Mormon Life - Music tag

Tyler Castleton: The man behind the music

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

by Jillian Stafford - LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Songwriter, arranger, and producer Tyler Castleton has been creating the songs you love for years with big-name LDS musicians like Gladys Knight and Kurt Bestor. He’s stayed mostly hidden behind the curtain – until now.

You may not recognize the name Tyler Castleton, but odds are you’re familiar with Kenneth Cope, Gladys Knight, Kurt Bestor, and Jericho Road. Tyler Castleton has written songs and produced albums for the biggest names in LDS music—and now, he’s stepping into the spotlight himself.

Growing up in a musical family of seven boys, Castleton learned to play the piano classically at the young age of five. He learned both by reading music and playing by ear. Castleton wrote his first song for his high school graduation, calling it “a poem put to music.” He continued to write a little more on his mission, but it wasn’t until he enrolled in a songwriting class at Brigham Young University that he started to write seriously and consider a career in the music business.

He eventually studied media music at Brigham Young University. Through his education and passion for music, Castleton has been able to share his talents and fulfill his songwriting dream, as well as the dreams of artists who perform his songs, traveling to places like Los Angeles and Nashville to write music and learn from many different mentors.

In addition to writing and arranging music, Castleton is involved with many other projects that include acting as the Tour Director for the Forgotten Carols, and producing the BYU Women’s Conference Concert. He previously worked as the Director of Music at Deseret Book Company.

Hilary Weeks, whose album Every Step was the first LDS artist’s album to reach the top 10 on Billboard’s Christian Albums list, has worked closely with Castleton for years. Her recent hit “Beautiful Heartbreak” (see video below) was co-written with him. “He knows how to make a project the best it can possibly be--and he does it with dedication, commitment, and a lot of humor,” she said.

Castleton has a way of getting the very best from everyone he works with, Weeks said, and always gives his heart and soul to every project. “After years of working with Tyler, I trust and depend on his professionalism, but I am even more grateful for his kindness, sincerity, depth of character, and most of all, his friendship.”

Through songwriting, Castleton hopes to bring the spirit into his own life as well as the lives of others. He explains that the process of creating a song has two parts: “There’s a preparation side and there’s an inspiration side. . . . Once the two of those meet, then I think magical things can really happen.” Like his lyrics from Kenneth Cope's popular song "I Will Not Be Still" say, “How can I keep this gift to myself, when I can lift somebody else?” (click here to listen to the song).

Castleton sees his music gives as an opportunity to share messages about the things that mean the most to him. Now, he’s doing that in a new album titled When I Can’t Speak: The Music of Tyler Castleton.

This album contains 17 tracks that were written and produced by Castleton and pulls him out from behind the scenes and into the spotlight. The songs on the album, which released May 14th, were hand selected by Castleton and are some of his most personal and most requested. Each of them has a special place in his heart and illustrates his reason for writing. He describes the album as a “celebration of songs,” because it represents the work of so many people.

“This album is as much everyone else’s as it is mine,” Castleton said. “I feel so grateful and so blessed to have been able to work with so many talented people.”

For more information about Castleton’s new album, click here.

My husband Alex Boye receives worldwide feedback from Book of Mormon Challenge

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:33:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

My husband Alex Boye gets to sing on the beautiful red cliffs of St. George with the Piano Guys.

I get to sing "Wheels on the Bus."

Alex wipes his feet on the welcome mat of the producer's mansion before entering.

You know what I wipe.

'DWTS' finalist Katherine Jenkins to join Tabernacle Choir for Pioneer Day concert

Fri, 18 May 2012 07:25:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: Don't forget to register for tickets starting tomorrow (May 19). As far as Mormon Tabernacle Choir director Mack Wilberg is concerned, Katherine Jenkins is a renowned Welsh mezzo-soprano who has extraordinary stylistic range, having sold millions of albums worldwide while singing operatic arias, show tunes and hot popular songs with equal artistry and grace.

But American television audiences know her best as one of the current finalists on the popular TV series "Dancing with the Stars," where she is paired with Mark Ballas, a two-time "DWTS" champion.

Whether audiences know Jenkins as a singer or a dancer, Wilberg was pleased to announce Thursday morning that she will be joining the choir this summer as the featured performer for "Joy of Song," the choir's annual Pioneer Day Concert on July 20 and 21 in the LDS Church's Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Michelle King: 'Have I Done Any Good?' coming to 'Mormon Times TV'

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:01:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Service to others is essential to living a Christian life. Anytime, anyplace, we should be looking for opportunities to lift another and lighten someone’s burden. But when it’s a collective effort — where masses of people from a variety of religious, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds come together to serve, united in a common cause — it’s amazing. I saw this happen when we lived in Atlanta, and it was gratifying to see many Mormon Helping Hands reaching out to serve their communities with their neighbors.

This Sunday, on our May 20 edition of "Mormon Times TV," we’ll show you what happened when members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California joined with others of other faiths in a massive volunteer effort. And, in conjunction with that project, recording artists Alex Boye and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert will be in the studio with their new duet, “Have I Done Any Good?” It's not quite what you’re used to when you sing it in church on Sundays.

LDS singer-songwriter Calee Schroeder Reed seeks to give back with debut album 'The Waiting Place'

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:06:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Calee Schroeder Reed knows what it's like to feel the world shatter around her. For four years, she watched her mother battle the cancer that would eventually claim her life.

Throughout that difficult time, Reed developed a strong appreciation and love for Christian music — both listening to other people's and writing her own. She found comfort, and understanding, as she expressed her testimony of God through song.

"When I started writing it was as much for me as for anybody else," said Reed, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Writing was a way I could kind of sustain my own faith as I was going through this really terrible, horrible experience that kept tearing down my faith. So I started writing as a way to sort of help maintain that."

Favorite Primary songs about Mom have long history

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:13:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Sunday is Mother’s Day, and in most wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a chorus of Primary children will sing to honor mothers in sacrament meeting.

Diane Maciel, the Primary music director in a Spanish Fork, Utah, ward, let the children in her Primary choose which song from the “Children’s Songbook” they wanted to sing. After singing through several with the children, Maciel said “I Often Go Walking” and “Mother, Tell Me the Story” came out on top.

These and at least five other songs found in the LDS “Children’s Songbook” have been sung on Mother’s Day for many years. Here are some things you might not know about those songs.

Mother's Day Tribute - "She Put the Music in Me" by Calee Reed

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:41:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: Beautiful video. Grab a tissue. Hooray for good women and mothers!

Tabernacle organ heritage

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:40:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: There's a pretty photo gallery with this article. For generations, musical artists have brought forth melodic beauty from the Salt Lake Tabernacle Organ. Now, a visual artist has reflected the physical beauty of the instrument in a series of 28 paintings.

Fred D. Howard formally presented the works to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir organization April 17 during a program and reception in the Tabernacle. The audience of invited guests included current and former artists, staff and leaders associated with the organization, as well as members of the artist's family.

Alex Boye in concert to spread message of hope

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:30:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

An evening of music and entertainment will attempt to bring a “Light of Hope” to hundreds — and possibly thousands — of young people.

With Alex Boye headlining and popular artists Freddie Ashby, Clyde Bawden and Firefly appearing, the Friday, May 18, event will benefit One Life at a Time, a nonprofit organization that addresses the issues of poverty and unemployment in Central America and other third-world countries.

Wright Words: Violinist Jenny Oaks Baker stuns Pennsylvania crowd

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:07:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

I always wonder what audiences think anytime I’m on the same program with Jenny Oaks Baker. The acclaimed violinist is known for many things: Julliard, topping the Billboard charts, a Grammy nomination and performances around the world in the finest concert halls.

I’m known for a love of gummy bears and making faces on stage.

Despite this almost criminal talent disparity, we’re often on the program together on Friday nights at Time Out for Women events around the country. Jenny plays selections from her 10 albums that bring people to tears. I tell embarrassing stories about myself that bring audiences to the realization that they’re in pretty good shape after all.

Win a chance to conduct the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:30:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: What an opportunity! Don't forget to enter. The winner of the Conduct the Choir Facebook Contest will get a chance to stand at the front of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during one of its rehearsals.

To enter the contest, go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MormonTabernacleChoir, click on the Choir Video Contest tab and download the audio clip of "Ode to Joy" from the choir's latest album, "Glory!" Then record a 30- to 60-second video conducting the choir. Then enter the competition by posting it on YouTube and following the other entry guidelines posted on the contest page. The deadline is May 25.

Have I Done Any Good? Official Music Video ft. Alex Boye & Carmen Rasmusen Herbert

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:56:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: Beautiful!

The 5 Browns' sisters speak at victims of violent crimes conference

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:13:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Two female members of The 5 Browns piano quintet encouraged victims of violent crime speak out and offered advice on how to help those victims Thursday at the crime victims conference.

Deondra and Desirae Brown, sisters who make up two-fifths of the sibling piano group, said it took them years to come to terms with sexual abuse they experienced as children. Their father was sentenced last year to at least 10 years in prison for abusing his daughters.

The Piano Guys - Bourne Vivaldi

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:34:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: This is AWESOME.

Mormon organist shares talents with Catholic church

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:52:00 -0600

source: chron.com

Ben Crandall gently lifted the hand-carved top off the cherry-wood organ and laid it to the side. He reached in and pulled two flutelike tubes from the 165 wood and metal pipes inside.

He took out another smaller pipe and used a knife to gently scrape antimonial lead off the bottom. He was tuning his creation. "You have to be gentle. Too much, and you change the sound," he said.

Crandall, 36, of Sugar Land, built the portable pipe organ from his mind's eye - converting his vision to reality for the St. Helen Catholic Church in Pearland.

Osmonds visit LDS congregation in England

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:14:00 -0600

source: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Liverpool's very own “long haired lover” Jimmy Osmond dropped in with two of his brothers to speak to Merseyside worshippers during a church family night.

The visit to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Mill Bank, West Derby, came ahead of their show at the Philharmonic tonight.

Preview: Have I Done Any Good? Alex Boye and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:04:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: A behind the scenes video of LDS musicians Alex Boye and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert arranging the hymn "Have I Done Any Good?"

MTV or MTC? Choosing between good and best

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:54:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Prior to serving a Mormon mission in February 1990, I was using my talents to save for my mission. I worked in an agency that supplied artists with dancers for music videos. With that job, working at a clothing store and performing at local venues with the band I was in, I found myself fairly busy and making good money.

A week before leaving to serve a mission, I had one last gig with the band. It was quite emotional. We were very close. I was the only member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the group. When I told my bandmates I was going to serve a mission, they understood because they knew how important the LDS Church was to me.

'Treasures of the Collection' focuses on Church cultural celebrations

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:14:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Accordingly, we have had observances, festivals and customs over the years. Some, like the annual Old Folks Day, road shows and Gold and Green Balls have slipped into antiquity. Some are carried forward to this day, such as the annual Days of '47 celebration in Salt Lake City. Some are one-time but memorable events such as Church involvement in the New York World's Fair in 1964 and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Thus, the focus of this year's "Treasures of the Collection" display at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City is the Church's cultural celebrations.

The Miracle (New Easter song by Shawna Edwards)

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:35:00 -0600

source: youtube.com

Mormon Life says: Beautiful