I'd Rather Have Jesus — Cello Solo with Piano

Daniel J. Van Gelderen, the director of Everlasting Praise Publications, is the resident composer at Falls Baptist Church and Baptist College of Ministry. Daniel has composed and arranged over 200 works for various groups including symphony orchestra, string orchestra, concert band, choir, men’s ensemble, string quartet, and brass choir. Many of his compositions are featured on fifteen professional recordings, fourteen of which he produced. Nine of his recordings feature vocal groups that he founded and continues to direct. His headline work to date, A Christmas Gloria, was commissioned and performed in 2017 by the Bel Canto Chorus and music director, Richard Hynson. Daniel presently serves as the Artistic Director for Falls Baptist Music School and Baptist College of Ministry, a position that includes directing several large ensembles, including a symphony orchestra and a 120-voice college choir. Groups under his direction have performed such works as Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Rutter’s Gloria and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. He also serves as the Director of Productions at Falls Baptist Church, overseeing annual full-stage productions such as A Christmas Carol and A Christmas Spectacular. As a professor of music at his alma mater, Daniel teaches classes in composing and conducting. He also maintains a private cello studio offering private lessons. The ultimate goal in his training of musicians is to see them achieve excellence while learning how to use their skills to transform the lives of others.

Mary Faith Williams is on the faculty of Falls Baptist Music School, directing the organization of the piano department for the pre-college and college levels, conducting the elementary and middle school choirs, and is the stage director for the various concerts and music videos. She is also a professor of music at Baptist College of Ministry, teaching courses on hymn playing skills, keyboard arranging, pedagogy, and accompanying. She was the winner of the Chopin Piano Competition hosted in Milwaukee and in 2007, she performed Grieg’s A Minor concerto with the Wisconsin Philharmonic as the winner of the Chapman Piano Competition. As a soprano, she solos regularly with the Falls Baptist Symphony, and has notably soloed with the Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Strings at the 64th annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago. She has presented her research findings on piano pedagogy at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and many state music teacher association meetings in the Midwest. Mary Faith enjoys writing and recording music for Everlasting Praise Publications and is passionate about developing a love for music and instilling character in the next generation of music students.