Music & Formation Fall 2022
O Giver of all breath and song
We give you thanks and praise
Redeemer of our wand’ring paths
Direct and shape our ways
With every gift that you endow
And earth’s abundant lease
With every word, through deed and craft
We labor for your peace
Forsake we now our fearful sloth
All talents brought to bear
For though our feeble acts are small
We trust your sovereign care
Our God endures. He builds, he heals
His coming is in view
In faithful presence, thus shall we
Through Christ make something new.
Culture Making Projects
Ben Buskirk | 1st Year Augustinian Seminar Playlists
Miles Ozorio “I think I’m a Kami” (Feat. Westmont)
Chloe Harber |
“Take Notes”
Christine Venzor | Élegie for Piano
This song is dedicated to my Gramps. It is not yet titled as I have not found something that fully encapsulates it or fits. Written out of raw emotion, it contains the ups and downs of life, love, and grief. One night, I just sat at the piano and played, and what came from that is now written out (with a few composer approved changes:)). The continuing work put into this piece from its initial improvisation to its current form has been a process of feeling, a realization of the complexities of emotions. There is power in music, and I hope this song exemplifies that. My hope as you listen is that you will find those little moments of joy within the deep, seemingly overwhelming stretches of melancholy.
Album Recommendations
The Sound of Madness, Shinedown
This album is intertwined in many of my favorite childhood memories. The stories they tell through their songs contain some powerful and important messages, and even though they are a rock band, they have a few songs that are softer in sound and in lyrics. On top of that they are simply fun to listen to, especially if you want to let loose and get your rock on. I hope you enjoy! – Chloe Harber
Shakey Graves on Audiotree Live (2013), Shakey Graves
This live EP kept me up past my bedtime. Gritty and dimly-lit, Shakey Graves' performance employs the beauty of dark storytelling. – Sarah Duff
A Written Testimony, Jay Electronica
A full ten years after signing to Jay-Z's record label, Roc Nation, Jay Electronica released his first studio album, "A Written Testimony," in 2020. The album is laced with Islamic references (Electronica himself is a practicing Muslim), and Jay-Z is featured numerous times throughout the album. Overall, the lyrics and production are thought-provoking and challenging. After all, he did make us wait ten years to hear what he had to say. – Miles Ozorio
Light for the Lost Boy, Andrew Peterson
Written and sung by a Christian singer, author, and poet, Andrew Peterson, Light for the Lost Boy is inspired by Marjorie Kinnan Rawling’s book the Yearling. The album explores themes of growing up, loss of innocence, and getting lost, instilling a sense of longing, hope, and wonder that speaks to the inner child in us. – Simeon Michelson
22, A Million, Bon Iver
Take a break from the acoustic/folk/unplugged/authentic world and try this one on for size! Justin Vernon’s (Bon Iver) sonically exploratory but strikingly expressive album is nostalgic, haunting, beautiful and perplexing. IMHO don’t worry about following the rather opaque lyrics. Consider how Vernon can turn vocal and sonic manipulations into expressive devices (e.g. the sonic “blips” in 22 (OVER Soon) and the vocal processing of 715 (CREEKS)). - Dr. Gee
American Heartbreak, Zach Bryan
He is one of my favorite artists! His music is soulful, and you can tell he simply loves making music and telling stories that mean something to him, and mean something to all of his listeners. – Chloe Harber
Zeal, Kings Kaleidoscope
A challenge to persistent (band leader Chad Gardner would probably say “child-like”) faith in a post-Christian deconstructing world. Besides chewing on the metaphors that Gardner uses to describe to describe a post-Christian context faith journey, consider also the role orchestra instruments play and what they might be coded for (vis a vis your typical alternative rock instruments). Finally, I’d be curious to know how you respond to how Gardner ends the album.
Incidentally, framing this album is Chad Gardner and others both participation in and eventual departure from Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill church. You can listen to a podcast episode about their band here.
For more background, KK did a nice documentary on the making of the album as well.
-Dr. Gee
Hotel TV, Lawrence
Despite only being released last year, Hotel TV has secured a place on my mental shelf of music. The brother-sister duo covers a solid amount of ground on the album: swinging from an Nsync cover to a heartfelt original written for their siblinghood. Lawrence also explores writing long distance love songs on the album which always stir up emotions in myself. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! – Joel Michelson
What's Going On (Live), Marvin Gaye
Recorded in Washington D.C. in 1972, Gaye preaches to a live audience about the Black American experience. The album touches on topics such as civil rights, the Vietnam War, and the Space Race. The live version only enhances Gaye's spiritual conviction. – Miles Ozorio
The Epic, Kamasi Washington
“A generous canvas” according to its Pitchfork review. Yeah, and a little bit more. Not for the faint of heart!
Take the plunge into this triple album of sonic glory, and drink until you’re satisfied. There’ll be plenty left for your next listen.
– Dr. Gee
The Shapes I’m in, Stephen Day
This album is a combination of pop and R&B soul. The content ranges from love songs to songs that analyze our culture today. Day is vocally talented but my favorite thing about him is that no two of his songs sound the same. I would highly suggest checking out some of his other albums as well. – Rory Nguyen
Andante Cantabile, Pyotr Tchaikovsky & Horn Concerto, Reinhold Gliere
Two incredible pieces for french horn. The Gliere concerto is one of my favorite concertos ever; it is sweeping and hopeful, buoyant yet mournful, at times feeling like it walked right out of a film score. Packed with drama, it truly showcases the versatility of the horn, from grandiose and brassy to subtle and reflective. – Kirsten Potts
Echos d'aujourd-hui
Put your eyebrows together for this one. A Mongolian album released in 2013, Echos d'aujourd-hui is still an addictive mystery to me. If anyone could offer more context or interpretation, I would greatly appreciate it! – Sarah Duff
Dark in the City, Joel Searcy
Dark in the City addresses some serious feelings of being outcast from different situations. Searcy weaves apologies and different viewpoints throughout his album, a beautiful example of what Jesus and his kingdom can look like. Enjoy! -Joel Michelson
Fern Hill, John Corigliano (Cleveland Chamber Choir)
Maybe it’s a sign of my age – but this poem about youth, innocence and the passing of time gives me shivers of delight and sadness all at the same time. Take the time to read the poem first, and see what you think of Corigliano’s musical setting. In some places I think it interprets in ways I wouldn’t go, but in other places it amplifies Thomas’ poetry powerfully: childlike joy in the world of marvels we find given to us, yet tinged with sorrow and longing as Time steals it away. – Dr. Gee
Honey Life, Graham Louis
This album fits many contexts, but none better than a windows-down Honda Odyssey in July. It's singable, danceable, and "woooo!"-at-many-key-points-during-the-song-able. – Sarah Duff
String Quartet No. 2, Alexander Borodin
Borodin's 2nd String Quartet invokes feelings of nostalgia, hope, and excitement. I feel like it especially mirrors the young college student's experience of entering a world full of new, good, and sometimes dark things, always pushing through with optimism and vigor – Sophia Chan
The Low End Theory, A Tribe Called QUest
Released in 1991, A Tribe Called Quest's second studio album, "The Low End Theory," propelled the east coast rap group into the mainstream with jazz-infused beats and quotable one-liners. – Miles Ozorio