Timothy L. Hoekman (b. Racine, WI, 1954) composed TEBBEN in 1979 for the text "Take My Life and Let It Be" (288), and it was first sung by the Ann Arbor (MI) Christian Reformed Church on May 13,1979. Hoekman dedicated the tune to his grandfather on his mother's side, Kasjen Tebben, who was a Christian Reformed minister for fifty-nine years. Hoekman received his education at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, Maryland; and the University of Michigan (D.MA). From 1982 to 1984 he taught at East Carolina University and since 1984 has been a professor of vocal coaching and accompanying at Florida State University, Tallahassee. He is also artistic director for the South Georgia Opera Company and assistant conductor and vocal coach for the Glimmerglass Opera Company, Cooperstown, New York. His published work includes Seven Housman Songs
(1988).
TEBBEN consists of four phrases with connecting harmonic links from one phrase to the next. This haunting tune may be sung in unison, but is particularly beautiful sung in harmony, especially when sung in two long flowing lines with a sustained tempo. See 5 for a setting of this tune in a lower key.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
