinet, string quartet, and/or string reduction)- ($20)
"Unless the Lord Builds the House"
SSATB, piano. Commissioned by my father, Larry Cheesman, Pastor of Music & Worship at First Baptist Church of Cuero, Texas, for the dedication of the newly renovated sanctuary in 2016. Words and Music by James Cheesman (ASCAP). Text adapted from Psalm 127:1 and Ephesians 2:19-22. This is a lively and rhythmic mixed-meter piece with a contrasting melodic B section. You may preview the score below.
SATB, piano Score- ($1.50)
Augustine's Conversion
This six-movement work portrays the poignant conversion story of St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD). The work features strings, brass, piano, SATB choir, and baritone solo. The work was premiered on October 17, 2014, at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The recording of the entire work is available on SoundCloud.
"Ascended on High"
SATB, Piano. Text and Music by James Cheesman (ASCAP). Commissioned by Ben Little for his graduate conducting recital, October 23, 2015, at Southwestern Baptist Theology Seminary.
The live recording from Ben Little's recital is available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/james-cheesman-tx/ascended-on-high
Themes: The life of Chirst, Ascension, Atonement, Reign of Christ.
SATB, piano Score- ($1.50)
"Alas and Did My Savior Bleed"
SATB, piano. Text by Isaac Watts and Philip P. Bliss; Music by Ralph E. Hudson and James Cheesman; Arranged by James Cheesman. Premiered by the FBC Marlin Choir in 2012. The recording from my October 2014 Composition Recital is available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/james-cheesman-tx/alas-and-did-my-savior-bleed
This piece combines a contemplative, minor setting of the familiar tune from "At the Cross," and combines it with a new musical refrain utilizing the text of "I Will Sing of My Redeemer."
Themes: Christ, sacrifice, atonement. Especially appropriate for Lent.
SATB, piano Score- ($1.50)
"Open My Eyes, That I May See"
SATB, piano, flute. Text by Clara H. Scott, music by James Cheesman. Premiered on March 5, 2013, at Ryan Showalter's Graduate Conducting Recital. Recording available here
SATB, piano, flute Score- ($1.50)
"A New Grip"
SATB, piano. Text from Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-13, New Living Translation, music by James Cheesman. Premiered at my Ordination Service at First Baptist Church, Marlin on August 12, 2012.
"Romans 10" SAB
An arrangement of my original worship song, "Romans 10," for SAB Choir. Suitable for youth or adults and would work well with guitar, bass guitar, and percussion.
Other Titles available by contact:
"Laudate Dominum" -for SATB choir and piano. Festive Latin piece; text taken from Psalm 117 and Psalm 103:1. Premiered Spring 2015 by the Southwestern Singers of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
"Augustine's Conversion" -six movement work for strings, brass, piano, baritone solo and SATB choir
"All is Well This Silent Night" -combination of "All is Well" (by Michael W. Smith) and "Silent Night" for SATB Choir
"Christmas is All in the Heart" -Steven Curtis Chapman, arr. James Cheesman
"All the Poor and Powerless" -recorded by All Sons and Daughters and The Digital Age, arranged for Youth Choir
From Rags to His Riches- A Dramatic Musical by James Cheesman and Eric Moore
Includes the following songs:
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Here We Come A-Caroling," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "From Rags to His Riches," "God of This City," "Mary, Did You Know," "All is Well This Silent Night," and "Joy to the World."