Summary: Thousands of LDS teenagers hear and sing his vocal arrangements every summer at Especially for Youth camps, but on this new album, composer and arranger Michael R. Hicks lets the instruments do the work. Hymn Creations runs the gamut of styles, featuring big celebratory arrangements like "Rejoice the Lord is King," and more contemplative performances like "I Need Thee Every Hour." In this interview Mike talks about his personal—and sometimes surprising—connection to the hymns he's chosen, about doing his best writing away from the piano, and why he thinks hymns are to music what the scriptures are to literature. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull. Playlist Come Ye Children of the Lord How Gentle God's Commands Come Thou Fount Jesus the Very Thought of Thee Amazing Grace Dearest Children God is Near You Green Hill We Thank Thee Come Follow Me Rejoice the Lord is King I Need Thee Every Hour I Know that My Redeemer LIves
