Welcome to Michael Elyard Music
1963 2007
After perfoming as a full-time musician for over 25 years (including a career as a pianist in the US Air Force Band program), I have "semi-retired" to performing part-time as a substitute church organist/pianist and the occasional jazz combo gig. However, I have finally found time for arranging and composing music.
MONDAY MORNING RAMBLINGS - With my current work schedule of Tues-Fri, I have Mondays at home to practice and work on music. I decided to start recording and posting some impromptu interpretations of classic and contemporary Christian hymns. Nothing is written down, nothing is planned. I just click the "Record" button and see what happens. Hope you enjoy these informal performances.
Without Seeing You (5 Feb 2012)
By and By (30 Jan 2012)
What a Friend We Have in Jesus (30 Jan 2012)
************************
When I was at WVU from 1976-1983, I spent a lot of time at the home of a good friend and wonderful musician, Ann Custer (Mayle). Her parents, Aub and Dorie, treated all of Ann's friends like family. It must have been like "That 70's Show" when a group of us were there. Her mom (Dorie) especially liked the theme from the TV show "Taxi". Her parents have both passed on and I miss them both. Dorie - this one's for you!
************************
The big news this year is the Christmas Cantata "Is He?" that I composed with help from my wife, Beth, on the lyrics. It is scripture-based, and includes a variety of musical styles from 13th-Century plainsong to modern gospel and Latin. The cantata grew out of the solo piece of the same name, depicting Mary on the night of the birth of Jesus and how overwhelmed she must have felt. Luke 2:19 "But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart." For a sample of the music, click on the links below to listen to the piano accompaniments.
*** Please note: All Music Is Copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written permission. Thank you.
Vocal scores are available in regular printed format and as a licensed reproducible document where you can make copies for your church's use only (not to be distributed or shared). If you think your church choir may be interested in performing this cantata or any of the individual pieces, you can order vocal scores for "Is He?" by contacting me at: