CHRIST CHURCH: SYDNOR

CHRIST CHURCH: SYDNOR

Composer: Richard W. Dirksen (1973)
Published in 4 hymnals


Audio files: MIDI

Composer: Richard W. Dirksen

Richard Wayne Dirksen (1921 - July 26, 2003) was an American musician and composer, who served as Organist and Choirmaster of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., from 1977 to 1988. Previously he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster from 1942 to 1964. In 1969, Dirksen was named the cathedral's precentor, giving him administrative oversight of all worship services until his retirement in 1991.[1] Dirksen composed extensively, mostly choral and organ works, and his music continues to be regularly featured on broadcasts from the Cathedral. His 1974 opus, Vineyard Haven, has been called "widely acclaimed as one of the finest hymn tunes of our day", by editors of hymnology.[2] Dirksen was born in Freeport, Illinois, the… Go to person page >

^ top

Tune Information

Composer: Richard W. Dirksen (1973)
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Key: D Major
Copyright: Tune © 1977, Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission
^ top

Texts

Lord of Light, Whose Name Outshineth

Lord of light, Your name outshining
All the stars and suns of space,
Use our talents in Your kingdom
As the servants of Your grace;
Use us to fulfill Your purpose
In the gift of Christ Your Son.
Go to text page >

Call Jehovah thy salvation

Call Jehovah thy salvation,
Rest beneath the Almighty's shade,
In his secret habitation
Dwell, and never be dismay'd:
There no tumult shall alarm thee,
Thou shalt dread no hidden snare,
Guile nor violence can harm thee
In eternal safeguard there.
Go to text page >

Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the Head and Corner-stone,
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Sion's help for ever,
And her confidence alone.
Go to text page >

All texts published with CHRIST CHURCH: SYDNOR^ top

Notes

Richard Wayne Dirksen (b. Freeport, IL, 1921) composed CHRIST CHURCH: SYDNOR in 1973. Rev. William Sydnor, then rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia, asked Dirksen to compose something for the church's 200th anniversary in the winter of 1974. Dirksen composed an anthem, some chant settings, and the hymn tune CHRIST CHURCH: SYDNOR for the anniversary service, and he arranged all of the music for orchestra and organ accompaniment. CHRIST CHURCH: SYDNOR is a strong tune featuring melodic repetitions in lines 1 and 2 and again in lines 3 and 4. Singing in unison or in parts, performers should feel the half-note beat and should distinguish clearly between the equal quarter-note patterns and the dotted ones. Use full-bodied organ registration, but save a special mixture or reed for the final stanza. Other instruments will add much to the jubilant singing of this psalm on festive days. HYFRYDOL (568) is a suggested alternate tune.

Dirksen received his musical training at the Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, Maryland. Holding the positions of precentor, organist, and choirmaster, he served at the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral (National Cathedral) in Washington, D.C., for more than four decades (1942-1991). Dirksen also directed the Cathedral Choral Society and the glee clubs of the St. Alban and the National Cathedral Schools. He has composed many anthems, an oratorio, and five operettas.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

^ top

Instances

Instances (4)TextImageAudioScore
Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #148TextImageAudio
Rejoice in the Lord #484Text
The Worshiping Church #699TextImage
Trinity Hymnal #664Text
All instances^ top