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Music Composition lessons!

Online distance learning for all ages and skill levels!

Composition lessons, Songwriting classes, Group music classes, Music theory tutoring, Piano Lessons, and more

Study with a doctor of music composition

Individual and group rates

Looking for music composition lessons, or online piano lessons? Whatever your level of musical experience, I can help you learn to create music. You can learn music theory, songwriting, harmony, counterpoint, instrumentation, notation— all the essential skills you need to be a composer, make your own music, and learn how music works.

Details and signup on my website:

https://www.ericpazdziora.com/music-composition-lessons/

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Wonder Voyage (Orchestra)

“Wonder Voyage” for orchestra (2017).

Music by Eric Pazdziora.

Reading by University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Shen Yiwen, conductor.

Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.

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New Creation: Hymns of Wonder, Love, and Praise

New Creation: Hymns of Wonder, Love, and Praise

//bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=3399283779/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/

New Creation: Hymns of Wonder, Love, and Praiseis a collection of worship songs composed by Eric Pazdziora and performed by Carrie Pazdziora (guitar, vocals), Øystein Torp (violin), and Petras (percussion). With a diverse blend of piano-centered musical stylings, it explores biblical,…

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Nativity of the Isles (SATB a cappella + soloist)

https://soundcloud.com/eric-pazdziora/nativity-of-the-isles

Nativity of the Isles

for SATB a cappella with soloist

  I. Ave Maris Stella – 0:00 II. Who Is She – 2:33 III. Many a Thing Have I Seen / Bless This Creature, Water – 5:06 IV. We Found the Maiden Walking – 8:51 V. This Is the Grey Manger – 10:42

Nativity of the Isles(2017) is dedicated to the memory of Alan and Ghalib Kurdi, and the 28…

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Two Edward Lear Songs (Baritone, Percussion, Horn)

Two Edward Lear Songs (Baritone, Percussion, French Horn) “Two Edward Lear Songs” was written for the TEMPO 72-Hour Composition Challenge at the University of Maryland NEXT/NOW Fest. Composers were given random assignments of performers, then had 36 hours to write a piece before the performers spent the next 36 hours rehearsing. My…

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Stärkebuch

Three people named Paździora are listed as prisoners in Auschwitz. Antoni Paździora (prisoner number: 1247), Franciszek Paździora (prisoner number: E-6820), and Leopold Paździora (prisoner number: 39232). Antoni is listed in the Memorial Book as murdered in Auschwitz on 22 March, 1942. Leopold was liberated and died in 1974. There’s no record of what happened to Franciszek. Leopold was one of the…

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16 little things the Bible says about immigrants

“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. The foreigner who resides with you must be to you like a native citizen among you; so you must love him as yourself, because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

“You must not exploit a foreign resident or oppress him, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.“  (Exodus 22:21)

For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in…  Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:35, 40)

Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

“You must not oppress a foreign resident; you yourselves know how it feels to be a foreigner because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9)

“I will come to you in judgment. I will be quick to testify against those who practice divination, those who commit adultery, those who break promises, and those who exploit workers, widows, and orphans, who refuse to help the immigrant and in this way show they do not fear me,” says the LORD who rules over all. (Malachi 3:5)

No stranger ever spent the night in the street, because I opened my doors to travelers. (Job 31:32)

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (1 John 3:17)

The same law will apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you. (Exodus 12:49)

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49)

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)

This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Don’t exploit or brutalize the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.  (Jeremiah 22:3)

You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 24:22)

Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. (Isaiah 58:7)

The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have wronged the poor and needy; they have oppressed the foreigner who lives among them and denied them justice. (Ezekiel 22:29)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female–for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

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Our Lady of Gun Violence Victims (recent icon)

A recent icon written by Mark Dukes. I hope it produces a very visceral reaction in you as it did me. Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Church Wall Street commissioned the icon and that is where it is displayed.

The actual full title is  “Our Lady Mother of Ferguson and All Those Killed by Gun Violence.”

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It combines Mary in the pose referencing Isaiah 7:14, a boy caught in the cross-hairs of a gun, the Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolizing His compassion for the whole world, and the Christus Victor mark symbolizing His victory over the powers which hold mankind in bondage: sin, death, and the devil.

The pose of Mary is called  Virgin Orans (the Orante, the Oranta).

Mary is shown with arms in orante [praying] position. A most popular form of this style is the “Lady of the Sign” (a.k.a. Virgin of the Incarnation, Platytera, or Panagia), in which Mary is shown with arms in orante position, with Christ enclosed in a circle in her womb. When Christ is shown in Mary’s womb like that, she is known as the “Mother of God of the Sign,” hearkening back to the words of Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.” http://fisheaters.com/images.html

Implicit in this icon, therefore, is the prophetic promise of Emmanuel - “God is with us.”

Mary is depicted as an African-American woman, implying “God is with our Black community.”  Mary also lost her son to a violent death and so she gives comfort to those left behind, since death is not the end. Mothers suffering the loss of their children unexpectedly killed can identify with the same feelings of loss and grief experienced by Mary.

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In the middle of the icon, within the circle frame common to this icon pose, we don’t see Jesus in her womb. Instead, we see a boy caught in the cross-hairs of a gun. Inside him we see the “Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

The devotion to the Sacred Heart (also known as the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacratissimi Cordis Iesu in Latin) is one of the most widely practiced and well-known Roman Catholic devotions, taking Jesus Christ’s physical heart as the representation of His divine love for humanity. This devotion is predominantly used in the Roman Catholic Church and among some high-church Anglicans and Lutherans. The devotion is especially concerned with what the Church deems to be the love and compassion of the heart of Christ towards humanity, and its long suffering.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart

The Sacred Heart is surrounded by a crown of thorns, with further implications of suffering and self-sacrificial love for all.

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The hands of the boy are in the praying posture called ‘Orans.’ It’s the sacrificial position priests take at the Eucharist. https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/orans_posture.htm

The posture of the boy’s hands echo the same posture in the hands of Mary.

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Within the victim’s elbow bends are a ‘C’ and a ‘V’ = Christus Victor.

According to the Christus Victor theory of the Atonement, Christ’s death defeated the powers of evil, which had held humankind in their dominion. It is a model of the atonement that is dated to the Church Fathers, and it, or the related ransom theory, was the dominant theory of the Atonement for a thousand years, until Anselm of Canterbury supplanted it in the West with his Satisfaction theory of atonement. “The work of Christ is first and foremost a victory over the powers which hold mankind in bondage: sin, death, and the devil.” This view of the Early church (Christus Victor) is rooted in the Incarnation and how Christ entered into human misery and wickedness and thus redeemed it. Aulén argues that the Christus Victor view of the Atonement is not so much a rational systematic theory as it is a drama, a passion story of God triumphing over the Powers and liberating humanity from the bondage of sin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christus_Victor

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I found this icon in a FB post by Fr. James Martin, SJ. He wrote,

Our Lady prays for all who are targeted by gun violence: African-Americans [and others], the poor and marginalized, and police officers.

All are her children.

All are our brothers and sisters.

Let us ask Our Lady to pray for us.

https://www.facebook.com/FrJamesMartin/photos/a.139618381495.120357.46899546495/10153602339836496/?type=3&theater

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I’m Protestant and don’t pray to Mary. But, I find this a powerful image which can move me to prayer in a Protestant manner. The combination of the two figures, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Christus Victor symbol is greater than the sum of its parts.

Themes of the Incarnation of Christ and the Passion of Christ are strongly implicit, though He is not overtly present in the icon. Those themes bring with them associated theological truths implied in the icon such as: * God took on flesh as a helpless child. * God suffered as a human. * Christ suffered as an innocent victim. * Christ was unjustly killed by the combination of the evil actions of one man plus the evil systems that rule the world through power of violence, selfishness and intimidation. * Christ conquered the power of death. * Christ overcame the power of violence and the power of evil. * Christ is likewise the Victor over the sins of each individual.

At first viewing, the icon overtly speaks of death through the image of the gun crosshairs. But through closer examination, icon study and meditation, it becomes obvious that it is actually an icon of Hope.… and specifically, of Hope in the Incarnation (”Emmanuel”), Passion, and Resurrection of Christ Jesus the Victor.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, symbolizing His compassion and love for the whole world - even for His enemies - even for those who killed Him - still beats whole and undimmed, and will continue to do so even after the boy in the middle of the is shot. Death does not have the last word. “Hope in Christ” is the last word portrayed in this powerful icon.

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My Roman Catholic and Orthodox friends, and blog readers, can use this prayer icon in the way they see fit. Protestants can meditate and pray as they see fit as well.

This has been an exercise in ‘Imago Divina,’ meditating on an image to perceive and experience the Divine Truth. For more on this Christian practice, see http://www.unforcedrhythms.org/a-still-centre/resources-for-contemplative-prayer/imago-divina-prayer-praying-with-an-art-image/

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Note: the image was posted on FB today by Father James Martin SJ, as I mentioned above. The comments on it are approaching 200 comments, many of strongly held opinions, both very positive and very negative reactions. For my own opinion, I agree with this comment: “I am surprised by those who feel the imagery of their faith has been hijacked. My faith centers on a marginalized agitator who was murdered by agents of the government and whose mother grieved.”

And this FB comment: “It’s provocative, edgy, and forces you to think and reflect on the state of the world and the conditions of others while inviting you to prayer. Sounds *exactly* like what Jesus did. I think it’s fantastic.”

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Jesus, What a Friend For Sinners (new melody)

Eric Pazdziora set this hymn text from 1910 to the tune “Nettleton” by John Wyeth (1825). The tune is commonly used with the lyrics ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.’

Hymns and Lamentations by Eric Pazdziora

Jesus! what a friend for sinners! Jesus! lover of my soul; Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He, my Savior, makes me whole. REFRAIN: Hallelujah! what a Savior! Hallelujah! what a friend! Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end. Jesus! what a strength in weakness! Let me hide myself in Him; Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing, He, my strength, my victory wins. [Refrain] Jesus! what a help in sorrow! While the billows o'er me roll, Even when my heart is breaking, He, my comfort, helps my soul. [Refrain] Jesus! I do now receive Him, More than all in Him I find, He hath granted me forgiveness, I am His, and He is mine. [Refrain]

from Hymns and Lamentations, released July 21, 2015 Text: J. Wilbur Chapman, 1910. Tune: “Nettleton”, John Wyeth, 1825. Arrangement: Eric Pazdziora, © 2015 

Eric Pazdziora is a composer, pianist, writer, and worship leader, with works published and performed in a wide variety of venues. He holds an M.M. in music composition from the University of North Carolina—Greensboro, and a B.Mus. in sacred music composition from Moody Bible Institute. He now teaches music theory at the  University of Maryland.

Art found at http://flowersgoneoff.blogspot.com/2012/10/jesus-friend-of-sinners.html

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‘Pass Me Not’ (Eric Pazdziora)

I really like the creative piano arrangements that Eric Pazdziora gives to songs old and new.  Here’s his jazzy retuning of a Fanny Crosby hymn from around 1868. 

Hymns and Lamentations by Eric Pazdziora

The song is from Eric’s album ‘Hymns and Lamentations’ (2015). http://mp3.ericpazdziora.com/album/hymns-and-lamentations

Pass me not, O gentle Savior! Hear my humble cry; While on others thou art calling, Do not pass me by. REFRAIN: Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry! While on others thou art calling, Do not pass me by. Let me at thy throne of mercy Find a sweet relief; Kneeling there in deep contrition, Help my unbelief. [Refrain] Trusting only in thy merit, Would I seek thy face; Heal my wounded, broken spirit, Save me by your grace. [Refrain] Thou the spring of all my comfort, More than life to me, Whom have I on earth beside thee, Whom in heaven but thee? [Refrain]

from Hymns and Lamentations, released July 21, 2015 Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1868. Music: “Pass Me Not”, William H. Doane. Arrangement: Eric Pazdziora © 2015. 

Eric Pazdziora DMA Student, Music Composition Graduate Assistant, Music Theory University of Maryland School of Music http://www.ericpazdziora.com

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Ash Wednesday by Christina Georgina Rossetti

My God, my God, have mercy on my sin, For it is great; and if I should begin To tell it all, the day would be too small To tell it in.

My God, Thou wilt have mercy on my sin For Thy Love’s sake: yea, if I should begin To tell Thee all, the day would be too small To tell it in.

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I'm 14 and I dream of becoming a writer, do you have any advice on what I can do for now so that when I 'grow up' I can achieve my dream?

First of all, you need to read. Read everything you can lay your hands on. Read the ‘classics’ in whatever areas of writing you want to work in, so you know what the high points are. Read outside your areas of comfort, so you know what else is out there. Read.

Second, try things out. Enjoy yourself. If you find a writer you like, write like them. And then sound like something else. Write anything. Don’t worry about it being good or read by other people. Just play, and play a lot. 

Third, read books on writing, use anything that seems interesting and ignore anything that you want to. When I was a boy, I remember the delight with which I found a book called THE CRAFT OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Reginald Bretnor with essays by a bunch of writers, although the only things I’ve used (I think) were John Brunner’s descriptions of the different shapes of stories, and Larry Niven’s advice to treasure your typos (which is where CORALINE came from). 

Fourth, live as much as you can. The more things you see, the more places you go, the more lives you touch, the more you will be able to write truthfully, and the more memories you will have to make your imaginings real.

Don’t let people discourage you. (You are under no obligation to tell anyone you are going to be a writer.) You are not on anyone’s timeline. You can get a job  that’s a writing job, or get a different sort of job: neither of these things matter in the long run. Just know that you are going to have to make the time to write.

Beyond that, you are on your own. And, when it’s you in front of a screen or a blank piece of paper, that’s the way it’s always going to be.

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This is a choral piece I composed in honor of Lydia Charity Schatz, who was killed by parents who followed abusive religious doctrines. It will be premiered this spring in Seattle by Chorosynthesis for their concert event “Empowering Silenced Voices.” For more information, see this link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chorosynthesis/empowering-silenced-voices-with-chorosynthesis-sin

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And how's your semester finishing up?

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Here's the most exuberant thing you will see all day. #UptownFunk #FredAstaire http://youtu.be/M1F0lBnsnkE

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16 little things the Bible says about immigrants

“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. The foreigner who resides with you must be to you like a native citizen among you; so you must love him as yourself, because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

“You must not exploit a foreign resident or oppress him, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.“  (Exodus 22:21)

For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in…  Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:35, 40)

Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

“You must not oppress a foreign resident; you yourselves know how it feels to be a foreigner because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9)

“I will come to you in judgment. I will be quick to testify against those who practice divination, those who commit adultery, those who break promises, and those who exploit workers, widows, and orphans, who refuse to help the immigrant and in this way show they do not fear me,” says the LORD who rules over all. (Malachi 3:5)

No stranger ever spent the night in the street, because I opened my doors to travelers. (Job 31:32)

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (1 John 3:17)

The same law will apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you. (Exodus 12:49)

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49)

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)

This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Don’t exploit or brutalize the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.  (Jeremiah 22:3)

You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 24:22)

Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. (Isaiah 58:7)

The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have wronged the poor and needy; they have oppressed the foreigner who lives among them and denied them justice. (Ezekiel 22:29)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female–for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

[ericpaz]

At the arraignment, Video claimed extreme provocation when he discovered the victim had allegedly plagiarized his second symphony.

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At risk of seriously dating myself… eh, what the heck, why not! —Narcissus