During my doctoral research, I interviewed many composers of church music. This week, I’m delighted to feature music by several of the people I interviewed: Faye Lopez, Molly Ijames, and Brian Büda!
About Brian Büda
As a composer for streaming educational courses at BJU Press, Brian Büda composes music and takes it all the way through production (arranging, recording, mixing and so on). He is also a prolific composer of church music like choral anthems and instrumental hymn arrangements.
Brian and I met while we were both students at BJU, and he holds the record for most unpredicted interview during my research: the coffee shop was completely packed, so we ended up driving 10 minutes to my relatives’ house, which actually turned out great because Brian played some of his compositions on the piano there—thanks for being such a good sport, Brian!
Brian Büda’s Music
I asked Brian to share some of his latest music, and he sent a full slate of music that would be fantastic for the upcoming choir year!
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Starting with the fall, Brian’s lyrical setting of the classic gospel song text “All for Jesus” (also available as a digital download) would work well on most Sundays. And his setting of “His Word, Forever Unchanging” (also available as a digital download) would be a great choice for a celebration of Reformation Sunday as the text is attributed to Martin Luther. It evokes an early American, fife and drum corps sound through optional flute and snare drum parts.
Looking ahead to Christmas—Brian has several new pieces out, including a setting of the Christina Rossetti text “Love Came Down at Christmas” (with optional string quartet; digital download) and a collection of piano hymn arrangements, “The Day of Celebration” (digital download). Another lovely Christmas anthem of Brian’s, one that won the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s Christmas Composition Contest, is “All My Heart this Night Rejoices” (digital download).
And into the spring, one of Brian’s personal favorites, “My Burden Is Light” (digital download) is an arrangement (with optional oboe) of a Fanny Crosby text that’s well-suited for Lent and Holy Week, especially Good Friday.
Last but not least, listen to “His Robes for Mine” if you’d like to hear an anthem of Brian’s that’s published by Majesty Music (a company I reference multiple times in my dissertation). The score of the anthem is available here and the congregational hymn that Brian arranged is available here.
Thanks for sharing your music with us, Brian!
