Roundtree Music

I began arranging music as a teenager, writing for my high school pep band and for musicians I played with at McLean Bible Church.  As a college music student, I noticed that my friends did not have the same ability to arrange music – something that comes so naturally to me.  It dawned on me that the Lord has given me a unique talent, and I began to study orchestration and arranging to develop this gift.  During my 18+ years of working at McLean Bible Church, I have received feedback from orchestra members and through collaborating with staff worship leaders.  All of you have helped to hone and refine my skills.

But all of this work was with existing musical material written by others.  It wasn’t until I started collaborating with Dan Rebeiz on video soundtracks at the church that I began to have original musical ideas.  It was my friend Don Palmire that pushed me into serious composition by offering me my first commission. In composing Fantasy on CHARGE for Euphonium Choir, I wrote about my impressions surrounding the birth of my second daughter, who has CHARGE Syndrome.  I followed this composition with Quartet No.1 for Trombones, which depicts four scenes from the Bible from creation to the end of the world.  I had finally found a path to composition.

As I approached my 40^th birthday, I was influenced by two people who had used this milestone to take up a new instrument: my friend Frank Voltz, who learned harp, and Phil Roundtree, my father, who took up the banjo.  As I thought about what I would do, I ruled out taking up another instrument.  I decided to take my new compositional interest to a new level – I decided to write a Symphony!  It was a joy to spend four separate weeks over the next year in seclusion outside Charlottesville, Virginia, to write music inspired by some of my heroes.  Next came the dream to perform and record the symphony and other music I have arranged.

To go from composing music in a room by myself to conducting a live performance of my music by the Worship Orchestra of Washington has been an amazing journey.  It has been such a treat to work with world-class musicians on this concert.  I am also honored to work with the Liya Dovgalyuk Foundation on this project, and to give the entire proceeds to their musical and special needs work in Ukraine.

This recording is a dream come true!  Thank you for being part of that dream.

Ben Roundtree

Composer and Conductor, Worship Orchestra of Washington

02. In Christ Alone – Stuart Townend, Keith Getty | arranged by Ben Roundtree and Yevgeniy Dovgalyuk (4:04) | Yevgeniy Dovgalyuk, violin soloist

Symphony No. 1 in D, “Heroes” – Ben Roundtree | © 2015 Benjamin P. Roundtree

03.    I.    Greatness Through Humility – dedicated to Samuel Hsu (7:14)

04.    II.   Apprentice Maker – dedicated to Bill Fasig (7:42)

05.    III.  Live By Faith – dedicated to Randy Haynes (4:30)

06.    IV.  Dwell Together In Unity – dedicated to Angie Hunter and Chris Woods (4:37)

07.    V.   Enjoy the Day – dedicated to Tim Zimmerman (6:36)

08. Awakening – Reuben Morgan, Chris Tomlin | arranged by Ben Roundtree (5:32)

09. The Story of Liya Dovgalyuk (4:53) | John Banther, narrator

10. Prayer of Ukraine – Oleksandr Konysky, Mykola Lysenko | arranged by Ben Roundtree (2:08)

11. Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) – Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash | arranged by Ben Roundtree (4:28) | Ben Lashey, worship leader

12. Cornerstone – Reuben Morgan, Nigel Hendroff, Ben Fielding | arranged by Ben Roundtree (4:11) | Ben Lashey, worship leader

13. All Hail the Power with Toss the Feathers – arranged by Ben Roundtree (3:58) | Martha Haines, worship leader

14. Manifesto – Elias Dummer, Eric Fusilier, Aaron Powell, Josh Vanderlaan | arranged by Ben Roundtree (3:57)

All sheet music is published by Roundtree Music here.

Great I Am

All human beings have a desire to be part of something greater than ourselves.  We want to be part of some epic story.  This song talks about the God who spoke to Moses through a burning bush and said, “I am who I am.”  For all of eternity, those who have trusted in the sacrifice of Jesus will be part of something bigger than ourselves, as we worship around the throne of God.

In Christ Alone

This modern hymn by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty tells the whole story of the Gospel, beginning with Christ as the Cornerstone of faith.  The solo violin tells the heroic story of how God came to earth, was born as a baby, was rejected, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead.  “And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.”  The story finishes with how we can live with “no guilt in life, no fear in death.”  We are not reliant on our own good works, but our hope is found In Christ Alone.

Symphony No. 1 in D, “Heroes” (comments by the composer)

This symphony is dedicated to musical and spiritual mentors who took me under their wing.  Each of the five movements is inspired by a life, a story, a character trait that made an impact on me as a musician and as a follower of Jesus Christ.  I recently read a book that said this about heroes:

The ancient Greeks had Plutarch’s Lives and in the sixteenth century we got Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. The message in these and similar books was that these lives were great and worthy of emulation. Having role models and heroes was historically a vital way of helping a new generation know what it should be aiming at… So the idea of having heroes and role models has historically been very important; but as I say, somehow this has changed in recent years. (Eric Metaxas, “Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness”)

So this composition is my way of telling stories about some of my heroes.  They made a deliberate choice to invest their lives in me, and helped turn my interest into desire, my talent into craftsmanship, and my potential into reality.  None of them is perfect, but their impact as mentors is worthy of emulation.

The first movement, “Greatness Through Humility,” is dedicated to Samuel Hsu.  When I went to the Csehy Summer School of Music as a teenager, I got to know the virtuosic pianist, Dr. Hsu.  I listened to him around the dinner table, expecting to hear stories of musical conquests and famous people he had worked with.  But instead he talked of spiritual things and of how to know God more deeply.  He was a humble man who made everyone feel that he was honored to be their friend.  This movement includes grand heroic themes, but also a quiet and simple moment for solo piano with a melody so humble that it only uses one note.

Bill Fasig is the inspiration for the second movement, entitled “Apprentice Maker.” He was an organist, pianist, and audio engineer for Billy Graham, and without my knowing it, he began to teach me to be an arranger and orchestrator.  I spent time at his house learning to copy music with a calligraphy pen, listening to master composers, and learning to use a computer to write music.  To honor Bill, I wanted to write something that sounds like organ music and includes variations on a hymn tune that I composed.

The third movement is a scherzo, or a musical joke.  “Live By Faith” is a tribute to Randy Haynes, who maintains a quirky sense of humor (as heard in the slow march) along with his tireless work for God.  Barry Banther wrote, “When leaders take the risk to place their confidence in us, even before we have earned it, it gives us the strength to face adversity without excuse.  It gives us the courage to live beyond our self-imposed limits!” (Barry Banther, “A Leader’s Gift”)  While I was a counselor at the Csehy Summer School of Music, Randy put me in situations where I had to trust God beyond the previous limits of my faith.  I saw my faith grow exponentially through this kind of experience.

The fourth movement, “Dwell Together In Unity,” honors the co-leaders of Eurobrass, Angie Hunter and Chris Woods.  Concertgoers often say that the music of this 12-member chamber ensemble is more powerful because of the spirit that is evident in our interactions both on and off the stage.  This musical and spiritual unity is described in Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”  This movement has some dissonance, just like everyone has differences of personality, culture, and experience; but that strife gives way to a beautiful chorale signifying the unity possible in the body of Christ.

The symphony closes with a tribute to trumpet soloist and brass leader Tim Zimmerman.  “Enjoy the Day” has some of the excitement and energy that are hallmark of a King’s Brass concert.  Before the big ending of the movement, there is a violin cadenza that is reminiscent of the invitation Tim gives at his concerts.  It is followed by a trumpet solo with piano with the rest of the brass joining in and building up to a rousing finale.  I am thankful for a mentor who encouraged me to find out what I love to do and to find a way to make a living doing it.

Awakening

This song asks the God to bring His presence and power alive in our individual hearts and in our nations.  The orchestra builds from stillness to overwhelming grandeur as the lyric says, “From the darkness comes a light.  Awake, my soul; awake, my soul, and sing.”  What our countries need most is not something political but something spiritual.  Let us pray that the Lord would bring spiritual awakening around the world, beginning in our hearts.

Prayer of Ukraine

Beyond the heroes of the symphony, there is another hero woven into the fabric of this music. She was the hero I never met, but whose life has impacted me and many others. Liya Dovgalyuk was a young violinist from a musical family growing up in Latvia at the end of the Soviet era. She moved to the United States with her family after the fall of Communism, and continued performing with her family until she was diagnosed with cancer. Through her sickness she was an inspiration to many and she continued to perform when she was able.

After she lost her battle with cancer, Liya’s family and members of McLean Baptist Church founded the Liya Dovgalyuk Foundation. I have led a mission trip to Liya Music Camp in Ukraine and was inspired to bring Liya Music Camp-USA to McLean Bible Church.

Prayer of Ukraine is the national spiritual song of Ukraine, and is analogous to “America the Beautiful.”  This performance is in memory of Liya and in honor of the people of Ukraine. Please pray that peace and justice will rule in their country.

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)

One of the goals of this project is to show what can happen when you bring together great classical musicians with great rock musicians for the purpose of uniting in worship to the Lord and to lead congregational singing.  Psalm 33:3 says, “Sing to [the Lord] a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.”  In the spirit of this verse, these musicians unite to sing and play to the Lord new songs of this generation.  As we play together with all the skills the Lord has given us, we hope you will be inspired to worship with what the psalmist calls “a shout of joy.”  

This song reminds us that no matter what fear, sickness, tragedy, or hard times come our way, we know that we can have a personal relationship with the God who commands angel armies.  II Kings 6 tells how when the king of Aram had surrounded the city, Elisha’s servant asked him what they should do.  “So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’  Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”  With this God of angel armies by our side, we can hold onto God’s promises because He is faithful.

Cornerstone

This is a modern setting of one of the greatest hymns ever written, The Solid Rock.  It talks about how our hope as believers is not based on wishful thinking or blind optimism, but on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.  The writers of this version bring together the old and new in a way that honors both and reminds us that the cornerstone of our faith is “nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

All Hail the Power with Toss the Feathers

This jubilant and triumphant hymn, written by a Church of England minister and friend of the Wesley brothers, is paired here with the lively Irish reel, Toss the Feathers.  I have been introduced to this music by Irish Whistle player Bob Pegritz, and we have created arrangements of folk melodies joined with traditional hymns for use in worship services.  Bob’s influence can also be heard in several parts of the symphony.  This arrangement for congregational singing combines the infectious joy of the reel with the powerful and majestic hymn.

All hail the power of Jesus’ name! | Let angels prostrate fall; | Bring forth the royal diadem, | And crown Him Lord of all!

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race, | Ye ransomed from the fall; | Hail Him who saves you by His grace, | And crown Him Lord of all!

Let every kindred, every tribe | On this terrestrial ball, | To Him all majesty ascribe, | And crown Him Lord of all!

O that with yonder sacred throng | We at His feet may fall! | We’ll join the everlasting song, | And crown Him Lord of all!

Manifesto

This modern worship song brings together texts that express what Christians have in common.  It is taken from the traditional Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer.  The Worship Orchestra of Washington also has musicians from different churches, and we find common ground as we unite to use our musical gifts to honor and glorify God.  So we close with the words to the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. | Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. | Give us this day our daily bread. | And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. | And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: | For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Ben Roundtree has contracted or conducted orchestral events with artists Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Martina McBride, Lexi Walker, Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, Jaci Velasquez, Nic Gonzales, Wayne Watson, and David Hamilton at the Kennedy Center and in churches around Washington, DC. Ben is also a composer, arranger, brass and handbell musician, and publisher.

He is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia, Assistant Director of The Dominion Brass, Tuba and Bass Trombone player with Eurobrass, and self-publisher of sacred and classical music at RoundtreeMusic.com.

Yevgeniy Dovgalyuk, a native of Riga, Latvia, began studying violin at the age of six. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance at the University of Maryland, studying with Dr. James Stern. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from George Mason University. His teachers have included NSO violinists Pavel Pekarsky and Peter Haase.

Mr. Dovgalyuk is a Concertmaster with Piedmont Symphony as well as the American Studio Orchestra, and Associate Concertmaster with the American Festival Pops Orchestra. He regularly performs with the National Symphony Orchestra, Fairfax Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, and is the founder of the Liya Ensemble.  He is actively involved with Liya Music Camp in the USA and Ukraine, as well as the Liya Dovgalyuk Foundation, in memory of his sister. He has performed throughout the USA and Europe, including Sweden, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Latvia, and Russia.

Ben Lashey is a musican, songwriter, worship leader, husband and father.  His latest recording, “A Light Breaks” was released in 2013 and he has served on the staff of McLean Bible Church for over 10 years.

Martha Haines leads worship at many of the McLean Bible Church campuses, and in 2012 released her first EP, “Finding My Way.”  She is currently a sales manager at a website design firm.

The Worship Orchestra of Washington is made up of professional musicians playing music to glorify God and benefit Christian ministries.  The orchestra plays with a beautifully blended sound and with a spiritual unity that flows from the many who are followers of Jesus Christ. Its members play in military bands, professional orchestras, and churches in and around Washington, DC.  The orchestra has performed at McLean Bible Church and as the True North Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center with artists including Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Hamilton, and Camp Kirkland.

Conductor ▪ Ben Roundtree

Violin 1 ▪ Yevgeniy Dovgalyuk-Concertmaster, Wayman McCoy, Michelle Ruiz, Jehshua Karunakaran, Semyon Ziskind, Steven Natrella, Mihail Balasa, Thomas Gardner, Anna Kong, Mary Thulson

Violin 2 ▪ Michelle Haines, Rosanna Louie-Juzwiak, Becky Fulton, Shearom Chung, Lerna May-Frandsen, Emily Sweet, Susan Jones, Joy Schmidt

Viola ▪ Kate Dovgalyuk, Jonathan Jones, Kristin Gomez, Stanley Beckwith, Tiffany Richardson

Cello ▪ Denna Purdie, Igor Sarmientos, Ryan Nobles, Michael Thomas, Stephanie Herman, Pavel Dovgalyuk

String Bass ▪ Bill Maron, Gary Richardson, Kimberly Parillo

Flute ▪ Susan Bour, Cynthia Rugolo-Piccolo, Sharie Stegeman, Erin Roundtree

Oboe ▪ Robert Huffman, H David Meyers, Trevor Mowry

Clarinet ▪ Mike Knight, Matt Sikes

Bassoon ▪ Hank McCulley

Horn ▪ Brad Tatum, Shane Iler, Cheryle Sager, Alex Kovling

Trumpet ▪ Kevin Gebo, Bruce Stanly, Marvin Haines, John Powlison

Trombone ▪ Bryan Bourne, Greg Freeman, Zenas Kim-Banther, Dana Landis-Bass

Euphonium ▪ Don Palmire

Tuba ▪ John Banther

Timpani ▪ Don Spinelli

Percussion ▪ Glen Gurnard, Kristin Morgan, Martha Haines, Nate Reed

Harp ▪ Francesca Savoia

Piano ▪ Gaby Siegel

Host ▪ John Banther

Music Librarian ▪ Marci Ward

Worship Leaders ▪ Ben Lashey, Martha Haines

Keyboards ▪ Gabe White

Drums ▪ Nate Reed

Bass ▪ Andrew Dunbar

Guitar ▪ Wayne LeRiche

Production Team ▪ Tony Aiello, Neil Arey, Tony Alany, Brian Archer, Joey Burdette, Craig Campesi, Greg Loizou, Daniel McEwen, George Morgan, Cheryl Rice, Robby Tolosa

Camera Team ▪ Pam Rockx-Director, Alan Coello, Cindy Kwitchoff, Stephanie Madison, Donald Park, Mary Proctor, Pete Rockx, Will Whitehouse

Thank You

To those who influenced the writing of the Symphony:

Frank & Margaret Donivan for the use of their house on the lake to compose,

Frank Voltz and Philip Roundtree for the inspiration to do something new at 40,

Don Palmire for commissioning my first composition,

Daniel Barta for a pivotal conversation about composing,

Mikhail & Lyuba Dovgalyuk, Timofey, Yevgeniy, Pavel, and Liya for demonstrating faith in action,

Philip & Susan Roundtree for being proud of me and always supporting my music,

and Erin Roundtree and our girls for helping me to be who I am today.

To those who supported the concert and recording: Marty McCall, Ben Lashey, Martha Haines, Jennifer Jenkins, Marci Ward, Alyce Metallo, Dan Rebeiz, Elisa Rice, Lyuba Dovgalyuk, Timofey Dovgalyuk, Yevgeniy Dovgalyuk, Ashley Arey, David Kent, Will McGee, Marvin Haines, Dana Bigelow, Bill Douglas, Cory Thurman, Sue Langlie, Dale Sutherland, and Lon Solomon.  Thanks to partner organizations McLean Bible Church, Tysons Worship, Roundtree Music, Children’s Fund, and the Liya Dovgalyuk Foundation.

Recorded in the Main Auditorium at McLean Bible Church, Vienna, Virginia on October 23, 2015

Recording Engineers: Tony Alany, Brian Archer

Produced by Ben Roundtree, Tony Alany, Brian Archer, Bryan Bourne, Zenas Kim-Banther

Front of House Audio: Tony Alany

Monitors Audio Engineer: Joey Burdette

Mixing and Post Production by Tony Alany at Brown Dog Studios

Graphic Design by Ashley Arey

Liner Notes by Ben Roundtree

Quote taken from “Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness” by Eric Metaxas Copyright © 2013 by Eric Metaxas. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

© 2015 Benjamin P. Roundtree